Whereas, if the load is divided into simple / symmetrical shapes,

approximate measurements taken and basic calculations used

i.e. load weight = volume x density (reference weight calculation
in the following section), a greater degree of accuracy can be
achieved.

However, even with this method, if the load weight is estimated,

a suitable factor, for example 25%, should be added to
compensate for the inaccuracy in the estimation.

16.2 Weight Calculation

To calculate load weight use the following formula:
Load Weight (LW) = Volume (VVOL) x Density (DDEN)
Note | The use of formulae in this handbook does not produce
competence. Formulae should be used to enhance and
refresh existing knowledge. Only authorised personnel with the
appropriate engineering qualifications should produce, review or
approve engineering calculations. To enhance efficiency, go to
www.rigex.com for online calculation tools.
When using formulae:
When two letters are together, e.g. ab this means a
times b
a/b means a is divided by b
a2 means a times a
a3 means a times a times by a
= 3.142
Always write out the formula first
Ensure that all units are the same
Write calculations out line by line and keep work tidy

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16.3 Conversion Table

Imperial

Metric

1 inch

25.4 mm

2.54 cm

1 foot

305 mm

30.5 cm

0.305 m

1 yard

914.4 mm

91.44 cm

0.9144 m

1 lb.

0.45 kg

2.2 lb.

1 kg

2000 lb.

1
Short ton

2204 lb.
2240 lb.

0.0254 m

907 kg
1000 kg

1
Long ton

1 tonne
1016 kg

225 lb.

1 kN

16.4 Density Table

Material

lb./ft

kg/m

Aluminium

165

2640

Brass

545

8730

Concrete

150

2400

Copper

557

8930

Lead

708

11340

Printing Paper

50

800

Stainless Steel

500

8000
7850

Steel

490

Water

62

1000

Water (sea)

64

1025

Wood (pine average)

36

580

Note | The values in the previous table are given as guidance

only (1 kg/m = 0.0624 lb./ft = 0.000036127 lb./in).

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39

16.5 Volume Formulae

Cube
L
L

Cuboid or Plate
LxWxH

Cylinder
R x H

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Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

Pipe
(R - r) x H

Cone
(RH) 3

Sphere
(4R) 3

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41

17.0 Centre of Gravity

Where the CoG is located, is just as important as knowing the
weight of the load.
The CoG is located where the total weight of an object is
assumed to be concentrated.
For symmetrical loads the CoG will be located in the geometric
centre.

For asymmetrical (not symmetrical) loads, that can be divided

into symmetrical shapes, two of the simplest methods that can
be used to find the CoG are to draw the load to scale and use
inverse proportionality or use moments around an axis / datum
line.
On the following pages:
Example 1 uses a scale drawing and inverse proportionality
Example 2 uses moments around an axis / datum line

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People. Process. Performance.

Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

Example 1 - Scale Drawing and Inverse Proportionality

10

1. Draw the load (front elevation) to scale.

10

2. Determine the total weight of the load:

30 ton

10

20

10
20

10

3. Divide the load into symmetrical

shapes and label: A and B
4. Determine the weight of each shape:
A = 10 ton, B = 20 ton

10
10
10

20

A
20

5. Locate the CoG for each shape.

10
10

6. Draw a connecting line between each

CoG.
7. Shape A represents one third (1/3)
of the total weight, shape B two thirds
(2/3).

10

20

8. Use these proportions inversely

as distances on the connecting line
to identify the location of the actual /
combined CoG.
Shape A weight = 1/3, distance of
CoG from A = 2/3
Shape B weight = 2/3, distance of
CoG from B = 1/3

20

10

10
10
10

20

10
20

Note | If you have a load that can be divided into three

symmetrical shapes, first determine the combined CoG for two
and then use this information with the third shape.

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43

Example 2 - Moments Around an Axis / Datum Line

For asymmetrical loads, that can be divided into symmetrical
shapes, the location of a load's CoG can be determined by using
moments around an axis / datum line. A moment, used in this
way, is the distance a weight is from an axis / datum line, times
weight:
Moment = Distance x Weight
10

1. Draw the load (front

elevation) to scale.
2. Determine the total weight
of the load: 7 ton

10

40
10
10

20

30
10

3. Divide the load into

symmetrical shapes and
label: A, B and C
4. Determine the weight of
each shape: A = 4 ton, B =
1 ton and C = 2 ton

10

40
10
10

20

30

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People. Process. Performance.

Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

5. Locate and indicate the

CoG for each for shape.

10

10

40
10
10

20

30

7. Determine the distance that

each CoG is located from the
datum line: A = 5, B = 15 and
C = 25

Datum Line

6. Draw a datum line on the Y axis. This is used to determine

the distance along the X axis
where the combined / actual
CoG will be located.

5
15
25

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45

8. Produce the following table.

Shape

Weight

Weight x
Distance
(Moment)

Distance
from Datum

A
B
C
Total:

Total:

9. Enter the weight of each symmetrical shape and its distance

from the Y axis / datum line into the table. Next, multiply each
to determine the moment.

Shape

Weight

Weight x
Distance
(Moment)

Distance
from Datum

20

15

15

25

50

Total: 7

Total: 85

10. Divide the total moment by the total weight to produce the
distance from the Y axis / datum line where the combined /
actual CoG is located.

Datum Line

85 7 = 12.1

12.1

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Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

21.0 Vertical Reaction Force

By determining the Vertical Reaction Force (VRF), before a load
is lifted, personnel will ensure that the force to be applied is less
then the lifting points capacity.
This information can then be used to determine the tension
applied to lifting appliances and accessories.

21.1 Single Point Lifts

For vertical single point lifts the VRF is the same as the weight of
the load, tension applied to the appliance and the accessories.

Load applied
to Hoist Ring,
Shackle, Link and
Hoist = 200kg

Load Weight
= 200kg

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51

21.2 Two Point Lifts

To determine the VRF on each lifting point, use the following
formulae:
VRF1 = (TW x DDIST2) TD
VRF2 = (TW x DDIST1) TD
TW: Total Weight
DDIST1: Distance between VRF1 and the CoG
DDIST2: Distance between VRF2 and the CoG
TD: Total Distance between VRF1 and VRF 2

VRF 1

Total Weight = 600 kg

DDIST1 = 800mm

VRF 2

DDIST2 = 600mm

TD = 1400mm

Example
VRF1 = (TW x DDIST2) TD
(600 x 600) 1400
360,000 1400
VRF1 = 257 kg

VRF2 = (TW x DDIST1) TD

(600 x 800) 1400
480,000 1400
VRF1 = 343 kg

Note | Ensure that VRF1 and VRF2 add up to the Total Weight.

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21.3 Three and Four Point Lifts

If the lifting points are all at the same height, uniformly and
symmetrically distributed around the CoG then the VRF in each
will be identical e.g. in a three point lift each VRF will be one third
of the total weight.
If there is no symmetry, they are described as statically
indeterminate and should be calculated by structural analysis.
However, in some four point lift configurations if there is
symmetry along at least one axis the VRFs can be manually
calculated using the following formulae:
VRF1 = VRF2 = (TW x DDIST2) 2TD
VRF3 = VRF4 = (TW x DDIST1) 2TD

VRF 3

VRF 2

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VRF 4

VRF 1

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Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

28.6 Wire Rope Slings

You will find that right-angled triangles are widely used when
calculating sling tensions. It is therefore essential that you
understand Pythagoras, Triangle Proportions and Trigonometry.

28.6.1 Pythagoras
If you know the lengths of two sides of a right-angled triangle,
you can find the length of the third side, by using the following
formula:
a + b = c
Note | a and b are usually the shortest sides, c' is usually the
longest.
Example

c
b

a + b = c
c=?

b=4

3+ 4 = c
9 + 16 = c
c = 25
c=5

a=3

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99

28.6.2 Triangle Proportions

A simpler method of working out the length of a triangles sides
can be used if the triangle has the correct proportions or angles.

60
1

60

60

If all the angles within a

triangle are 60, the length of
each side will be the same
(1 : 1 : 1).

45
2 (1.414)

45
1

30
2

60
1

100

If the angles within a triangle

are 90, 45 and 45, the
length of two sides will be
the same, with the longest
side 1.414 (2) times the
length of either of the two
sides (1 : 1 : 2).

If the angles within a triangle

are 90, 60 and 30, the
length of the longest side will
be twice the length of the
shortest, with the other side
1.732 (3) times the length of
the shortest side (1 : 2 : 3).

People. Process. Performance.

Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

28.6.3 Trigonometry
Pythagoras and triangle proportions are used to determine the
length of a triangles sides. Trigonometric formulae / ratios (Sine,
Cosine and Tangent) are used to determine angles and the
length of sides in right-angled triangles.
1. First name each side of the triangle in relation to the angle ().
Hypotenuse (HHy) is the longest side
Opposite (OOpp) is the side opposite the angle
Adjacent (AAdj) is the side next to the angle

Opposite

Hy

OOpp

po
te
H Hy nuse

AAdj
Adjacent

2. Next determine what information you have, what information

you need and which of the following formulae / ratios to use.
Sine (SSin) = Opposite (OOpp) Hypotenuse (HHy)
Cosine (CCos) = Adjacent (AAdj) Hypotenuse (HHy)
Tangent (TTan) = Opposite (OOpp) Adjacent (AAdj)
A common way to remember the formulae / ratios is to sound
them out phonetically; SOH CAH TOA.

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101

Example
What is the length of side X?

31

1. Names the sides.

Opposite

Hy

po

ten

us

31
Adjacent

2. Identify what information

you have.

Opposite

Hy

po

ten

us

31
Adjacent

Opposite

Hy

3. Identify what information

you need?

po
X

ten

us

31
Adjacent

4. Choose the formula / ratio that contains both the information

you have and the information you need.
You have: the angle (Sin, Cos or Tan)

Length of the Opposite
You need: Length of Hypotenuse
Formula: Sin = Opposite Hypotenuse

Sin 31 = 4 X

0.515 = 4 X (transpose)

X = 4 0.515

X = 7.8
Note | Angles must be changed to a dimension ratio. Using a
scientific calculator, press Sin, then 31 and then equals. Use
inverse function to turn a dimension ratio back to an angle.
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28.6.4 Single Leg Wire Rope Slings

When wire rope is bent around, for example a pin, its capacity is
reduced, and can be seriously damaged if bent around a sharp
edge.

D/d Ratio 25:1 = 93% Efficiency

D/d Ratio 5:1 = 77% Efficiency

D/d Ratio 1:1 = 50% Efficiency

The following table shows D/d Ratios (D = diameter of sheave,

pin or load, d = diameter of wire) and sling configuration
efficiency, expressed as a percentage.

Note | To simplify operational use 50% (1:1), 75% (5:1) and

100% (25:1) are used to determine wire rope sling capacities.
Specific values / efficiencies should be used out with these
generalisations for engineered lifts by using the following
formulae:
When Ratio = 6 or less use: E = 100 (50 Ratio)
When Ratio = 6 or more use: E = 100 (76 R0.73)
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Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

28.6.8 Sling Tension Formulae

When lifting points and sling legs are at different heights and
lengths to compensate for an offset CoG, Vertical Reaction
Forces can be used with the following two formulae to determine
sling tension:
Sling Tension = (VRF x SL) SH
Sling Tension = VRF Sin

(example 1)
(example 2)

Example 1
Sling Tension 1 = (VRF1 x SL) SH

(257 x 1592) 1389

409,144 1389
Sling Tension 1 = 295 kg
Sling Tension 2 = (VRF2 x SL) SH

(343 x 1510) 1389

517,930 1389
Sling Tension 2 = 373 kg

mm
Sli
n

mm

gL

510

en

=1

gth

1=

th 2

15

eng

92

gL

Sling Height = 1389 mm

Slin

Sling Tension 2 = 373 kg

Sling Tension 1 = 295 kg

VRF 1 = 257 kg
VRF 2 = 343 kg

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Example 2
Sling Tension 1 = VRF 1 Sin

257 Sin 60

257 0.866
Sling Tension 1 = 297 kg
Sling Tension 2 = VRF 2 Sin

343 Sin 66

343 0.913
Sling Tension 2 = 376 kg

Sling Tension 2
= 376 kg

Sling Tension 1
= 297 kg

VRF 1 = 257 kg
VRF 2 = 343 kg

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People. Process. Performance.

Example 1
Cross-haul a load from Point A to Point B using two vertical
rigging arrangements.

In this example, if the rigging does not exceed 45 the greatest

tension i.e. the weight of the load, will be applied to the
appliances and accessories at position A when the load is initially
lifted, and at position B when the cross-haul is complete.
Note | Engineering input / calculation / approval is required if a
vertical rigging arrangement is to exceed 45 and where more
than two vertical rigging arrangements are connected to and
used to lift a load.

132

People. Process. Performance.

Tension 2 = Load Weight x

SL2 x DDIST1

(SH1 x DDIST2) + (SH2 x DDIST1)

Tension 1 = Load Weight x

SL1 x DDIST2

(SH1 x DDIST2) + (SH2 x DDIST1)

SH1

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DDIST1

Tension 1

SL
1
2
SL

DDIST2

Tension 2

To determine the actual tension at any point during a cross-haul using vertical rigging, use the following formulae:

Example 1

Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

133

SH2

134

People. Process. Performance.

0.7 tonne

0.7

Tension 1 = 1 x

Tension 1 =

1.05
1.5

Tension 1 = 1 x

Tension 1 = 1 x
1.05

0.75 + 0.75

Tension 1 = 1 x
1.4 x 0.75

(1 x 0.75) + (0.75 x 1)

Tension 1 = Load Weight x

SL1 x DDIST2

(SH1 x DDIST2) + (SH2 x DDIST1)

Example 2

DDIST1 = 1m

Tension 1

SL
1
=
4m

1.
2
SL

Tension 2

1m

1.

DDIST2 = 0.75m

SH2 = 0.75m

SH1 = 1m

1. Draw a vertical line 10cm long, which will represent 1

tonne i.e. the weight of the load
2. From the bottom of the vertical line, draw a line at 45
(this will represent the angle of tension on the left hand
side)
3. From the top of the vertical line, draw another line at
45 until it crosses the second line (this will represent
the angle of tension on the right hand side)
4. Measure the length of the second and third lines. Use
the same ratio as the first line to determine tension i.e.
10cm = 1 tonne, therefore 7 cm = 0.7 tonne

Scaled vector diagram using the rigging arrangement in

example 2.

Example 3

7c

7c

0k

70

0k

70

10cm = 1000kg

Tension in a rigging arrangement can also be determined by drawing a scaled vector diagram. This is where arrows represent tension
(length) and direction (angle of tension).

Rigging and Lifting Operations Handbook

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135

136

People. Process. Performance.

Note | Engineering input / calculation / approval is required

if a vertical rigging arrangement exceeds 45 and / or the
horizontal rigging exceeds the horizontal plane.

In this example, the tension in the vertical rigging at 45

will be approximately 1.5 times the weight of the load. The
tension in the level horizontal rigging will be the same as the
weight of the load.

Cross-haul a load from Point A to Point B using one vertical

and one horizontal rigging arrangement.

Example 4

Plane

Horizontal

Note | During cross-hauling operations, do not stand

or operate hoists in the potential swing path of a load,
should the lifting equipment part.

Scaled vector diagram using the rigging arrangement

in example 4.

Example 5

To determine the actual tension at any point during

this type of cross-haul a scaled vector diagram can
be used.

cm

14
=
4

1.
to
nn
e

10cm = 1 tonne

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137

10cm = 1 tonne

138

People. Process. Performance.

In this example a scaled vector diagram illustrates

the tensions applied to the vertical and horizontal
rigging arrangements after the angles have been
increased by 10.

Example 6

.3c

23
=
3t
on
n
e

= 1.94

2.3

19.4cm
tonne

10cm = 1 tonne