7) WEIGH BRIDGE

Weigh bridge is a large set of scales that is used to weigh the entire road vehicles and their
contents. The load carried by the vehicles can be determined by weighing the vehicle both empty and
when loaded. There are many types of weighbridge which are;

1) Electronic (deep pit type)

2) Electronic (pit less type)
3) Digital (deep pit type)
4) Digital (shallow pit)
5) Digital (pit less type)
6) Rail Weighbridge
7) Movable Weighbridge
8) Mechanical Weighbridge
9) Mechanical (digital type)
10) Electro-mechanical
11) Portable Weighbridge
12) Axle scales
13) Portable ramp end scales

Weighbridge can be surface mounted with a lamp leading up a short distance and the weighing
equipment underneath or they can be pit mounted with the weighing equipment and the platform in a pit
so that the weighing surface is level with the road. They are typically built from steel or concrete and by
nature are extremely robust. In the past versions, the bridge is installed over a rectangular pit that
contains levers that ultimately connect to a balance mechanism. The most complex portion of this type is
the arrangement of levers underneath the weighbridge since the response of the scale must be
independent of the distribution of the load.

Recently versions used multiple load cells that connect to an electronic equipment to totalize the
sensor inputs. In either type of semi permanent scale the weight readings are typically recorded in a
nearby hut or office. Many weighbridge are now linked to a PC which runs truck scale software that
capable of printing tickets and providing report features.

Weighbridge is used for selling or charging by weight over the bridge (Trade Approved) and check
weighing both axle weights and gross vehicle weights. This helps to stop axle overloading and possible
heavy fines. They are used in industries that manufacture or move bulk items, such as in mines or
quarries, garbage dumps / recycling centers, bulk liquid and powder movement, household goods, and
electrical equipment. Since the weight of the vehicle carrying the goods is known (and can be ascertained
quickly if it is not known by the simple expedient of weighing the empty vehicle) they are a quick and easy
way to measure the flow of bulk goods in and out of different locations.

A single axle weighing system can be used to check individual axle weights and gross vehicle weights to
determine whether the vehicle is safe to travel on the public highway without being stopped and fined by
the authorities for being overloaded. Similar to the full size weighbridge these systems can be pit mounted
with the weighing surface flush to the level of the roadway or surface mounted. For many uses (such as at
police over the road weigh stations or temporary road intercepts) weighbridges have been largely
supplanted by simple and thin electronic weigh cells, over which a vehicle is slowly driven. A computer
records the output of the cell and accumulates the total vehicle weight. By weighing the force of each axle
it can be assured that the vehicle is within statutory limits, which typically will impose a total vehicle
weight, a maximum weight within an axle span limit and an individual axle limit. The former two limits
ensure the safety of bridges while the latter protects the road surface.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_scale#See_also]

Figure 7.1 : Example of weighbridge

Capacity (Ton) Platform Size Number of Modules Number of Load Cell

40t/50t/60t 7.5 x 3 m 1 4
 50t/60t/80t 12 x 3 m 2 6
50t/60t/80t/100t 15 x 3 m 2 6
60t/80t/100t 16 x 3 m 3 8
60t/80t/100t 18 x 3 m 3 8
Table 7.1 : Size and capacities of weighbridge

Figure 7.2 : Weighbridge general arrangement

Weighbridge Size Road Clearance Required

(meters) (Feet)
4.2 x 2.4 m 40
4.85 x 2.4 m 50
6.09 x 2.4 m 64
6.7 x 3 m 70
7.5 x 3 m 80
9x3m 100
 10 x 3 m 120
12 x 3 m 150
14 x 3 m 170
15 x 3 m 175
16 x 3 m 190
18 x 3 m 200
20 x 3 m 240
22 x 4 m 260
Table 7.2 : Road clearance required according to weighbridge size

[http://www.mansiinstruments.com/mobile_weigh_bridge.html]