Plate Load Test

As part of the construction of road embankments or foundations, the plate load test is a non-invasive investigation used to determine the bearing capacity of soil by defining its deformation moduli Md and Md’. The test is carried out by applying a load to a circular plate with a diameter of 300 mm, while simultaneously measuring settlements using three displacement transducers placed 120° apart. The procedure includes a double load/unload cycle with incremental load steps.

Reference standard: CNR B.U. A. XXVI n°146 – 1992