Service
Plate load test for bearing capacity
A plate load test verifies whether the soil or a structural layer can carry its design load. The static test is the reference method for bearing capacity and compaction, and the results reach your email within five minutes of the test.
- Method
- Static loading
- Result
- E1 · E2 · E2/E1
- Test record
- 5 min by email
- Counterweight
- We arrange it
- Locations
- GPS for each point
What bearing capacity means
Bearing capacity tells how much a structural layer settles under load. It is expressed as a deformation modulus, the E modulus, in megapascals (MPa): the higher the value, the stronger the layer.
A plate load test also tells you about compaction: the E2/E1 ratio shows how much the layer settles permanently under the first loading. The lower the ratio, the better the compaction.
A plate load test is done when
- The design requires an E2 value or a compaction ratio
- A structural layer is accepted before the next phase
- The subgrade is verified before construction starts
- An industrial floor or hall base is verified
- Fill below foundations is checked
- Loadman results need confirmation with the reference method
How the test works
Two loading cycles, three values
The plate is loaded twice. The difference between the loading cycles shows how well the layer has been compacted.
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Plate setup
The test point is levelled and the loading plate is seated firmly on its base.
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First loading
A hydraulic jack loads the plate against the counterweight in stages, and the settlement is measured at each stage.
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Unloading
The load is released. Part of the settlement recovers, part remains permanent.
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Second loading
The loading is repeated. The second loading gives E2, and the E2/E1 ratio indicates compaction.
What E1, E2 and E2/E1 mean
E1 is calculated from the first loading. A loose layer settles permanently, so E1 stays low.
E2 is calculated from the second loading and is used as the bearing capacity value of the layer. The higher the E2, the stronger the layer.
The E2/E1 ratio indicates compaction. In a well compacted layer the first loading causes little settlement and the ratio stays low. Acceptance limits come from the design and quality requirements.
Names
Plate load test, plate bearing test, levykuormituskoe
The test is also called a plate bearing test. In Finnish it is levykuormituskoe, or informally levypainekoe – all the same method.
We arrange the counterweight. The test needs a counterweight for the jack to load against. We arrange it ourselves, so you do not need to reserve a machine for the test.
Methods
Plate load test or Loadman?
The methods complement each other. The plate load test is the reference method for acceptance testing, while Loadman is fast for compaction control during the works.
| Plate load test | Loadman | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Static: a hydraulic jack loads the plate in stages | Dynamic: a falling weight strikes the loading plate |
| Counterweight | Needed – we arrange it, no machine needed from you | Not needed |
| Speed | Slower – fewer points | Fast – many points per day |
| Result | E1, E2 and the E2/E1 ratio | Dynamic E modulus |
| Best suited for | Acceptance testing when the design requires an E2 value | Trenches, confined spaces, compaction control during works |
Test record
What you get
The test record reaches your email within five minutes of the test. It shows at a glance which points meet the requirement and which do not, and it serves as the acceptance document for the structural layer.
- Load–settlement curve for every point
- E1, E2 and E2/E1 for each point
- Test point locations as GPS coordinates
- Comparison with the requirement: pass or fail
Area
Plate load tests in the Helsinki region and across Finland
We test on sites in the Helsinki region – Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa – and on long projects anywhere in Finland. We arrange the counterweight ourselves.
FAQ
Questions about plate load tests
What is a plate load test?
A plate load test is a static bearing capacity and compaction test. The plate is loaded twice with a hydraulic jack against a counterweight, and the settlements give the E1 and E2 moduli and their ratio E2/E1.
How quickly do I get the results?
The test record reaches your email within five minutes of the test, so the next layer can be built as soon as the results meet the requirement.
What does the E2/E1 ratio tell?
Compaction. A loose layer settles permanently under the first loading, so E1 stays low and the ratio grows. The lower the E2/E1, the better the compaction. The acceptance limit comes from the design.
Is a counterweight needed?
Yes, and we arrange it ourselves – you do not need to reserve a machine. Where a counterweight cannot reach the test point, such as a narrow trench, Loadman testing may be an alternative.
How many test points are needed?
The test frequency comes from the design or the quality requirements. If it has not been specified, we propose the number of points based on the structure and area before testing.
What if the bearing capacity is not sufficient?
The test record shows which points fall below the requirement. The layer is recompacted or the material replaced, and those points are tested again.
How much does a plate load test cost?
Pricing is case by case: an hourly rate or a fixed price. The price is calculated from the drawings, based on the number of test points and site visits. We arrange the counterweight. Contact us and send the drawings.
A tester or inspector for your project, for its entire duration
Tell us about your project and send the drawings: we use them to calculate the duration and price of the work, as an hourly rate or a fixed price.