<p><p><strong>References:<br></strong><em> Schaefer et al. (2016)<br>Mitchell (1981)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary </strong></p><p>The standardized procedure for performing a plate load test can be found in ASTM D‑1194.</p><p><strong>Accuracy and Precision</strong></p><p>The plate load test only tests the soil at a limited depth (approximately 2 times the width of the plate) and therefore only quantifies the improvement at a very shallow depth.</p><p><strong>Adequacy of Coverage</strong></p><p>The frequency of testing is based on size of construction, number of machines in operation, complexity of ground, and importance of the structure being built. Depending on the importance of the project, more or less plate load tests can be performed to determine the bearing capacity and elastic modulus for a representative area. Because the test only measures the improvement at shallow depth, the coverage for the full depth of improvement is not considered adequate.</p><p><strong>General Comments</strong></p><p>This test uses a relationship between the applied load and plate settlement to determine the bearing capacity and Young’s modulus of the soil beneath the plate. While the results may not represent long-term performance, this is a frequently used and trusted test. However, because the plate load tests typically measure the improvement at a shallow depth, it may not be able to provide a good indication of the site’s ability to support the service load. The depth of measurement during a plate load testing is a function of the plate size.</p></p>