set-up of load cells

huangyhg

set-up of load cells
hi all,
i'm in need of some assistance with load cells and measuring weight. i have a structural package that will be lifted and set down onto a foundation, and i would like to place load cells underneath it.
just keeping it simple: a stiffened steel plate 36" in diameter (in the package) will make contact with another stiffened steel plate (the foundation). i'd like to put load cells in between. i figured 3 low-profile, pancake-style load cells that are evenly spaced and sandwiched between 1" thick doubler plates would work. the whole deal will be restrained laterally to prevent sliding.
the anticipated maximum load will be about 30,000 pounds. i figured 3x 15,000 lb capacity load cells would be sufficient.
my question is how do load cells work, and what other equipment do i need? i've done some online research and have found several suppliers of components (one seems good:
sounds like you should see what your local dot does for highway weighing stations for commercial trucks.
i am sure that there are a few scale manufacturers out there for truck/railroad purposes who might be able to point you in the right direction.
jeff
jeffrey t. donville, pe
ttl associates, inc.
try calling geokon, inc. @
thanks for your responses everyone. i've searched around and have found some nice floor scales that might work. there are low-profile high capacity (~40,000 lb.) scales used to measure individual truck tires. these seem pretty robust and come ready to use in one package.
best regards,
tj avery