Provide reasons why field plate-loading tests performed at a planned construction site may give erroneous settlement information if the area is underlain by cohesive soils. (Hint: Field loading tests are frequently performed with bearing plates smaller in area than the foundation footings will be. Also consider the effects of consolidation.)
Provide reasons why field plate-loading tests performed at a planned construction site may give erroneous settlement information if the area is underlain by cohesive soils. (Hint: Field loading tests are frequently performed with bearing plates smaller in area than the foundation footings will be. Also consider the effects of consolidation.)
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Plate Load Test method is used to measure the bearing capacity and the settlement of the foundation. In plate load testing, square or circular shaped plate is used a model for the prototype foundation and the plate is placed at the proposed level of the foundation and is subjected to incremental loading. Settlement at each increment of loading is measured and a load-settlement curve is plotted. With the help of this load settlement curve, bearing capacity and the settlement of the foundation is determined.
Results of load tests need to be interpreted with caution, which includes:
- Test plate's width smaller than 30 cm should not be used, because experimental evidence has indicated that the load settlement behavior of the soil is quantitatively different for smaller widths of the test plates compared to that of larger widths.
- If the soil at the site is not homogeneous (that is different layers of soils are present) up to a larger depths relative to the size of foundation, then the plate load tests may lead to misleading results.
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