SULTANATE OF OMAN
PLATE BEARING TEST REPORT
FOR
AL BAHJA MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK
AT
AL BAHJAMALL
CONTRACTOR: SYNERGY PETROLUM INTERNATIONAL LLC
PREPARED BY: GEOSOL ENGINEERING Co. LLC
REVISION STATUS
ISSUE DATE DESCRIPTION PRP CHCK APPRVD
Rev.00 31.07.2016 REPORT ISSUED AS ME MAH
Reference No.:- GSE/05/2-307-28/16
AL BAHJA MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK GEOSOL ENGINEERING Co. LLC
AL BAHJA MALL – AL HAIL NORTH
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO
1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. BRIEF DESCPTION OF PLATE BEARING TEST 3
3. TEST PROCEDURES 4
4. TEST RESULTS 4
5. CONCLUSION 5
RFERENCES 6
Appendices
Appendix (A): Plans
Appendix (B): Test Results
Appendix (C): Field Data
Appendix (D): Photographs
Appendix (E): Calibration Certificates
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1. INTRODUCTION
Geosol Engineering Co. LLC was commissioned by M/s SYNERGY PETROLUM
INTERNATIONAL LLC to perform Three Plate Bearing as part of their project for the Design &
Construction of Multi-Storey Car Park to be constructed for AL BAHJA MALL- SULTANATE
OF OMAN. The main objective of the tests is to verify the bearing capacity at the test level.
2. BRIEF DESCPTION OF PLATE BEARING TEST
Plate bearing test is a common field test which is used to estimate allowable bearing capacity,
expected settlement, and/or the modulus of subgrade reaction of soil. According to ASTM D1194-
94, this test method can be used as part of a procedure for soil investigation for foundation design. It
gives information on the soil only to a depth equal to about two diameters of the bearing plate. The
results obtained from a Plate Bearing Test are extrapolated to prototype foundation using different
extrapolation methods. The Plate Bearing Test was carried out in accordance with BS 1377 Part 9,
1990 British Standard Methods of Test for Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes- Insitu Tests.
2.1 EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS
2.1.1 Loading Device
A Loaded Truck to produce the desired reaction on the surface under test.
2.1.2 Hydraulic Jack Assembly
A calibrated Hydraulic Jack Assembly having sufficient capacity of the maximum applied
load.
2.1.3 Hydraulic Pump with Pressure Gauge
A Hydraulic Pump with calibrated Pressure Gauge with least count of 47.3kg for the
measurement of the load.
2.1.4 Circular Bearing Plates
A set of circular plates of 260mm and 300mm diameters are arranged in pyramid
fashion to ensure sufficient rigidity for the test.
2.1.5 Dial Gauges
Three Dial gauges with least count of 0.01mm placed on the periphery of the circular
bearing plates that is connected to the reference beam to note the deflections of the plate load
test.
2.1.5S prit Level
A Sprit Level for the preparation of the surface to be tested for operation of the equipment.
3. TEST PROCEDURE
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AL BAHJA MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK GEOSOL ENGINEERING Co. LLC
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Plate loading tests were carried out at the proposed car park location in accordance with BS 1377
Part 9, 1990. The location of the tests was set out by the Contractor in accordance with the
Engineer’s recommendations.
A Loaded Truck was positioned near the test point to provide reaction load (Kentledge) to the
testing apparatus. An area covered with an asphalt layer is selected to be tested below the
bearing plates (set of 260 and 300mm diameter plates were used) after which, a hydraulic jack was
installed between the base plate and the Loaded Truck. The Bearing Plate (300 mm) was in direct
contact with the asphalt layer and the other plate were placed concentric to ensure uniform
distribution of contact pressure over the test area. A reference beam with dial gauges (with 0.01mm
divisions) was then installed to measure plate settlement. The jack was actuated with a hydraulic
pump equipped with a load measuring gauge. The incremental load was applied gradually and the
corresponding settlement of the bearing plate were recorded.
Selected site photographs are presented in Appendix (D) and calibration certificates for the
equipment used in the test are presented in Appendix (E).
4. TEST RESULTS
The test load was applied on the steel plate with diameter of 300mm. Pressure-settlement curve
(called Load-Settlement) was plotted and presented inAppendix (B).
At the request of the main contractor, the test were carried out on the existing asphalt paved surface
at the locations shown in Fig (1) in Appendix (A) for bearing pressure of 600 kN/m2. The test results
obtained are summarized in table (1) and plotted graphically showing pressure-settlement
relationship as shown in Figs. No. (2) to (4) in Appendix (B), while the field data are presented in
Tables (2) to (4) in Appendix (C).
Table (1): Summary of Test Results
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Average Average
Settlement Settlement
Allowable
TestBearing at at
Test Depth Bearing Plate
Test No. Pressure Allowable Test
(m) Pressure Dia.(m)
(in kN/m2) bearing bearing
(in kN/m2)
pressure pressure
(mm) (mm)
1 600.0 1800.0 0.3 1.025 2.467
On the paved
2 600.0 1800.0 0.3 1.340 3.170
surface
3 600.0 1800.0 0.3 1.380 4.253
5. CONCLUSION
From the table above, the following points are noted:
1. The tests were conducted using plate with diameter 300 mm and the maximum stress reached
at the test was 1800kN/m2 which is three times the anticipated stresses at this level.
2. No bearing capacity failure have been occurred up to maximum stress reached at the test.
3. According to BS 8004: 1986, the safety factor against shear failure shall be 3. During the test,
no bearing capacity failure was observed due to the test stress. Accordingly, the factor of
safety against shear failure is achieved and the allowable bearing capacity at the test location
could be considered 600kN/m2.
For GEOSOL ENGINEERING
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REFERENCES:
ASTM D1194 -94, Standard Test Method forBearing Capacity of Soil for Static
Load and SpreadFootings
BS 1377 Part 9, 1990 British Standard Methods of Test for Soils for Civil
Engineering Purposes- Insitu Tests
British Standard Code of Practice for Site Investigation: BS 5930, 1999.
British StandardCode of Practice for Foundations BS: 8004, (1986).
Hans F. Winterkon and Hsai-Yang Fang, 1975 “Foundation Engineering
Handbook”.
R.M. Koerner, 1987 “Construction and Geotechnical Methods in Foundation
Engineering”.
British Standard Methods of test for Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes:
BS1377: Parts 9, 1990-Insitu tests.
J.E. Bowels, 1996 “Foundation Analysis and Design”. McGraw Hill International
Book Company.
M. J. Tomlinson, 1996 “Foundation Design and Construction” English Language
Book Society / Longman.
G. N. Smith and Ian G. N. Smith, 1998 “Elements of Soil Mechanics” Seventh
Edition.
Muscat, July 2016
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