Answer
When it comes to mechanical and structural recommendations you need to defer this question to a qualified Mechanical Engineer. Hardy Process Solutions is a manufacturer of process weighing instrumentation and equipment. We also provide local field service, installation and emergency onsite field service, but we do not provide structural engineering services.
Hardy Process Weighing Instrumentation and Load Cells can tell you how much material is in your vessel/silo. The load cells should never be the sole support structure to keep the structure upright. There are many calculations that need to be reviewed, including the density of the soil, proximity to other vessels and foundation information. A Mechanical Engineer will need to consider wind stress, how many vessels are in the group, indoors or outdoors, soil compaction, cement depth, lift-off protection, etc. The Mechanical Engineer can tell you the total weight (force) per load point and you can then base your load cell selection on this information. Hardy could then offer the correct load point and capacity for your application.
