Bodywork calculations 3

Table of content

BODYWORK CALCULATIONS ............................................2

PRINCIPLES OF CALCULATION ........................................3

OPTIMIZING LOAD ..............................................................6

EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION .............................................7

Example 1 4X2 Tractor with two axles ...........................7
Example 2 6X4 Tractor with three axles ........................9
Example 3 4X2 Crane behind cab ................................ 11
Example 4 6X2 Rear-mounted crane ...........................12
Example 5 4X2 Calculating length ...............................13
Example 6 6X2 Calculating centre of gravity ..............15
Example 7 6x2/4 Tractor ................................................16
Example 8 8x4 Centre of gravity calculation ................18
Example 9 8x4*4 Centre of gravity calculation ............19

Scania CV AB 2003 1
 Bodywork calculations 3

BODYWORK CALCULATIONS

2 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

PRINCIPLES OF CALCULATION

The procedure for calculating a suitable platform

length, payload and axle weight is based on a
fewsimple rules.

The sum of the downward forces must always

equal the sum of the upward forces.
If a plank (assumed to be weightless) is placed on
two supports and a 100 kg weight is positioned at
the mid-point, the supports will each carry half of
the weight, 50 kg each.

If the weight is positioned above one of the

supports, this will be loaded with 100 kg and the
other support will bear no load.

If the weight is placed on the outside of one of the

supports, the plank will lift from the other support.

To prevent the plank from tipping, a weight of at

least 20 kg must be placed over the first support.
There is now equilibrium. In this case, the entire
load will be carried by the second support.

Scania CV AB 2003 3
 Bodywork calculations 3

This is popularly known as the lever principle.

Replace one of the supports by a wheel and the other

by a man lifting. If a weight is placed close to the
man, he must lift a large part of the weight.

The closer the weight is moved towards the wheel, the

less of the 100 kg weight must be lifted by the man.

However, if the weight is moved beyond the axis of

the wheel, he must exert a downward force on the
plank to prevent it from tilting upwards.

How does the weight supported by the man vary in

relation to the position of the weight?

The weight (load) is designated L (kg). The load

(reaction force exerted on the man) is denoted
F (kg).

The distance from the wheel axis to the centre of

gravity of the weight (load) is designated as lever H
(mm).
The distance between the loading points (wheel axis
and man) is designated as A(mm).

4 Scania CV AB 2003

In order to achieve equilibrium, the load (L)
multiplied by its lever (H) must be equal to the
force of reaction (F) multiplied by its lever,
distance (A).
Load (L) x Lever (H) = Reaction (F) x
Distance (A)
This equation may be rearranged in order to
calculate load (L), reaction (F) or lever (H).
Load (L) x Lever (H) = Reaction (F) x
Distance (A)
Load (L) = Reaction (F) x Distance (A)
Lever (H)
Reaction (F) = Load (L) x Lever (H)
Distance (A)
Lever (H) = Reaction (F) x Distance (A)
Load (L)
Scania CV AB 2003
Bodywork calculations 3
Axle weight and body calculations for trucks are
based on this simple lever principle using the
formula:
Lx H = FxA
The wheel in the above example can be replaced by
the front wheel of the truck and the man can be
replaced by the rear wheel of the truck.
The weight may be replaced by the truck body and
load. The centre of gravity of the body and load are
assumed to be at the mid-point of the platform.
For the sake of simplicity we also use the unit (kg)
for loads, i.e. forces.
5
 Bodywork calculations 3

OPTIMIZING LOAD

All types of transport work using a truck require

that the truck chassis be equipped with some type
of bodywork.
The intention of bodywork calculations is to
optimize the chassis and the location of the body-
work in order to achieve maximum payload
without exceeding maximum permissible axle
weight and bogie weight, taking note of legal and
technical limitations.

This booklet deals with the main principles for

bodywork calculations.
Scania distributors and dealers have a PC-based
calculation program for load/weight optimization
and are able to offer assistance in bodywork
calculation.
Optimizing the load requires data on the weight
and dimensions of the chassis.
The distributor has access to chassis weights.
In many countries, chassis weights are also
available on the distributors website.

Example of PC calculation
Front Rear Total
Chassis weight 6445 2585 9030
Additional weight 0 0 0
Bodywork weight 1146 3404 4550
Weight 1-4 0 0 0
Bodywork equipment 2135 -135 2000
Unladen weight 9726 5854 15580
Load 0 3885 11535 15420
Load 1-4 0 0 0
Weight of payload 3885 11535 15420
Unladen weight 9726 5854 15580
Weight of payload 3885 11535 15420
Gross train weight 13611 17389 31000
Maximum permissible
weight 14200 19000 32000
Weight reserve 589 1611 1000

Weight on steered axles 66%

On steered front axles 43%
Slip limit Asphalt 31%
Slip limit Gravel roads 18%

6 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION

Example 1 4X2 Tractor with two axles

Calculation of front and rear axle weights (PA and
PB) on a two-axle tractor with a kingpin load (L).

Applying the lever principle gives the following if: A = 4200 mm

equation: L = 10000 kg
H = 3600 mm

FB = L x H This gives the following distribution of load on the

A rear axle (FB).

FB =Kingpin load carried by the rear axle FB = 10000 x 3600 = 8571 kg

A = Wheelbase 4200
L = Kingpin load
H =Distance between front axle and fifth wheel
Rear axle weight (PB) is the sum of load distribu-
tion on the rear axle (FB) and the trucks chassis
weight on the rear axle (TB).

PB = FB + TB

Scania CV AB 2003 7
 Bodywork calculations 3

If chassis weight at the rear, TB = 4000 kg this

gives a rear axle weight (PB) as follows:

PB = 8571 + 4000 = 12571 kg

Load distribution on the front axle (FA) is

calculated by subtracting the load distribution on
the rear axle from the total load (L).

FA = L - FB

Load distribution on the front axle (FA) in this

example is as follows:

FA = 10000 - 8571 = 1429 kg

Front axle weight (PA) is obtained in the same

manner as the rear axle weight, i.e. the sum of load
distribution on the front axle (FA) and the trucks
chassis weight at the front (TA).

PA = FA + TA

If chassis weight at the front, TA = 4500 kg this

gives a front axle weight (PA) as follows:

PA = 1429 + 4500 = 5929 kg

8 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 2 6X4 Tractor with three axles

Calculation of the position of the fifth wheel (H) on

a three-axle truck in order to achieve optimum use
of front axle weight and bogie weight.

Applying the lever principle gives the following By subtracting the trucks chassis weight at the rear
equation: (TB) from the maximum permitted bogie weight,
(PB) maximum permitted load on the bogie (FB)
H = FB x (A + B) can be calculated.
L
FB = PB - TB
where:
H = Distance between front axle and
kingpin if: PB = max. 20000 kg
FB = Maximum permitted load (kingpin) TB = 5000 kg
on bogie
A = Wheelbase
B = Distance to centre of gravity of bogie This gives the following distribution of the load on
L = Max. permitted load (kingpin) the bogie (FB)

The distance to the centre of gravity of the bogie

(B) for the various chassis types is given in the FB = 20000 - 5000 = 15000 kg
main dimension drawings.

Scania CV AB 2003 9
 Bodywork calculations 3

Maximum permitted load (L) is calculated by

adding the max. permitted load on the bogie (FB)
and the max. permitted load on the front axle (FA)

L = FB + FA

The maximum permitted load on the front axle

(FA) is calculated in the same manner as the max.
permitted load on the bogie (FB) as follows:

F A = P A - TA

if: PA = 7000 kg
TA = 5000 kg

this gives the following max. permitted load (L):

FA = 7000 - 5000 = 2000 kg

L = 15000 + 2000 = 17000 kg

if: A = 4200 mm
B = 675 mm (6x4)

this gives the following optimum placing of the

fifth wheel.

H = 15000 x (4200 + 675) = 4300 mm

17000

In other words, in order to optimize the utilization

of axle weights, the fifth wheel must be located
4300 mm from the front axle (100 mm behind the
first driven axle).

10 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 3 4X2 Crane behind cab

Equipment inside the wheelbase such as a crane
behind the cab.

If the truck is equipped with heavy optional

equipment such as a crane behind the cab, the
weight distribution of the crane on the front axle
and rear axle must be calculated before the body
calculations above can be carried out.

Applying the lever principle gives the following Crane weight on front axle (KA) will then be:
equation:

KB = K x C
A KA = K - KB

KB = Weight of crane carried by rear axle

K = Total weight of crane KA = 1950 - 364 = 1586 kg
C = Distance between front axle and centre
of gravity of crane
A = Wheelbase
The weight of the crane on the front axle (KA) and
if: K = 1950 kg rear axle (KB) are then added to the chassis weight
C = 802 mm of the truck at the front (TA) or rear (TB) in order to
A = 4300 mm carry out further bodywork calculations.
See example 5.
the rear axle (KB) will bear the following propor-
tion of the total weight of the crane (K).

KB = 1950 x 802 = 364 kg

4300

Scania CV AB 2003 11
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 4 6X2 Rear-mounted crane

Equipment outside the wheelbase such as a rear-
mounted crane.

If the truck has heavy optional equipment such as a

rear-mounted crane, the weight distribution of the
crane on the front and rear axle must be calculated
before carrying out the bodywork calculations
above.

Applying the lever principle gives the following The weight of the crane on the front axle (KA) will
equation: then be:

KB = K x C KA = K - KB
(A+B)

KB = Weight of crane carried by rear axle KA = 2500 - 3550 = -1050 kg

K = Total weight of crane
C = Distance between front axle and centre
of gravity of crane
A = Wheelbase Note that KA is negative meaning that the front
B = Distance to centre of gravity of bogie axle will be loaded with 1050 kg.

if: K = 2500 kg Crane weight on the rear axle (KB) is added to the
C = 7400 mm chassis weight of the truck at the rear (TB) and the
A = 4600 mm reduced crane weight on the front axle (KA)
B = 612 mm (6x2) subtracted from the chassis weight of the truck at
the front (TA) in order to carry out further body-
the following proportion of the total weight (K) of work calculations.
the crane is supported by the rear axle (KB)

KB = 2500 x 7400 = 3550 kg

(4600+612)

12 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 5 4X2 Calculating length

Calculation of body length. Same truck and
equipment as in example 3.

Applying the lever principle gives the following
equation:
H = FB x A
L
The maximum permitted load on the rear axle (FB)
is calculated by subtracting the trucks chassis
weight rear (TB) and crane weight rear (KB) from
the maximum permitted rear axle weight (PB).
The maximum permitted load (L) is calculated by
adding the maximum permitted load on the front
axle (FA) to that on the rear axle (FB).
L = FA + FB
The maximum permitted load on the front axle (FA)
is calculated in the same manner as the maximum
permitted load on the rear axle (FB) i.e.:

FB = PB - TB - KB
FA = PA - TA - KA

if: PB = 10000 kg
TB = 1780 kg if: PA = 6500 kg
KB = 364 kg (as example 3). TA = 5000 kg
KA = 1130 kg (as example 3)
this gives the following maximum permitted load
on the rear axle. this gives the following maximum permitted load
(L):
FB = 10000 - 1780 - 364 =7856 kg FA = 7500 - 4260 - 1586 = 1654 kg

L = 1654 + 7856 = 9510 kg

Scania CV AB 2003 13
 Bodywork calculations 3

In example 3, wheelbase (A) = 4300 mm. The Rear overhang (J) may be calculated as follows:
distance between the front axle and the centre of
gravity of the platform + load is thus as follows:

H = 7856 x 4300 = 3552 mm J=D+X-A

9510

i.e. the platform + the trucks centre of gravity must J = 1352 + 4400 - 4300 = 1452 mm
be located 3552 mm (H) behind the font axle or
4300 - 3552 = 748 mm (Y) in front of the rear axle
to optimally utilise the maximum permissible axle
weight.

If the centre of gravity of the platform + load is

assumed to be located at the mid-point of the Comments:
platform, as in this example, platform length may
then be calculated as below. In this example we have calculated backwards by
establishing D through the use of SCANIAs
calculation program. This naturally makes it
The maximum length of the platform from the simpler and quicker to find a suitable vehicle. The
centre of gravity and forward is limited by the result is a vehicle with weights and locations of
crane and its base, i.e, distance (D). crane and platform entirely optimized.
X/2 cannot be less than: The calculation program also makes it possible to
gain some load capacity by choosing a front or rear
X/2 = H - D axle with lower permissible weight capacity, if
such a change is more optimal from a weight
distribution perspective.
if D = 1352 mm, X/2 is: The authorities in most countries will approve the
vehicle even if the centre of gravity of the load is
not at precisely the same location as that of the
X/2 = 3552 - 1352 = 2200 mm platform.
In practice this has little or no significance.
However, check the national regulations.
Platform length is then:

X = X/2 + X/2

X = 4400 mm

14 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 6 6X2 Calculating centre of gravity

Calculation of the distance (E) between the mid-point of a
given body (theoretical centre of gravity) and the centre of
gravity in order to reach maximum axle weight.

Applying the lever principle gives the following this gives the following position of centre of grav-
equation: ity for maximum axle weight.

H = FB x (A + B) H = 12000 x (5000 + 553) = 4595 mm

L 14500

H = Distance between front axle and centre

of gravity of load for maximum axle
weight utilization.
FB = Maximum permitted load on bogie
A = Wheelbase
B = Distance to centre of gravity of bogie
L = Maximum permitted load including
bodywork
If the body in this example is 8000 mm and the
distance between the front axle and body is 650 mm,
the distance (E) between the centre of gravity for
maximum axle weight and the mid-point of the
body (theoretical centre of gravity) is as follows:
E = D + X/2 - H

if: FB = 12000 kg E = 650 + 4000 - 4595 = 55 mm

A = 5000 mm
B = 553 mm (6 x 2)
L = 14500 kg Check with national regulations that this distance
(E) is within the limits given.
For calculation of (L) and (FB), see earlier example.

Scania CV AB 2003 15
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 7 6x2/4 Tractor

Calculation of the position of the fifth wheel (H) on a three-
axle truck, with the tag axle in front of the driven axle, in
order to achieve optimum use of front axle weight and bogie
weight.

Applying the lever principle gives the following By subtracting truck chassis weight at the rear (TB)
equation: from the maximum permitted bogie weight (PB),
maximum permitted load on the bogie (FB) can be
H = FB x (A - B) calculated.
L
FB = PB - TB
if: H = Distance between front axle and fifth
wheel
FB = Max. permitted load (kingpin) on bogie if: PB = max 20000 kg
TB = 5000 kg
A = Wheelbase
B = Distance to centre of gravity of bogie This gives the following distribution of load on the
L = Max. permitted load (kingpin) bogie (FB)

The distance to the centre of gravity (B) of the FB = 20000 - 5000 = 15000 kg
bogie for the different types of chassis is given in
the main dimension drawings.

16 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

Maximum permitted load (L) is calculated by adding

the max. permitted load on the bogie (FB) and the
maximum permitted load on the front axle (FA)

L = FB + FA

The maximum permitted load on the front axle (FA) is

calculated in the same manner as the max. permitted
load on the bogie (FB) as follows:

FA = PA - TA

if: PA = 7000 kg
TA = 5000 kg

this gives the following maximum permitted load (L):

FA = 7000 - 5000 = 2000 kg

L = 15000 + 2000 = 17000 kg

if: A = 4100 mm
B = 675 mm

this gives the following optimum location of the

fifth wheel

H = 15000 x (4100 - 675) = 3022 mm

17000

This means that in order to optimize the use of axle

weight, the fifth wheel should be located 3022 mm
from the front axle.

Scania CV AB 2003 17
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 8 8x4 Centre of gravity calculation

To calculate: Dimension (E), the distance between the centre of
gravity of the platform and the optimum centre of gravity of the
platform/load (H).

Weight front Weight rear Weight tot.

Target, laden FA = 14 000 FB = 18 000 F tot = 32 000
truck
Chassis weight - 5 865 - 2 830 - 8 695
Load + bodywork PB = 8 135 PB = 15 170 L = 23 305

A = 5000 mm AT = Theoretical wh eelbase

B = 677,5 mm H = Optimal centre of grav-
C = 970 mm ity load/platform
D = 650 mm L = Maximum weight load +
FA = 14 000 kg bodywork
FB = 18 000 kg E = Distance between H and Remarks:
L = 23 305 kg the centre of the
X = 7 000 mm bodywork
The distance (D) may be a minimum dimension, e.g.
PB = Load + bodywork load on if a front cylinder is to fitted between the cab and
Calculation bodywork.
The chosen length of the bodywork (X) may be a
AT = A + B C = 5000 + 677,5 - 970 = 4 707,5 mm
dimension that the bodywork builder has chosen as
standard. Deviating from this standard may mean
AT x PB 4707,5 x 15170 paying a much higher price.
H= = = 3064 mm
L 23305 The chosen wheelbase (A), 5000 mm, is very long
for a tipper truck but for the sake of the calculation
E = X/2 + D C H = 3500 + 650 970 3064 = 116 has no significance. From a stability perspective a
mm shorter wheelbase would be preferable. But some
countries require an even longer wheelbase to make
Dimension (E), the distance between the practical and it possible to load the vehicle to the maximum.
optimal values of H is = 116 mm. The bodywork
should be 116 mm further forward towards the cab to Also check national regulations to make sure that the
achieve optimal load distribution. distance (E) is within permissible limits.
18 Scania CV AB 2003
 Bodywork calculations 3

Example 9 8x4*4 Centre of gravity calculation

To calculate: The optimal centre of gravity of the bodywork/

load should coincide with the mid-point of the bodywork. H
should thus be equal to D + X/2 and E should be equal to 0.

Weight front Weight rear Weight tot.

Target, laden truck FA = 7 100 FB = 24 000 F tot = 31 100
Chassis weight - 4 870 - 4 585 - 9 455
Load + bodywork PA = 2 230 PB = 19 415 L = 21 645

A = 3350 mm AT = Theoretical wheelbase

B = 1256 mm H = Optimal centre of gravity
FA = 7100 kg load/platform
FB = 24000 kg L = Maximum weight for load +
L = 21645 kg bodywork
X = 6200 mm E = Distance between H and the
AT = 4606 mm (as centre of the bodywork
on main dimen X = Length of bodywork
sion drawing) D = Dimension between front axle
PB = Load + bodywork and front edge of bodywork
load on rear axles

Calculation:
AT x PB 4606 x 19415
H= = = 4131 mm
L 21645
Since the requirement is that the centre of gravity
of the bodywork should be precisely above the
centre of gravity of the load and bodywork, D is as
follows:
D = H X/2 = 4 131-3 350 = 1031 mm
The distance between the front axle and bodywork
is:
D = 1031 mm och E = 0.
Scania CV AB 2003 19