Geotechnical In-Situ Tests and Plate Load Test (Detailed Notes)
Summary of Key In-Situ Geotechnical Tests
Plate Load Test (PLT)
• Principle: Rigid plate loaded incrementally at foundation level, settlements recorded.
Provides load–settlement curve, bearing capacity, and settlement characteristics.
• Applications: Shallow foundations, working platforms, pavements, crane mats. Useful in
coarse soils, stiff clays, fills.
• Parameters obtained: Ultimate bearing capacity (q₍ult₎), allowable bearing pressure
(q₍all₎), modulus of subgrade reaction (k), equivalent soil modulus (E).
Dilatometer Test (DMT)
• Principle: Flat blade with circular membrane pushed into soil, inflated with gas. Measures
p₀ (lift-off), p₁ (1.1 mm expansion), p₂ (closing pressure).
• Applications: Settlement prediction, liquefaction evaluation, slope stability, foundation
design. Applicable to clays, silts, sands (not gravels).
• Parameters obtained: Material Index (Iᴰ), Horizontal Stress Index (Kᴰ), Dilatometer
Modulus (Eᴰ). Derives constrained modulus (M), undrained shear strength (sᵤ), at-rest
pressure coefficient (K₀).
Pressuremeter Test (PMT)
• Principle: Cylindrical probe with expandable membrane inserted in borehole. Pressure
applied and volume change measured, giving stress–strain curve.
• Applications: Used in foundation and pile design, slope stability, soil/weak rock
characterization. Applicable in clays, sands, weathered rock.
• Parameters obtained: p₀ (at-rest pressure), pL (limit pressure), Eₘ (pressuremeter
modulus). Also derives φ′ (friction angle), sᵤ (undrained shear strength).
Vane Shear Test (VST)
• Principle: Four-bladed vane inserted in soft clay and rotated. Torque at failure gives
undrained shear strength.
• Applications: Very soft to soft clays (e.g. marine, alluvial, offshore deposits). Not suitable
for sands or fissured stiff clays.
• Parameters obtained: Undrained shear strength (sᵤ), remolded strength, sensitivity (St =
sᵤ(intact)/sᵤ(remolded)).
Detailed Notes: Plate Load Test (PLT)
Introduction
The Plate Load Test (PLT) measures bearing capacity and settlement by placing a rigid steel
plate on prepared soil at foundation level and loading incrementally. The load–settlement
curve provides ultimate bearing capacity q₍ult₎ and allowable bearing capacity q₍all₎.
How the Test is Conducted
A steel plate (0.3–0.6 m diameter) is placed in a pit at foundation depth. Load is applied
incrementally with hydraulic jack against reaction frame/weights. Settlements are
measured with dial gauges at each increment. Curve shows elastic, plastic, and failure
stages.
Scale Effect and Pressure Bulb
The stress influence zone (pressure bulb) extends ~1.5–2B beneath loaded area. Small
plates stress shallow compacted layers, large footings stress deeper strata. Thus small plate
tests may overestimate capacity if deeper weak soil exists.
Figure: Schematic comparison of a small plate test vs. an actual footing. The red dashed lines
show the pressure bulb or zone of stress influence. A small plate (left) primarily stresses the
shallow compacted layer, whereas a larger footing (right) has a deeper and wider stress
bulb reaching into the weaker subgrade layer. This illustrates the scale effect in PLT: a small
plate test may overestimate capacity.
Key Equations
For Cohesive Soils:
q₍ult,footing₎ = q₍ult,test₎
S₍footing₎ = S₍test₎ × (B / b)
For Cohesionless Soils:
q₍ult,footing₎ = q₍ult,test₎ × (B / b)
S₍footing₎ = S₍test₎ × [(B(b + 0.3)) / (b(B + 0.3))]²
Subgrade Reaction:
k = q / S (kN/m³)
Elastic Modulus:
E = (π × q × B × (1 - ν²)) / (4ρ)