I'm trying to determine the thickness of steel plate required to support a machine that weighs about 1500lbs. Details are:

6 inch C-Channels 78 inches long

steel plate on top 48" x 78" x thicknes ? (shown is 1/4")

Machine width is 36" x 76" @ 1500lbs. (represented by the block of steel)


My main question is, does the simulation show real deformation or exaggerated ? Or, do you only go by the scale ? I assume exaggerated as it does this even when 2" thick plate is used.

Thanks, this is the first time we've done this !