The bearing plate test determines the soil bearing capacity by the application of an increasing pressure on a foundation formed by a circular plate loaded against a reaction frame and measuring the associated vertical displacement (settlement). Results are typically used for calculating the soil stiffness in term of Deformation Modulus and Subgrade Reaction Modulus.

Main Features:

Analogue, digital or electronic readings matching all budgets

Analogue version with 200 mm dia. triple scale manometer:  force (kN), oil pressure (Bar) and specific load (MN/m2)

3 capacities: 100, 200 and 500 kN

Digital version with digital read out unit featuring wide graphic display, rechargeable battery and built-in pressure transducer

Dual flow manual hand pump with flexible hydraulic hose 3 meters long

Electronic version with pressure and displacement transducers connected to high performing

Complete hydraulic assembly housed in a wooden wheeled carrying case

Loading jack with 2 spherical seats (the upper is magnetic for simplifying the test execution)

Measuring bridge made in aluminium alloy, lightweight, transportable and easy to assembly.

Technical Specifications:

Hydraulic assembly

3 different capacities are available (100, 200 and 500 kN). All models use a dual flow hand pump connected to the cylinder with flexible hydraulic hose 3 meters long.

The assembly comprises two spherical seats: the lower transfers the reaction load to the plate; the upper, mounted at the top end of the loading column, is magnetic for simplifying the test execution.

Extension rods are included for closing the gap between upper spherical seat and reaction frame.

Plate and measuring tunnel

The loading plates are made in high strength steel. All plates include practical handles for easy transportation and can be placed in a pyramid arrangement to ensure rigidity. The plate range is composed by:

160 mm (6”) dia. x 25 mm (1")

300 mm (12") dia. x 25 mm (1")

456 mm (18") dia. x 25 mm (1")

608 mm (24") dia. x 25 mm (1")

760 mm (30") dia. x 25 mm (1")

Load and displacement (settlement) measurement

3 alternatives measuring options are available:

Analogue configuration: with triple scale manometer dia. 200 mm and 30 mm x 0.01 mm dial gauges. Detail of the triple scale:

100 kN: force 0-100 kN (div. 0.5 kN); oil pressure 0-690 Bar (div. 2.5 Bar) and specific load 0-1.41 MN/m2 (div. 0.01 MN/m2)

200 kN: force 0-200 kN (div. 1 kN); oil pressure 0-600 Bar (div. 2.5 Bar) and specific load 0-2.83 MN/m2 (div. 0.02 MN/m2)  

500 kN: force 0-500 kN (div. 2.5 kN); oil pressure 0-700 Bar (div. 2.5 Bar) and specific load 0-7.07 MN/m2 (div. 0.05 MN/m2).

Measuring bridge

Made in aluminium alloy, lightweight, transportable, quick to assembly on site, features 2 external supports and in-built spirit level. The main measuring bar is 2.5 meter long and can be expanded with extensions up to 5.5 meters total length.