PLATEMAN plate load tester

PLATEMAN is the advanced plate load testing system, engineered by JF Strainstall's experienced in-house development team.

Safer, quicker and more accurate than traditional plate load testing systems, PLATEMAN provides dynamic intelligence in real-time, allowing you to act on data immediately and with confidence.

The wireless remote logging feature ensures the safety of site operatives, whilst the robust protective casing enables testing to be conducted in all weathers.

The PDA's graphical user interface makes the real-time presentation of results easy to read on site. All of the data is downloaded and analysed using the PLATEMAN PC software and detailed test reports.

The system includes a GPS feature and can be used to record other site information if required. It also includes a lightweight, adjustable reference beam with attached transducers that can be easily transported between test locations and used in most site situations.

“PLATEMAN has improved the way we work; it reduces risk on-site and removes human influence in reading individual gauges. This gives a greater confidence in the testing to ourselves, the client and UKAS.”

- Graham Booker, materials technical manager, Balfour Beatty Major Projects.

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PLATEMAN load tester: Frequently asked questions

Q: What is a plate load test?

A: The plate load test is an in-situ method of determining the vertical deformation and strength characteristics of soil, my measuring the penetration caused by a force on a rigid plate over time.

Q: Why is a plate load test carried out?

A: The plate load test can be used to find the ultimate bearing capacity and characteristics, without the effect of disturbing the ground.

Q: How do you do a plate load test?

A: A circular loading plate is placed on the test area and a reaction load – usually large mechanical plant – positioned above. The test load is applied in pre-determined increments with a hydraulic cylinder and measured using a calibrated load cell. The resulting deformation is measured using 3-4 calibrated displacement transducers. The test load at each increment being held until a set rate of settlement is achieved. The PLATEMAN system takes measurement and calculates bearing pressure, average penetration and rate of settlement automatically.

Q: How long does a plate load test take?

A: This is depend on the soil characteristics and the time take to achieve a low rate of settlement. The more compacted the soil, the quicker the test, but typically 30 mins for a single cycle test.

Q: How do you calculate load for a plate load test?

A: The load applied is measured in KN and the surface area of the plate is used to calculate the applied bearing pressure in KN.m2 (KPa). Larger plates requiring a larger load to achieve the same bearing pressure.

Q: Which Plate size should I use?

A: The largest plate possible should be used, taking into account the reaction available and soil characteristics. For granular soil, the diameter should be at least 5 times the nominal size of the coarsest material and for clays, 5 times the spacing between fissures. 300mm, 450, and 600mm are common plate diameters used.

DIN testing

The PLATEMAN system can carry out testing and present results in the format required by DIN 18134. Strain modulus Ev is calculated from load-settlement fitting curves for first and second cycles.

Q: What is K value in plate load test?

A: The K value is the modulus of subgrade reaction (KN/m3). It is a measure of the material stiffness and is calculated by dividing the maximum bearing pressure by the maximum penetration for each cycle.

Q: What is the CBR value and how is it calculated?

A: The CBR (California Bearing Ratio) test is commonly used to assess the strength of sub-grade. The value can be estimated fairly accurately from the plate load test, with the added advantage that it can be used for testing larger surface areas than a traditional CBR plunger and on more varied material types. The CBR value is determined from the modulus of subgrade at an actual or predicted settlement of 1.25mm, and is calculated automatically by the PLATEMAN system.