This Plate Bearing 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.

Plate and measuring tunnel

A protection jig is fitted on the steel plate to prevent any buckling of the hydraulic cylinder.

Additional 600 and 762 m dia. plates.

The loading plate is made in high strength structural steel 300 mm diameter. The measuring tunnel, being the reference point for the measuring bridge, is mounted on this plate.

Hydraulic assembly

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 to close the gap between upper spherical seat and reaction frame.

All models use a dual flow hand pump connected to the cylinder with flexible hydraulic hose 3-meter long.

The entire hydraulic assembly is housed in a plastic wheeled carrying case standard included.

 Load and displacement (settlement) measurement

Two alternatives measuring options are available:

Electronic configuration with high precision load cell and 50 mm stroke displacement transducer connected to the readout unit, battery operated.

Analogue configuration with triple scale manometer 200 mm dia. and 30x0.01 mm dial gauge.

Measuring bridge

Made in aluminium alloy, lightweight, transportable, quick to assembly on site, features 3 adjustable supports and an in-built spirit level.

The telescopic arm, with 120 mm stroke, allows precise adjustment of the reference point at the centre of the plate.

The measuring arm adopts a zero friction - linear bearing solution. The displacement (settlement) measuring device (dial gauge or electronic transducer) is tightly fixed on the arm.

The entire measuring bridge assembly can be housed inside a wooden carrying case.

Main Features:

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

Electronic versions fitted with high resolution load cell

4 different configurations with 100 and 200 kN capacity, analogue and electronic versions

Spherically seated loading jack. The seat surface is magnetic for simplifying the test execution

Telescopic measuring bridge made in aluminium alloy, lightweight, transportable and quick to assembly

Dual flow hand pump for quick contact to the reaction frame and for accurate test execution. Flexible hydraulic hose 3 m long included

Complete hydraulic assembly housed in a hard plastic wheeled carrying case (standard included)

Wooden carrying case for datum bar available as accessory.