Plate Load Test (PLT) – IS:1888

For designing shallow foundations, it is necessary to know the bearing capacity of soil at
the desired depth. Plate load test is performed on site to determine the ultimate bearing
capacity of soil at the desired depth. Data from plate load test is helpful to confirm the
design assumptions made from soil test or can be used as a design parameter.

Plate load test is a field test, which is performed to determine the ultimate bearing capacity
of soil and the probable settlement under a given load. This test is very popular for selection
and design of shallow foundation.
Equipment for Kentledge Pile Load Test:

The following types of equipment and machinery are required for Plate Load Test Procedure.

1. Excavator (JCB 3D or equivalent) – 1No

2. Tipper (10MT for material transportation) – As per lead
3. Mobile hydraulic crane – 1No (Capacity based on lifting requirement)
4. Welding machine and DG (for test arrangements) – 1 No
5. Hydraulic Jacks
6. Hydraulic pump or power pack
7. Calibrated Pressure Gauge
8. Calibrated dial gauges with least count 0.01 mm
Herewith we submitting our Methodology for routine plate load test based on IS 1888-
1982. Also, subgrade modulus need to be determined based on IS:9214, check the loading
accordingly.
PLATE LOAD TEST METHODOLOGY
1. Initially select a suitable location for test pit as decided by client
2. Mark the area and clean or excavation as for locate to the foundation bed level.

3. Stock concrete block over the ISMB arrangement as required for achieve the dead
loads.
4. Prepared the dead load structure by using concrete block, ISMB 450 mm platform as
required to achieve test load.

5. LOAD CALCULATION FOR LANDING PLATFORM

Loading arrangement shall be made at least two times the bearing pressure.

Required SBC = 60MT/m2

Hence Test bearing capacity = 60 x 2.0 = 120MT/m2
Plate size =1.0m x 1.0m =1.0m2
Plate size =0.60 x 0.60m =0.36m2
Plate size =0.30m x 0.30m =0.09m2
Test Load on plate = 120 x 1.0m2 = 120MT
Load increment (Ref.to clause no.4.6 of IS 1888-1982)
*20% of test load = 120 x 0.2 = 24MT/m2
*Load increment for above mentioned plate=24 x 1.0m2 =24MT
Initial load applied (Ref to clause no.4.5.2 of IS 1888-1982)
*70gm/cm2=0.700MT/m2
*Load applied on plate = 0.7 x 1.0 = 0.7 MT

6. As per IS 1888-1982 Clause 4.6 – Applied load to soil in cumulative equal increments
up to 1 kg/cm2 or one-fifth of the estimated ultimate bearing capacity, whichever is
less. In this test, have planned 10MT per load increment.
7. Place the base plate over a fine sand layer (5mm Max thick) at center of the main
ISMB 450(load carrying girder at centre of stage) and centering by using plumb bob &
spirit level.
8. After finish the plate installation adjustment height are place above the plate carefully.
9. Then Hydraulic jack plate properly that the load form bead transfer through jack to
plate.
10. if water come over plate or test location from ground then remote water by pumping.
 11. Applying the initial load and then applied 20 %of load continued to maximum load.
12. For each load increment settlement should be observed an interval of
1,2.25,4,6.25,9,16,25,60min.
13. Load increment stop if settlement rate more than 0.02mm/min and check settlement
continue hourly. Each load increment shall be kept for not less than 1 hours. The rest
shall be continuing till 25mm (50mm in special cases)

14. Conclusion:

1. Ref: IS 1888-1982 Clause: 4.7

The test shall be continued till, settlement of 25mm under normal circumstances or 50mm in special
cases such as dense gravel, gravel and sand mixture, is obtained.

2. Ref: As per IS 9214 – 1979, Method of Determination of Modulus of Sub grade Reaction (K
Value) of Soils in Field.
Calculation of Bearing Capacity from Plate Load Test
After collection of field data, the load-settlement curve is drawn. It is a logarithmic graph
where the load applied is plotted on X - axis and settlement in Y - axis. From the graph, the
ultimate load for the plate is obtained which is the corresponding load for settlement of one-
fifth of the plate width.

In this plate load test report, we will include the ultimate bearing capacity of soil, the
probable settlement under a given load and the modulus of subgrade reaction (K Value)
also given.
 Plate Load Test – Kentledge Method

Figure – 1 Loading Arrangement for Plate Load Test at surface level

Figure – 2 Loading Arrangement for Plate Load Test at surface level

 Figure – 3 Dial Gauge arrangement

Figure – 4 Pressure Gauge and Jack arrangement

Figure – 5 Hydraulic Jack arrangement

Figure – 6 Test processing