LC Calculation and Cargo Lashing Angles

📦 LC Calculation and Cargo Lashing Angles

Practical guide: how to correctly calculate lashing forces and improve transport safety

Cargo securing is not “by eye” and not “how we always did it”. It is physics, standards, and precise calculation.

With more than 30 years of experience in logistics and cargo securing equipment, we have seen dozens of accidents, fines, and damaged cargoes caused by one main reason — incorrect LC calculation and ignoring lashing angles.

In this guide you will learn:

• what LC really means and how it actually works

• how the lashing angle reduces securing force

• calculation formulas

• how to calculate the number of straps

• why anti-slip mats can reduce the number of straps by 2–3 times

🔧 What is LC in cargo securing

LC (Lashing Capacity) is the maximum allowable working load of a lashing strap or chain in straight pull.

Example:
LC 2500 daN ≈ 2500 kg securing force.

⚠ Important:
The LC shown on the label is not the real securing force if the strap is used at an angle.

📐 How lashing angle reduces strap effectiveness

The bigger the angle between the strap and the loading platform, the lower the useful force holding the cargo against movement.

Effective force formula:

Fₑff = LC × cos(α)

where:
LC — rated lashing capacity
α — angle between strap and floor
cos — cosine of the angle

Angle influence example:

A strap with LC 2500 daN at 60° works as only 1250 daN.
At 75° — only 650 daN.

🧮 Main cargo securing calculation formula

According to EN 12195-1, the securing force is calculated as:

👉 F = m × g × c

In daily practice, it is simplified to:

F (daN) = Cargo weight (kg) × acceleration coefficient

Standard coefficients:

• forward: 0.8

• backward: 0.5

• sideways: 0.5

• upward: 0.2

📊 Practical LC calculation example

Cargo: 10,000 kg
Risk direction: forward
Coefficient: 0.8

10,000 × 0.8 = 8,000 daN

This is the minimum securing force the system must provide.

Taking the strap angle into account

Strap LC: 2500 daN
Angle: 60°

Fₑff = 2500 × 0.5 = 1250 daN

Calculating the number of straps

8000 / 1250 = 6.4

👉 Minimum 7 straps (in one direction only).

🟩 Anti-slip mats — the most underestimated securing element

One of the most powerful ways to reduce the number of straps is to increase friction between the cargo and the platform.

Without mats, the friction coefficient is usually:

• metal on wood: ~0.2

• pallet on floor: ~0.3

With anti-slip mats:

• 0.6 – 0.8

This means:

👉 up to 70% of the securing force is generated by friction,
👉 and straps no longer work alone, but mainly as stabilisers.

How anti-slip mats reduce the number of straps

Without mats:
Almost all securing force must be provided by straps.

With mats:
Part of the force is held by friction.

Example:

Cargo: 10,000 kg
Friction without mats: 0.3
With mats: 0.6

Difference in securing force: 3000 daN

This equals approximately:

👉 2–3 lashing straps LC 2500 daN

What anti-slip mats provide:

✅ reduce the number of straps
✅ increase stability
✅ reduce settling during transport
✅ protect cargo and floor
✅ essential for heavy and high-value cargo

In real transport, anti-slip mats are not an accessory — they are part of the safety system.

⚠ Typical LC calculation mistakes

• calculating only from the strap label

• ignoring angle influence

• near-vertical lashings

• no anti-slip mats

• “habit-based” securing

• no safety margin

✅ Expert practical recommendations

• keep strap angles below 45°

• combine blocking + lashing

• always use anti-slip mats

• add 20–30% safety reserve

• secure heavy cargo with direct lashing

• if unsure — calculate

🛒 Cargo securing equipment at lpxtrade.lv

At lpxtrade.lv you will find:

• lashing straps with certified LC

• anti-slip mats

• chains and tensioners

• beams and blocking bars

• dunnage airbags

• edge protectors and cargo securing systems

We do not just sell products — we help calculate and design cargo securing solutions for your specific loads.

🏁 Conclusion

LC is only the beginning.
Without considering angles and friction, securing becomes an illusion of safety.

Real reliability is created by:

✔ calculation
✔ correct angles
✔ anti-slip mats
✔ quality equipment
✔ and a professional approach.