Kentledge
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Kentledge or kentledge weights are slabs or blocks of concrete or iron (usually
pig iron Pig iron, also known as crude iron, is an intermediate good used by the iron industry in the production of steel. It is developed by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. Pig iron has a high carbon content, typically 3.8–4.7%, along with si ...
, sometimes with a cast-in handle to assist moving). They are used within ships or boats as permanent, high-density
ballast Ballast is dense material used as a weight to provide stability to a vehicle or structure. Ballast, other than cargo, may be placed in a vehicle, often a ship or the gondola of a balloon or airship, to provide stability. A compartment within ...
. They may also be used as
counterweight A counterweight is a weight (object), weight that, by applying an opposite force, provides balance and stability of a machine, mechanical system. The purpose of a counterweight is to make lifting the load faster and more efficient, which saves e ...
s in cranes such as
tower crane A crane is a machine used to move materials both vertically and horizontally, utilizing a system of a boom, hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves for lifting and relocating heavy objects within the swing of its boom. The device uses on ...
s or
swing bridge A swing bridge (or swing span bridge) is a movable bridge that can be rotated horizontally around a vertical axis. It has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its center of gravit ...
s as is found in the Victoria Swing Bridge. On construction sites, prior to the erection of a building,
static load testing Static load testing is an ''in situ'' type of load testing used in geotechnical investigation to determine the bearing capacity of deep foundation A pile or piling is a vertical structural element of a deep foundation, driven or drilled d ...
may use a large number of kentledge stacked onto a platform. This platform is used to drive piles into the ground beneath to test the integrity of the foundation.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kentledge Mechanisms (engineering) Watercraft components