If boxes are handled using forklift trucks, bending stress can arise on the floor of the boxes, depending on the mass of the packaged goods and how they are supported. In the case of rigid packaged goods whose whole surface rests on the floor of the box, the forks of the forklift truck are directly below the point of contact, and the bending stress on the floor of the box is relatively low. If the packaged goods only rest on the floor of the box at specific points, and the forks of the forklift truck are not directly below the points at which the packaged goods are supported, these bending stresses considerably greater.

Figure 6: Handling with a forklift truck