Applies to QEST Web App

Contents

Overview

The Incremental Plate Loading Test worksheet can be used to determine the vertical deformation and strength characteristics of in-situ soils. It is based on the methodology of the Plate Loading Test (BS 1377-9:1990 Clause 4.1).

This article provides information on how the various choices available within the QESTField version of this test method provide the required pathways to deal with the variations within the test.

Open

Embedded Tests

General functionality is described in the article Associated Test Results.

The following associated test method is embedded in this worksheet:

• BS 1377-2:1990 Clause 3.2 (Moisture Content Test )

Data Entry

Preparation

Additional Plate

Plate

Jack

Load Cell

Combined Mass

Apply Equipment Load to Readings

Displacement Gauge

Manage Load Increments

Open

Clicking this button provides a dialog:

Open

Because the worksheet will have zero (0) Load Increment sections by default, it is necessary to use this dialog to initially add at least one Load Increment section.

Prompt	Description

Prompt	Description
Maximum Pressure to Be Applied	Read only value, imported from field with same name, above.
Plate Area	Read only value, imported from Plate equipment item, above.
Auto-Create	Button, clicking this creates six rows in the dialog, representing Load Increment sections. The first five rows will have a calculated value for Desired Pressure, based on the value of Maximum Pressure to Be Applied. The final row will be assigned a Desired Pressure of zero. This button is only enabled if: Maximum Pressure to be Applied value has been entered and is >= 25kN/m² There are currently zero (0) Load Increment sections.
Open	Button, adds one row, representing a Load Increment section, to the dialog. A value for Desired Pressure is expected to be entered here, Open If a value is not entered here, it can be entered into the Load Increment section, directly.
Done	Button, clicking this creates the actual Load Increment sections, based on the information in the dialog.
Cancel	Button, behaves as expected.

Initial Seating Readings

Load Increments

• No load increments are automatically provided on the worksheet. At least one has to be added using the Manage Load Increments dialog, above.

• Once one exists, new Load Increments can be added individually or existing ones can be deleted as required.

• Each load increment stage will have three rows by default when it is first added:

  • one for readings at the beginning of the increment and

  • one for readings at 1 minute

  • one for readings at 2 minutes which can be deleted

• It is possible to remove any individual Load Increment through the use of a delete button on the increment itself.

• New Load Increment sections can be added using a button that appears in each increment section on the test.

• The new section will:

  • Be added immediately after the section from which it was added (i.e. pressing this button in the Load Increment 1 section would add a new section immediately after Load Increment 1, renumbering all following sections)

  • Contain the same number of rows as the section from which it was added.

Measured Settlement

Laboratory Moisture Content

Equipment List

Results

Laboratory test results are shown both as charts and numeric values.

The progress of the test is shown in the following graphs:

• Settlement vs. Applied Pressure

• Settlement vs. Time

The following numeric values are always shown, where available:

• Maximum Applied Pressure (kN/m²)

• Maximum Deformation (mm)

When a laboratory Moisture Content is taken, the following value is available:

• Moisture Content (%)

When the Calculate Equivalent CBR Results checkbox is ticked, the following values are displayed:

• Pressure at 1.25 mm Settlement (kN/m²)

• Modulus of Subgrade Reaction (MN/m²/m)

• Equivalent CBR (%)

   

Reporting

The Report checkboxes at the end of the Results section allow selection of optional reportable results.

The results from this worksheet can be reported on the following test report.

Incremental Plate Loading Test Report (110274)

Open

Open

Properties

Reported Values

Batch Update Support

This worksheet is not supported on the batch update page.

Work Progress and Complete Status