What is the total sling stress for the three-point lift described in the first scenario (7252 LBS load)?

• A. 12000 LBS
• B. 12550 LBS
• C. 13050 LBS
• D. 14502 LBS

Answer: (D)

In a three-point lift, the load is supported by three slings, and the vertical support from each sling is its tension multiplied by the cosine of the angle between the sling and the vertical. The total load the slings must carry is the sum of those vertical components. If the three slings share the load evenly, the total sling stress is the sum of the three sling tensions, which simplifies to the load divided by the cosine of the sling angle: Total sling stress = W / cos θ.

Here, the lift geometry has slings spread so that each makes a 60-degree angle with the vertical, so cos θ = 0.5. Therefore, total sling stress equals 7252 / 0.5 = 14504 pounds. The given option around 14,500 pounds matches this calculation (approximately 14,502 pounds when rounded).