EFFECT OF SIZE OF TEST PLATES ON BEHAVIOUR OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION

Abstract

Plate load tests have been frequently used to assess the allowable bearing pressure of large• size footing resting on soil. These tests are normally carried out in the field as per standard specifications laid down by codes of practice on test plates not less than 30cm in width. However, it is uneconomical to conduct such a plate load test for design purposes in villages. For this purpose mini plate load test apparatus is fabricated. The results obtained can be used to extrapolate the load-settlement behaviour of footings. Since, there is a great deal of uncertainity about the load-settlement behaviour of small size tests plates on soils, a test programme has been devised to study the effect of size of test plates on bearing capacity and settlement. In the present work, mini Plate Load Test are conducted on the test plate of a 10cm square size and results are compared with actual plate load test on 30cm square plate. A correlation has been established