Electronic Plate Load Testing is used to determine the strength characteristics of soil in situ, by measuring the amount of deformation and force when a rigid plate is forced to penetrate the soil.
Our Electronic Plate Load Test applies a vertical load (by using the fine control of our CPT hydraulics) and measures the load (kN) applied and displacement (mm) of the plate. To do this, we use an electronic load cell and displacement sensors.
This electronic data is recorded throughout the test and provided as raw data (and plots) once load correction and stress calculations (kPa) are applied.
Plates stay attached to the rig for quick and easy set-up on subsequent test locations, with no additional plant required on site. Given the plate load testing is conducted by our CPT rig, it can also be used in conjunction with any of our additional geotechnical testing services.
We offer the following plate sizes:
- 750mm diameter (maximum bearing capacity of 450kPa)
- 500mm diameter (maximum bearing capacity of 1000kPa)
- 300mm diameter (maximum bearing capacity of 2800kPa)
Note: While an increase in plate size decreases the maximum bearing capacity, it increases the effective test depth (which is considered to be twice the plate diameter).
