egenvekten

Egenvekten is the weight of a body, vehicle, vessel, or structure in its own right, excluding any loads it carries. In engineering it is often referred to as self-weight or dead load. The term is used to describe the mass that must be supported by the structure or chassis during normal operation.

In road transport, egenvekten typically denotes the tare weight of a vehicle—its weight with standard equipment and usual fluids but without payload. The total allowed weight, or totalvekt, minus the egenvekt gives the nyttelast, the maximum payload the vehicle can carry. In ships, egenvekten corresponds to the weight of the hull and installed equipment, and is used in calculations of displacement and cargo capacity. In buildings and bridges, self-weight refers to the weight of all permanent structural components, including concrete, steel, and finishing materials.

Calculation and measurement methods vary. For simple objects, self-weight is found by summing the weights of all components or by density times volume. For complex assemblies, manufacturers’ data, certified weights, or weighing on scales are used. In structural design, egenvekten is combined with live loads (occupants, furniture, snow, wind) to determine design loads and ensure safety margins.

Examples illustrate the concept: a truck with an egenvekt of 1,600 kg and a maximum total weight of 2,800 kg can carry up to 1,200 kg of nyttelast. Understanding egenvekten helps determine payload capacity and informs safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.