QA/QC  › Soil & Foundation  › Plate Load Test
Test-report · QC-SOL-TST-007
Plate Load Test Report
24 checkpoints across 6 sections. In-situ bearing capacity test to determine safe bearing pressure for shallow foundations; required for critical structures or when soil boring data insufficient; establishes design bearing capacity & settlement predictions
24 Checkpoints
6 Sections
Once per major soil strata; additional tests if strata significantly changes; typically 1–3 tests per project
Foundation Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer

Checklist Preview

S.No.CheckpointIS RequirementStatus
A. TEST SETUP & CONFIGURATION
A1Test location preparation
Acceptance: Pit properly prepared; bottom level ±10 mm; no loose soil or debris on bearing surface; surface suitable for bearing plate
Excavation at test location to required depth below GL; pit size: minimum 3B × 3B where B = plate dimension (e.g., for 300 mm plate, pit ≥900 mm × 900 mm); pit bottom leveled & compacted; soil surface uniform for plate bearing
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A2Bearing plate specification & preparation
Acceptance: Plate dimensions verified; surface smooth & level; sand cushion uniform; plate position centered on test area
Square or circular steel plate: typical sizes 300 mm, 450 mm, 600 mm, 750 mm; thickness ≥25 mm; plate bottom cleaned & sandpapered for uniform bearing; plate placed on sand cushion (10 mm sand layer for soil protection per IS 1888 Clause 4.2)
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A3Reaction system (Kentledge or Anchor Piles)
Acceptance: Reaction system stable; load/anchors adequate; no settlement during test setup; reaction beam horizontal ±5 mm
For kentledge: reaction frame anchored or weighted by heavy load (sand bags, concrete blocks) ≥2.5 times estimated bearing capacity × plate area; load stable & non-settling. For anchor piles: anchor piles (min 2, diameter ≥150 mm, depth ≥5 m) with reaction beam per IS 1888 Clause 4.3
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A4Loading jack & pressure gauge
Acceptance: Jack capacity sufficient; alignment vertical; gauge calibrated within 12 months; reading visibility clear
Hydraulic jack capacity ≥estimated bearing capacity × plate area × 1.5 (safety factor); jack positioned vertically above plate center per IS 1888 Clause 4.4; pressure gauge (0–500 kPa range typical) with ±1% accuracy
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A5Settlement measurement devices
Acceptance: Two or more gauges functional; accuracy verified; frame rigid & independent; zero reading checked before test; readings within ±0.01 mm precision
Minimum 2 dial gauges (sensitivity 0.01 mm, range ≥50 mm) mounted on rigid frame independent of loading apparatus; gauges positioned diametrically opposite on plate ±150 mm from center; rigid beam or yoke supporting gauges, not touching loading frame per IS 1888 Clause 4.5
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
A6Seating load application
Acceptance: Seating load applied & removed; gauge readings stable after seating; zero reference set before loading begins
Seating load applied (typically 70 kPa on plate) per IS 1888 Clause 5.1; held for 5–10 min to seat apparatus & measure initial settlement; load then released; dial gauges reset to zero for actual test
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B. LOADING SCHEDULE & PROCEDURE
B1Load increment definition
Acceptance: Increment size defined & documented; typically 50 kPa increments for soils; increments uniform
Load increment (ΔP) = estimated safe bearing capacity ÷ 5 OR 50 kPa, whichever is smaller, per IS 1888 Clause 5.2. For example, if estimated SBC = 250 kPa, increment = 50 kPa. Increments uniform throughout test.
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B2Loading sequence & settlement stabilization
Acceptance: Load increments applied systematically; settlement readings detailed; stabilization verified (rate <0.02 mm/hr); hold time ≥1 hr documented
At each load increment: load applied gradually (≤30 sec); settlement readings taken at specified intervals (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 min, etc.) until settlement rate <0.02 mm/hr per IS 1888 Clause 5.2; minimum hold time = 1 hour per load increment
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B3Continuation of loading
Acceptance: Loading criterion clearly defined in report; test stopped at defined limit; final load & settlement recorded
Loading continued (at stabilization) until: (a) Total settlement reaches 25 mm (typical limit per IS 6403 Clause 4.1), OR (b) Total settlement reaches B/10 (plate dimension), OR (c) Double tangent point observed on load-settlement curve, OR (d) Load reaches 1.5 × design load. Whichever occurs first.
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
B4Failure recognition
Acceptance: Failure mode identified; ultimate bearing capacity (if reached) documented; test halted at failure to avoid apparatus damage
Failure indicated by: continuous increase in settlement without increase in load (punch-through), OR load-settlement curve becomes vertical. At failure, note load at failure (Qf) per IS 6403 Clause 4.2
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C. TEST RESULTS — LOAD-SETTLEMENT DATA
C1Data table — loading phase
Acceptance: Data complete & legible; calculations verified; settlement values reasonable (typically 0–25 mm); dial readings match avg. settlement
Table columns: Load Increment No., Applied Pressure (kPa), Cumulative Load (kN), Settlement Dial 1 (mm), Settlement Dial 2 (mm), Average Settlement (mm), Time elapsed (min), Rate of settlement (mm/hr). All rows for each load increment until test completion.
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C2Unloading phase data
Acceptance: Unload data recorded; rebound measured; elastic recovery calculated from total rebound; plastic deformation = total settlement − elastic rebound
After loading completion, unload in same decrements (ΔP). Record settlement (elastic rebound) at each unload step. Table format similar to loading phase: Load Step No., Pressure (kPa), Settlement Dial 1 & 2 (mm), Average Settlement, Time, Rebound rate
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
C3Elastic & plastic deformation
Acceptance: Recovery & plastic components calculated; values documented; interpretation relative to soil type provided
Elastic recovery (rebound) = total rebound during unloading (typically 10–30% of total settlement for granular soils). Plastic deformation = total settlement at max load − elastic rebound. Ratio elastic:plastic provides indication of soil compressibility.
OK
NC
NA
HOLD
Showing 13 of 24 checkpoints ·
A. TEST SETUP & CONFIGURATION
A1Test location preparation
Excavation at test location to required depth below GL; pit size: minimum 3B × 3B where B = plate dimension (e.g., for 300 mm plate, pit ≥900 mm × 900 mm); pit bottom leveled & compacted; soil surface uniform for plate bearing (IS 1888 — Clause 4.1)
Pit properly prepared; bottom level ±10 mm; no loose soil or debris on bearing surface; surface suitable for bearing plate
OKNCNAHOLD
A2Bearing plate specification & preparation
Square or circular steel plate: typical sizes 300 mm, 450 mm, 600 mm, 750 mm; thickness ≥25 mm; plate bottom cleaned & sandpapered for uniform bearing; plate placed on sand cushion (10 mm sand layer for soil protection per IS 1888 Clause 4.2) (IS 1888 — Clause 4.2)
Plate dimensions verified; surface smooth & level; sand cushion uniform; plate position centered on test area
OKNCNAHOLD
A3Reaction system (Kentledge or Anchor Piles)
For kentledge: reaction frame anchored or weighted by heavy load (sand bags, concrete blocks) ≥2.5 times estimated bearing capacity × plate area; load stable & non-settling. For anchor piles: anchor piles (min 2, diameter ≥150 mm, depth ≥5 m) with reaction beam per IS 1888 Clause 4.3 (IS 1888 — Clause 4.3)
Reaction system stable; load/anchors adequate; no settlement during test setup; reaction beam horizontal ±5 mm
OKNCNAHOLD
A4Loading jack & pressure gauge
Hydraulic jack capacity ≥estimated bearing capacity × plate area × 1.5 (safety factor); jack positioned vertically above plate center per IS 1888 Clause 4.4; pressure gauge (0–500 kPa range typical) with ±1% accuracy (IS 1888 — Clause 4.4)
Jack capacity sufficient; alignment vertical; gauge calibrated within 12 months; reading visibility clear
OKNCNAHOLD
A5Settlement measurement devices
Minimum 2 dial gauges (sensitivity 0.01 mm, range ≥50 mm) mounted on rigid frame independent of loading apparatus; gauges positioned diametrically opposite on plate ±150 mm from center; rigid beam or yoke supporting gauges, not touching loading frame per IS 1888 Clause 4.5 (IS 1888 — Clause 4.5)
Two or more gauges functional; accuracy verified; frame rigid & independent; zero reading checked before test; readings within ±0.01 mm precision
OKNCNAHOLD
A6Seating load application
Seating load applied (typically 70 kPa on plate) per IS 1888 Clause 5.1; held for 5–10 min to seat apparatus & measure initial settlement; load then released; dial gauges reset to zero for actual test (IS 1888 — Clause 5.1)
Seating load applied & removed; gauge readings stable after seating; zero reference set before loading begins
OKNCNAHOLD
B. LOADING SCHEDULE & PROCEDURE
B1Load increment definition
Load increment (ΔP) = estimated safe bearing capacity ÷ 5 OR 50 kPa, whichever is smaller, per IS 1888 Clause 5.2. For example, if estimated SBC = 250 kPa, increment = 50 kPa. Increments uniform throughout test. (IS 1888 — Clause 5.2)
Increment size defined & documented; typically 50 kPa increments for soils; increments uniform
OKNCNAHOLD
B2Loading sequence & settlement stabilization
At each load increment: load applied gradually (≤30 sec); settlement readings taken at specified intervals (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 min, etc.) until settlement rate <0.02 mm/hr per IS 1888 Clause 5.2; minimum hold time = 1 hour per load increment (IS 1888 — Clause 5.2)
Load increments applied systematically; settlement readings detailed; stabilization verified (rate <0.02 mm/hr); hold time ≥1 hr documented
OKNCNAHOLD
B3Continuation of loading
Loading continued (at stabilization) until: (a) Total settlement reaches 25 mm (typical limit per IS 6403 Clause 4.1), OR (b) Total settlement reaches B/10 (plate dimension), OR (c) Double tangent point observed on load-settlement curve, OR (d) Load reaches 1.5 × design load. Whichever occurs first. (IS 6403 — Clause 4.1)
Loading criterion clearly defined in report; test stopped at defined limit; final load & settlement recorded
OKNCNAHOLD
B4Failure recognition
Failure indicated by: continuous increase in settlement without increase in load (punch-through), OR load-settlement curve becomes vertical. At failure, note load at failure (Qf) per IS 6403 Clause 4.2 (IS 6403 — Clause 4.2)
Failure mode identified; ultimate bearing capacity (if reached) documented; test halted at failure to avoid apparatus damage
OKNCNAHOLD
C. TEST RESULTS — LOAD-SETTLEMENT DATA
C1Data table — loading phase
Table columns: Load Increment No., Applied Pressure (kPa), Cumulative Load (kN), Settlement Dial 1 (mm), Settlement Dial 2 (mm), Average Settlement (mm), Time elapsed (min), Rate of settlement (mm/hr). All rows for each load increment until test completion. (IS 1888 — Clause 6)
Data complete & legible; calculations verified; settlement values reasonable (typically 0–25 mm); dial readings match avg. settlement
OKNCNAHOLD
C2Unloading phase data
After loading completion, unload in same decrements (ΔP). Record settlement (elastic rebound) at each unload step. Table format similar to loading phase: Load Step No., Pressure (kPa), Settlement Dial 1 & 2 (mm), Average Settlement, Time, Rebound rate (IS 1888 — Clause 6.1 (Note on unloading))
Unload data recorded; rebound measured; elastic recovery calculated from total rebound; plastic deformation = total settlement − elastic rebound
OKNCNAHOLD
C3Elastic & plastic deformation
Elastic recovery (rebound) = total rebound during unloading (typically 10–30% of total settlement for granular soils). Plastic deformation = total settlement at max load − elastic rebound. Ratio elastic:plastic provides indication of soil compressibility. (IS 6403 — Clause 4.3)
Recovery & plastic components calculated; values documented; interpretation relative to soil type provided
OKNCNAHOLD
Showing 13 of 24 ·
Inspection Sign-Off
PASS — SBC determined; suitable for foundation design; proceed with design
PASS with conditions — SBC valid; design constraints/soil improvements noted
FAIL — Test invalid; procedure error or equipment malfunction; repeat required
Test Conducted by (Engineer/Technician)
Name / Sign / Date
Signature
Name / Sign / Date
Report Reviewed by (Geotechnical Engineer)
Name / Sign / Date
Signature & Seal/Registration
Name / Sign / Date
Final Verdict & SBC Approval
Name / Sign / Date