PLATE LOAD TEST

INTRODUCTION
 Plate Load Test is a field test for determining
the Ultimate bearing capacity of soil and the
likely settlement under a given load.
 This test is very popular for selection and design
of Shallow foundation.
 Standard reference :IS:1888-1982.
 Total value of load on plate divided by the area
of steel plate gives the value of Ultimate
bearing capacity.
EQUIPMENTS
 Bearing plate
 Hydraulic Jack
 Reaction beam or truss
 Dial gauges
 Loading column
 Proving ring or load cell
 Pressure gauge
 Necessary equipment for
loading platform
SPECIFICATIONS
 Rough mild steel bearing plate :
Circural/Square
 Dimensions= 30cm, 45cm, 60cm or 75cm
 Instalment of load= 1/10qu or 1/5qs
 Depth of pit= Depth of foundation
 Width of pit= 5x width of plate
 Dial gauge connecting in 120 degree
 Settlement rate= 0.02mm/min
METHOD OF LOADING
TEST SETUP
PROCEDURE
 Choose the size of test plate(Bp).
 At the center of the pit, a small hole or depression is
created.
 Application of seating load of 0.07 kg/cm square.
 Load remove after 5-10 min, dial gauge is set to zero .
 The load is then applied in cumulative in equal increment
of 0.5-1kg/cm square.
 For each increment, settlement are noted down at different
time interval of 1,2.225,4,6.25,9,16,25min,1hr,2hr,till the
rate of settlement is not more then 0.02mm/min, not less
then 1hr for sandy gravelly soil
 Clays ,the settlement measure are taken for
24hours for each load increment
 Application of next higher load and the process is
repeated.
 Test is continued till a total settlement of 25mm
under normal condition or 50mm (under special
condition like dense gravel ,gravel-sand mixture) is
reached or till failure occurs whichever is earlier.
 Calculation of final settlement corresponding to each
loading intensity (average of settlement of all three
or four dial gauge readings).
 When settlement does not reach 25mm continue the
test till
CHARACTERISTICS
GENERAL EQUATIONS
 The following equation can be used for
foundation settlement calculation :
 1.For clay soil-
Settlement of foundation =settlement of plate x
^[(width of pit)/(size of plate].
 2.For Sandy soil –

Settlement of foundation =settlement of plate x

^[width of pit x(width of plate +0.3)/size of
plate x(width of pit +0.3)]^2.
 Equations for calculation of bearing
capacity of soil
1. For sandy soil -
Ultimate bearing capacity = Ultimate load for
plate X ^width of pit/ size of plate
Safe bearing capacity = Ultimate bearing
capacity/FOS
2. For clayey soil-
Ultimate bearing capacity = Ultimate load for the
plate
ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE
 Time saving and cost  Does not give ultimate
saving settlement in case of
 No vehicle required cohesive soil
 On site evaluation of
test results
 Easy to handle
 Reliable and precise
 Understanding of
foundation behavior
THANK
YOU