1.

Title
Method Statement for Plate Load Testing.

2. Purpose and Scope

This method statement is for the purpose of Measuring the Settlement of
the Replacement Soil for the New Plot Molasses Tank

3. References
• Geotechnical Report Recommendations.
• Soil Replacement Report From GSCE.

4. Material
 Gravely Soil.
5. Equipment and Tools
 Test Plate.
 Hydraulic Jack & Pump.
 Dial Gauges.
 Pressure Gauges.
 Plumb Bob, Spirit Level.
 Loader.
6. Methodology
What is Plate Load Test?
Plate load test is a field test, which is performed to determine the ultimate bearing
capacity of soil and the probable settlement under a given load.
For performing this test, the plate is placed at the desired depth, then the load is
applied gradually and the settlement for each increment of load is recorded. At one
point a settlement occurs at a rapid rate, the total load up to that point is calculated
and divided by the area of the plate to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of
soil at that depth. The ultimate bearing capacity is then divided by a safety factor
(typically 2.5~3) to determine the safe bearing capacity.

Plate Load Test Procedure

The necessary steps to perform plate load test is as follows:
1-Identify the Location to be Plate Load Tested.
2-Grade and Level the location Well.
3-Put the Test Plate on the Leveled Soil and Make Sure of its Horizontality using the
Spirit Level.
4-Put the Hydraulic Jack on the Plate and Make Sure it is Centered with The Test
Plate and Check its Verticality Using the Plumb Bob.
5-Conncect the Hydraulic Pump Arm to the Hydraulic jack.
6-Connect the Pressure Gauge to the Hydraulic Pump to Measure the Applied
Pressure.
7-Put Steel Angles (or Similar) on Left and Right Side of the Test Plate and Make Sure
of its Horizontality Using the Spirit Level.
8- Fix the Dial Gauges to These Angles.
9-The Sensor Tip of the Dial Gauge is Nearly Touching the Test Plate.
10-Take the Readings of the Dial Gauges After Fixation.
11- Make the Loader Centered over the Hydraulic Jack (its Center of Gravity to be at
the Centroid of the Hydraulic Jack).
12-Apply Load Gradually as Follows:
I. Apply 1 kg/cm2 Using the Hydraulic Pump (Use the Hydraulic Pump Arm to
Apply Hydraulic Pressure to the Hydraulic Jack Which Itself Will Convert the
Hydraulic Pressure to Lifting Pressure to Lift the Loader and Consequently this
Pressure Will Transform to Normal Force on The Test Plate).
II. Record the Readings of the Dial Gauges Which Will Represent the Settlement.
III. Record the Readings Every 3 Minutes for the Same Load for 5 Times.
IV. Increase the Load and Repeat the Same Procedure Above.
V. Decrease the Load Gradually and Record the Opposite Reading.
VI. Plot a Graph Between Applied Load and Opposite Settlement.
7. Conclusion
Using the Graph Plotted Using the Values of Applied
Load and The Opposite Settlement, Measure the Soil
Bearing Capacity and Average Settlement and
Compare This with the Design Bearing Capacity and
Design Settlement.
8. Responsibility
Accountable Engineer: Ahmed Khalifa
E-Mail : Ahmed.Khalifa@ebec-egypt.com ,
Ahmed_ali2015_a@yahoo.com
Mob.: 01066336937-01095432009

9- HSE Requirements

See WBS of the Plate Load Test.