Truck Scale Foundation 2

[CANeng11]

We would like to replace a pit style truck scale with an above-ground truck scale. We would also like to reuse the existing foundation as much as possible. Does anyone have any experience with this? One contractor suggested that we dowel into the existing grade beam for the scale and form new grade beams on top, while filling in the pit with gravel.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

mas745 - I designed the foundation for an above ground truck scale in the 1980's. There has to be adequate support for the scale's load cells at the points designated by the manufacturer. Also, a slab-on-grade ties the load cell foundations together. Finally you need suitable access ramps at each end of the scale.

Trying to make this fit on top of the existing pit could be quite a challenge. You will probably be better off to just backfill the existing pit (and build over it), remove the pit (and build at that location), or relocate the new scale a short distance away (if there is room) and forget about trying to reuse the pit or doweling into it. An above ground scale foundation does not take a large quantity of concrete.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

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[dhengr]

Mas745:
I started this for your other thread, worded differently, but same subject. Then never got around to posting it. You’ll have to replicate the below grade foundation, above grade, and provide on/off ramps and roadway, if you want the same scale and its mechanical systems to work properly. This is particularly true of the older mechanical scales, which had many levers and beams involved in their weighing operation. And, all of this mechanical equipment needed a proper, stiff enough, coordinated foundation for its support and reaction, and proper operation.

You haven’t been very forthcoming with what you are really going to do in the way of a completely new scale system or reusing the existing one. Generally, I agree with SlideRuleEra, it will likely be more work than it is worth to try to make a new scale system work with (fit on) the existing foundation system. All of the important load points will likely be at different locations. Therefore, much new structure will be needed to make the two work together.