In the UK, concrete in construction is regulated by standards and building codes to ensure quality, safety, and durability. The European standards for concrete, BS EN 206 and BS 8500, emphasise the importance of precise batching by weight to achieve the desired strength, durability, and workability of concrete. Regulations state that the materials (cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures) must be weighed accurately to ensure proper mix ratios.

Other guidance such as the Building Regulations (Part A & C),  BREEAM, strength testing, and health and safety laws and Eurocode 2 BS EN 1992 all focus on structural design – but all rely on concrete being made to the correct mix specifications, which is achieved through weighing ingredients to meet the required strength and durability for safety.

Batching refers to the process of measuring the precise amount of materials required to create a concrete mix. Weighing equipment and recipe formulation software can be used to measure ingredients by weight, ensuring that concrete meets the specified quality, structural and strength requirements.

Heavy-duty floor scales or weighbridges are often used to weigh the aggregates used to make concrete, while hoppers may be paired with weigh bars to create bulk weighing systems.

In large concrete plants, automated weighing systems are often integrated into batching plants to ensure precise measurements. The system controls the addition of each material in sequence, improving consistency across batches and reducing errors. Systems can be configured to track and store data and ensure the right proportions, which helps improve the overall quality of concrete produced.

Weighing systems are often used to check the weight of incoming and outgoing goods. As well as ensuring that inventory management and billing are correct, weighbridges are also used to check that vehicles loaded with incoming aggregates and ingredients are not overloaded. In addition, for construction sites that handle pre-cast concrete components such as beams or columns, weighing equipment is used to manage incoming and outgoing transportation and ensure safe loading.