Suspension loading

[MAD777]

The static force on each strap is equal to half your weight divided by the sine of the hang angle. Which by the way is what your scale is reading. But as the scales also show, moving around increases the load. In other words, the calculation doesn't take into account someone launching off a unicycle and landing headfirst in the hammock

[Floridahanger]

I don't know but what it says on the straps is max load 200 lbs per strap.

That max load should be safe working load. The breaking load would be higher. At 5:1 safety ratio (recommended is 5:1 or 10:1 for life supporting suspensions), that puts the breaking point at 1000 lbs. I don't think ENO uses the 10:1 ratio (2000 lbs) per strap, but, maybe they do, since the straps are so heavy.

[DemostiX]

Put numbers to Bubba's explanation of why the straps have not yet failed. Typical Safe Working Load (SWL) is 1/3 to 1/5 the rated breaking strength. So, the inverse of those fractions is the likely breaking strength when an unlabeled number is given.

Also, some of the calculators make some, but typically not enough, adjustment for stretching under load, in particular of the nylon hammock. That has a static and a dynamic effect. Statically, it makes the angle steeper, and per OP's measurement and the physics, this reduces the load. Dynamically, the same happens.

What is going on in the previous is pretty obvious, by experiment you can all do: Tie monofiliament fishing line or a thread taut between two points, with no load. The physics say that any load placed on the middle will snap the line, because the load gets infinitely multiplied.

What happens insteadi: The line stretches, becomes longer, forming a V shape, and the load is significantly reduced, per the sin law previously cited.

Going beyond this topic, notice that line that with little stretch in it, like our favored Amsteel and similar, is very strong. But because it does not lengthen under full load, it is also not tolerant of short or long term loads over its rating.

[gmcttr]

The only thing I'm not understanding is that the ENO product listing for the Atlas strap states it "Safely Support Up To 400lbs" vs the 200 lbs stated in this thread.

EDIT: The REI Atlas Suspension listing states "Each strap in the ENO Atlas hammock suspension system can support 200 lbs., for a combined weight capacity of 400 lbs."

200 lbs each for a total of 400 can't be correct used with a hammock. Nothing like misinformation.