Test: Plate Load Test - Civil Engineering (CE) MCQ

The value of index n can be determined by carrying out two or more plate load tests on different size plate. In absence of test data, the following values of n can be adopted:
Dense sand : 0.4 to 0.5
Loose sand : 0.20 to 0.25
Clay : 0.003 to 0.05
Sand clay : 0.08 to 0.10.

A limitation of plate load test is
i) Effect of the size of foundation. For clayey soils the ultimate pressure for a large foundation is the same as that of the test plate. But in dense sandy soils, the bearing capacity increases, with the size of the foundation
ii) Plate load test is essentially a short duration test, and hence the test does not give the ultimate settlement, particularly in the case of cohesive soil.

The use of reaction truss is more popular now-a-days since this is simple, quick and less clumsy.