Standard Test Method for Bearing Capacity of Soil for

Static Load and Spread Footings

Objective
This test method is covered estimation of the bearing capacity of soil in place by means of field
loading tests. This test method can be used as part of a procedure for soil investigation for
foundation design. It gives information on the soil only to a depth equal to about two diameters
of the bearing plate, and takes into account only part of effect of time.

Reference Standards
Standard Test Method for Bearing Capacity of Soil for Static Load and Spread Footings shall be
performed to the compliance of ASTM D1194 94/ BS 1377 - 9: 1990.

Apparatus
All apparatus and measuring equipment to be used shall be calibration updated.
1. Bearing Plates (300 mm or 450 mm or 600 mm or 750 mm)
2. Hydraulic Jack Assembly (50 T capacity)
3. Hydraulic pump (50 T capacity)
4. Pressure gauge (to read 50 T load with a sensitivity of 0.5 T)
5. Proving ring or load cell (50 T capacity)
6. 4 no of dial gauges (with sensitivity of 0.01 mm and a travel of 50 mm)
7. Loading columns
8. Dial gauge supporting channels
9. Dial gauge stands
10. Loading platform equipment (girders, plates, sand bags etc) or Truss with anchor rods
11. Sprit level
12. Pulley block (to lift the girders or truss frame)
13. Deflection Beam

Procedure
All activities shall be under the supervision and approval of a competent personnel, including
other parties involved. (Refer to appendix A 4 for geotechnical engineer qualification).
1. Selection of Test AreasBase the selection of representative, with the approval of other
party e.g. ER Consultant Representative, test areas for bearing tests on the results of
exploratory borings and on the design requirements of the structure. Unless otherwise
specified, make the load test at the elevation of the proposed footings and under the same
conditions to which the proposed footings will be subjected. At the selected elevation

2.

3.

4.

5.

place the bearing plates at the same relative depths (depths expressed in plate diameters)
as the actual footing.
Test PitsAt least three test locations are required, and the distance between test
locations shall not be less than five times the diameter of the largest plate used in the
tests. Carefully level and clean the areas to be loaded by the test plates or footings so that
the loads are transmitted over the entire contact areas on undisturbed soil. Prior to
loading, protect test pits and areas against moisture changes in the soil unless it is
expected that wetting of the soil will occur at some future time, as in the case of hydraulic
structures. In this case, prewet the soil in the area to the desired extent to a depth not less
than twice the diameter of the largest bearing plate.
Loading PlatformsSupport the loading platforms or bins by cribbing or other suitable
means, at points as far removed from the test area as practicable, and preferably not less
than 8 ft (2.4 m). The total load required for the test shall be available at the site before
the test is started.
Dead LoadWeigh and record as dead weight all equipment used, such as steel plates,
loading column and jack, etc., that are to be placed on the test area prior to the application
of the load increments.
Loading
(a) Gravity Loading Platform method

(b) Reaction Truss Method

Reaction truss loading is convenient and less time consuming, hence generally used. For
this purpose, a steel truss is anchored to ground across the pit. A hydraulic jack with
attached pressure gauge is placed between the underside of the truss and the test plate. At
least two dial gauge, having accuracy of 0.2 mm, is used to measure the settlement of the
test plate. The dial gauges are mounted on independent datum bar and are just touching
the test plate.
6. Reference Beamindependently support the beam supporting dial gages or other
settlement-recording devices as far as practicable, but not less than 8 ft (2.4 m) from the
centre of the loaded area.
7. Load IncrementsApply the load to the soil in cumulative equal increments of not more
than 1.0 ton/ft2 (95 kPa), or of not more than one tenth of the estimated bearing capacity
of the area being tested. Accurately measure each load, and apply it in such a manner that
all of the load reaches the soil as a static load, without impact, fluctuation, or eccentricity.
8. Time Interval of Loading After the application of each load increment, maintain the
cumulative load for a selected time interval of not less than 15 min.
9. Measurement of SettlementKeep a continuous record of all settlements. Make
settlement measurements as soon as possible before and after the application of each load
increment, and at such equal time intervals, while the load is being held constant, as will
provide not less than six settlement measurements between load applications.
10. Termination of TestsContinue each test until a peak load is reached or until the ratio of
load increment to settlement increment reaches a minimum, steady magnitude. If
sufficient load is available, continue the test until the total settlement reaches at least 10
% of the plate diameter, unless a well defined failure load is observed. After completion
of observations for the last load increment, release this applied load in three
approximately equal decrements. Continue recording rebound deflections until the
deformation ceases or for a period not smaller than the time interval of loading.

11. For the narrow area where no access for JCB or excavaotor, loading platform is used for
static load by using steel or concrete load as following.

Calculation Procedure
Step-1 (Plotting a Load-Settlement Curve)
The whole process of calculating bearing capacity of soil using plate bearing test data consists of
the following 3 primary steps.
After performing the plate load test, plot a load settlement curve on arithmetic scale as following
figure, with applied pressure in kN/m2 in x-axis and corresponding settlement (in mm) in y-axis.
Depending on the type of soil, the load settlement curve can be different types.

Step-2 (Finding Ultimate Bearing Capacity)

According to this method, a log-log chart is plotted with settlement are plotted as against
corresponding pressure intensities as ordinate. Such a plotting will give two straight lines, the
intersection of which will be considered as the failure point. Find the corresponding value of
pressure to the failure point. This is considered as the ultimate bearing capacity of soil.

Step-3 (Calculating Safe Bearing Capacity)

In order to calculate safe bearing capacity of the soil, divide the ultimate bearing capacity of soil
by a suitable factor of safety.
Safe bearing capacity of soil = Ultimate bearing capacity / Factor of safety
The values of factor of safety normally used are 2, 2.5 or 3 depending upon the site condition and
importance of the structure.
Step-4 (Calculating Settlement of Proposed Footing)
The following formula as suggested by Terzaghi and Peck is used to calculate the settlement of
footing for granular soil.

Sf = Sp {[B*(Bp+0.3)] / [Bp*(B+0.3)]}2
For clayey soil the following equation can be used.
Sf = Sp*(B/Bp)
Where,
Sp = Settlement of plate, mm
Sf = Settlemnt of footing, mm
Bp = Width or dia of plate, m
B = Width of footing, m
For calculating settlement of a given size of foundation subjecting to a given load, first calculate
the corresponding intensity of loading by dividing the area of footing by the load, i.e.
Intensity of Loading = Load (kN) / Area of footing (m2)
Then from the load settlement curve drawn using PLT data, find out the plate settlement
corresponding to the calculated intensity of loading and use this value of settlement in the
formula to calculate the settlement of footing.

Report
Report forms are provided for sample data collection. (Refer to Appendices 1 to 3).
In addition to the continuous listing of all time, load, and settlement data for each test, as
prescribed, report all associated conditions and observations pertaining to the test, including
the following:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Date,
List of personnel,
Weather conditions,
Air temperature at time of load increments, and
Irregularity in routine procedure.

All the reports shall be under the approval of a competent personnel and other parties
involved (Refer to Appendix A 4).