PLATE LOAD TEST REPORT

ABUJA

Prepared by:

Cigeotech Engineering Limited,

Civil/Geotechnical Engineers • Consultants• Project Managers
24A, Muslim Road, Off College Road, Kaduna.
Tel: 08038739289; 08098010049
E-mail: cigeotech09@gmail.com

March, 2022
 Plate Load Test

CONTENTS

1.0 Overview 3
2.0 Testing Equipment 5
3.0. Test Procedure 5
4.0 Settlement and Bearing Capacity Analysis 6
5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation 11

APPENDICES
Appendix A1: Load - settlement curve

PLATES
Plate A: Test set up

TABLE
Table 1: Summary of settlement and bearing capacity
Table 2: Test Information

2
 Plate Load Test

1. OVERVIEW
The report contains information on the plate load test carried out at
a site in Abuja. The test was conducted on the 19th and 20th March,
2022 at the proposed foundation depth, the size of plate used is
600mm. The test results are depicted in appendix A1 while
computation for each test point is in section 4. Table 1 shows the
summary of settlement and bearing capacity.

Table 1: Summary of settlement and bearing capacity

Test Assumed Plate Qu Settlement of Settlement of
point footing size (kN/m2) plate 𝑆𝑝 (mm) footing
width (m) (mm) 𝑆𝑓 (𝑚𝑚)
1 1.2 600 99 23 46
2 1.2 600 74 12 24
3 1.2 600 68 16 32
4 1.2 600 100 8 16
5 1.2 600 100 7.2 14.4
6 1.2 600 92 16 32
7 1.2 600 72 7.8 15.6
8 1.2 600 128 2 4
9 1.2 600 188 0.81 1.62
10 1.2 600 200 5.08 10.16

3
 Plate Load Test

Fig. 1 Site Plan

Table 2: Test Information

Test Location (Coordinate)
Depth of Test Pit Foundation level
Size of Plate 600mm
Reaction System Excavator
Width of test pit -
Permissible Settlement of foundation 25mm
Test Method Reaction
Test Procedure Maintained Load

Testing Standards BS 1377 (Part 9)

4
 Plate Load Test

2.0 TESTING APPARATUS

Reaction System
Excavator
Hydraulic Jack
The hydraulic jack is provided between the test plate and the
reaction base as loading apparatus.
Hydraulic Pump and Pressure Guage
This is provided to apply load to the pile through the hydraulic
jack and pressure gauge monitored the load applied.
Steel Test Plate
The steel plate is provided to transmit pressure from the
hydraulic jack through the pressure column and to provide
base for magnet base.
Dial gauges
Two dial gauges are provided to monitor the displacement
using a reference beam. The micrometer has a range of 0-25
mm and accuracy of 0.01 mm.
Reference Beam
The reference beam channel is cross- connected and laid on
support, firmly fixed in the ground.
Magnet Base
The magnet bases are provided to hold firmly the dial gauges

3.0 TEST PROCEDURE

• The test is conducted in conformity with BS 1377 (Part 9):
1990 Standard.

5
 Plate Load Test

4.0 Settlement and Bearing Capacity Analysis

From the test results, a load-settlement curve was plotted as shown
in plate test result (appendix A1). The ultimate load is estimated by
drawing tangent to the curved portion and trace the points of
intersection along load and settlement axis.
The bearing capacity of foundation resting on clay is the same as
that obtained for the plate. The settlement of the foundation using
an assumed breadth of foundation may be found by making use of
the following equations.

Sf = Sp { }2
B﴾Bp + 0.3﴿
Bp(B + 0.3﴿

In clay soils,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Where;
𝑆𝑓 Permissible Settlement of footing in mm
𝑆𝑝 Settlement of test plate in mm
𝐵 Size of footing in meters (m); Assume 1.2m
𝐵𝑝 Size of test plate in meters (0.6m).
Permissible Settlement of footing when B is 1.5m therefore is;

6
 Plate Load Test

Test point 1
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟗𝟗. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 23mm
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 23 x 1.2/0.6
= 46mm
Test point 2
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟕𝟒. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 12mm
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 12 x 1.2/0.6
= 24mm
Test point 3
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟔𝟖. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 16mm
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = 16 x 1.2/0.6
= 32mm

7
 Plate Load Test

Test point 4
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 8
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = 8 x 1.2/0.6
= 16mm
Test point 5
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 7.2
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 7.2 x 1.2/0.6
= 14.4mm
Test point 6
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟗𝟐. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 16
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 16 x 1.2/0.6
= 32mm

8
 Plate Load Test

Test point 7
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟕𝟐. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 7.8mm
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 7.8 x 1.2/0.6
= 15.6mm
Test point 8
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟏𝟐𝟖. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 2
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 2 x 1.2/0.6
= 4mm
Test point 9
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟏𝟖𝟖. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 0.81
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 0.81 x 1.2/0.6
= 1.62mm

9
 Plate Load Test

Test point 10
From Appendix A1, Plate Ultimate bearing capacity (qp) is
𝟐𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐 and settlement of test plate in mm 𝑆𝑝 = 5.08mm
For cohesive soil, qp = qf (Footing Ultimate bearing capacity)
Therefore, settlement of footing is,
Sf = Sp x B
Bp
Sf = Sp x 1.2/0.6
Sf = 5.08 x 1.2/0.6
= 10.16mm

10
 Plate Load Test

6.0 CONCLUSION
The report contains information on the plate load test carried out at
a site in Abuja. The test was conducted on the 19th and 20th March,
2022 at the proposed foundation depth, the size of plate used is
600mm. The test results are depicted in appendix A1 while
computation for each test point is in section 4. Table 1 shows the
summary of settlement and bearing capacity.

7.0 RECOMMENDATION
Considering the low bearing capacity and high settlement values,
raft or pile foundation is hereby recommended for the intended
structure.

11
 Plate Load Test

Plate A: Test setup

12
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 19/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

50.00 10.805
2 1 70 2.0 9.36 12.25 21.610

100.00 24.010
3 2 140 7.0 20.22 27.80 48.020

150.00 40.900
4 3 210 17.0 41.30 40.50 81.800

200.00 57.685
5 4 280 21.0 58.11 57.26 115.370

225.00 60.756
6 5 250 25.0 60.23 61.28 121.511

250.00 64.825
7 6 420 50.0 64.19 65.46 129.650

Point 1 Load and Settlement Curve Appendix A1

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280
0.000

10.000
Qu = 99KN/m2
Settlement (mm)

20.000 Sp = 23.0mm
30.000

40.000

50.000

60.000

70.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

13
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 19/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 1.671
2 1 35 3.0 2.44 0.90 3.342

50.00 6.148
3 2 70 13.0 6.22 6.08 12.295

75.00 11.458
4 3 105 20.0 10.74 12.18 22.915

100.00 20.445
5 4 140 24.0 18.21 22.68 40.890

125.00 26.225
6 5 175 28.0 25.68 26.77 52.450

150.00 33.555
7 6 210 53.0 33.67 33.44 67.110

Point 2 Load and Settlement Curve

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00 140.00 160.00
0.000

5.000
Qu = 74KN/m2
Settlement (mm)

10.000 Sp = 12.0mm
15.000

20.000

25.000

30.000

35.000

40.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

14
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 19/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 8.000
2 1 35 0.5 6.93 9.08 16.000

50.00 12.122
3 2 70 1.0 11.81 12.44 24.243

75.00 19.360
4 3 105 8.0 18.95 19.77 38.719

100.00 30.230
5 4 140 12.0 28.32 32.14 60.460
125.00 37.355
6 5 175 16.0 36.49 38.22 74.710

150.00 42.590
7 6 210 41.0 42.33 42.85 85.180

Point 3 Load and Settlement Curve Appendix A1

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00 140.00 160.00
0.000

5.000

10.000
Qu = 68KN/m2
Settlement (mm)

15.000 Sp = 16.0mm
20.000

25.000

30.000

35.000

40.000

45.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

15
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 19/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 2.545
2 1 35 10.0 2.67 2.42 5.090

50.00 4.105
3 2 70 13.0 4.32 3.89 8.210

75.00 6.560
4 3 105 16.0 6.33 6.79 13.120

100.00 8.215
5 4 140 19.0 8.32 8.11 16.430

125.00 11.495
6 5 175 22.0 11.32 11.67 22.990

150.00 14.475
7 6 210 27.0 14.85 14.10 28.950

Point 4 Load and Settlement Curve Appendix A1

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00 140.00 160.00
0.000

2.000

4.000
Settlement (mm)

6.000 Qu = 100KN/m2
Sp = 8.0mm
8.000

10.000

12.000

14.000

16.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

16
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 19/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 1.538
2 1 35 15.0 1.10 1.98 3.075

50.00 3.660
3 2 70 25.0 3.21 4.11 7.320

75.00 6.265
4 3 105 29.0 5.32 7.21 12.530

100.00 7.330
5 4 140 34.0 6.45 8.21 14.660

125.00 8.775
6 5 175 37.0 8.67 8.88 17.550

150.00 10.050
7 6 210 42.0 9.89 10.21 20.100

250.00 14.135
8 7 350.00 47.0 13.76 14.51 28.270

Point 5 Load and Settlement Curve Appendix A1

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00
0.000

2.000

4.000
Settlement (mm)

6.000 Qu = 100KN/m2
Sp = 7.2mm
8.000

10.000

12.000

14.000

16.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

17
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 20/03/2022
Point 6
PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 7.990
2 1 35 10.0 5.90 10.08 15.980

50.00 10.785
3 2 70 15.0 8.39 13.18 21.570

75.00 13.650
4 3 105 25.0 11.37 15.93 27.300

100.00 16.855
5 4 140 30.0 12.53 21.18 33.710

125.00 21.450
6 5 175 35.0 12.67 30.23 42.900

150.00 25.485
7 6 210 40.0 15.55 35.42 50.970

250.00 37.390
8 7 350.00 50.0 35.67 39.11 74.780

Appendix A1 Load and Settlement Curve

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00
0.000

5.000

10.000
Qu = 92KN/m2
15.000 Sp = 16mm
Settlement (mm)

20.000

25.000

30.000

35.000

40.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

18
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 20/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 3.660
2 1 35 15.0 3.21 4.11 7.320

50.00 5.890
3 2 70 30.0 5.32 6.46 11.780

75.00 7.270
4 3 105 33.0 6.21 8.33 14.540

100.00 9.660
5 4 140 38.0 11.31 11.42 19.320

125.00 12.270
6 5 175 44.0 12.54 12.00 24.540

150.00 14.475
7 6 210 49.0 14.57 14.38 28.950

Point 7 Load and Settlement Curve Appendix A1

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00 140.00 160.00

0.000

2.000

4.000
Settlement (mm)

6.000 Qu = 72 KN/m2
Sp = 7.8mm
8.000

10.000

12.000

14.000

16.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

19
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 20/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 0.380
2 1 35 5.0 0.53 0.23 0.760

50.00 0.555
3 2 70 13.0 0.81 0.30 1.110

75.00 0.965
4 3 105 23.0 1.45 0.48 1.930

100.00 1.585
5 4 140 33.0 2.32 0.85 3.170

125.00 1.945
6 5 175 43.0 2.76 1.13 3.890

150.00 2.725
7 6 210 48.0 3.12 2.33 5.450

200.00 4.545
8 7 280.00 58.0 4.98 4.11 9.090

250.00 6.355
9 8 350.00 73.0 6.69 6.02 12.710

Point 8 Load and Settlement Curve Appendix A1

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00

0.000

1.000

2.000 Qu = 128 KN/m2

Sp = 2.0mm
Settlement (mm)

3.000

4.000

5.000

6.000

7.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

20
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 20/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
Load Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m
steps Load
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 0.020
2 1 35 5.0 0.01 0.03 0.040

50.00 0.265
3 2 70 15.0 0.26 0.27 0.530

75.00 0.325
4 3 105 25.0 0.37 0.28 0.650

100.00 0.425
5 4 140 35.0 0.47 0.38 0.850

125.00 0.520
6 5 175 45.0 0.56 0.48 1.040

150.00 0.600
7 6 210 50.0 1.03 0.56 1.200

200.00 0.900
8 7 280.00 65.0 1.11 0.69 1.800

250.00 1.300
9 8 350.00 80.0 1.27 0.79 2.600

Point 9 Load and Settlement Curve

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00
0.000

0.200

0.400
Settlement (mm)

0.600

0.800
Qu = 188kN/m2
Sp = 0.81mm
1.000

1.200

1.400

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

21
 Plate Load Test

CIGEOTECH ENGINEERING LIMITED

Civil, Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering Consultants
PLATE LOAD TEST RESULT
Plate Diameter mm
Plate Area m2 Appendix A1
DATE: 20/03/2022

PROJECT: Abuja

Working
Loading Applied
steps
Load
Load
Pressure Tim e Settlem ent in m m Point 10
Increm ent
Cum m ulative
Average
num ber Stage (kN) bar Tim e Dial Guage Dial Gage Total
(m m )
(Mins) 1(m m ) 2(m m ) Settlem ent

1 0.00 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.000

0 0.000

25.00 0.210
2 1 35 10.0 0.18 0.24 0.420

50.00 0.960
3 2 70 20.0 1.11 0.81 1.920

75.00 1.865
4 3 105 30.0 2.23 1.50 3.730

100.00 2.965
5 4 140 40.0 3.63 2.30 5.930

125.00 3.315
6 5 175 50.0 4.11 2.52 6.630

150.00 4.035
7 6 210 55.0 4.65 3.42 8.070

200.00 5.170
8 7 280.00 65.0 5.92 4.42 10.340

250.00 7.225
9 8 350.00 80.0 7.60 6.85 14.450

Point 10
Load and Settlement Curve

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00

0.000

1.000

2.000

3.000
Settlement (mm)

4.000

5.000 Qu = 200kN/m2
Sp = 5.08mm
6.000

7.000

8.000

Plate Bearing Pressure (kN/m2)

22