Plate‐Load Tests of Collapsible Soils

Abstract

Plate‐load tests are considered the most reliable and informative source of soil‐deformation properties required for a successful foundation design. Plate‐load test results are influenced by many factors: plate or experimental foundation dimensions/configuration, soil conditions, testing technique, etc. Numerous experiments demonstrated that there is a linear relationship between settlements of plates or foundations and square roots of their areas varying between approximately 0.06 and 25.0 m\u2. Two major soil parameters (deformation modulus and proportionality limit) can be determined utilizing a load‐settlement curve developed from field tests. Collapsible soil behavior under foundations depends on the degree of soil‐saturation values. This paper presents the results of plate‐load tests performed on collapsible soils under in situ and wetted conditions. The results of laboratory and field tests are compared.