Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project

Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd

CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 1/7

METHOD STATEMENT OF
PLATE LOAD TEST

Rev Date Issued for approval by

A0 18/05/2017
B0 21/05/2017
 Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project
Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd
CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 2/7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Title Page No.

1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………….3
2.0 SCOPE…………………………………………………………………....3
3.0 STANDARD……………………………………………………………...3
4.0 TERMINOLOGY………………………………………………………..3
5.0 APPARATUS…………………………………………………………….3
6.0 METHOD………………………………………………………...………5
6.1 PROCEDURE………………………………..………………………5
6.2 GRAPH PLOTTING AND CALCULATION ………………….....7

LIST OF APPENDICES

1.0 CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE

 Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project
Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd
CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 3/7

1.0 INTRODUCTION
This method statement has been provided for the Plate Load Test (PLT). The primary objective
of Plate Load test is to estimate the modulus of subgrade reaction of the embankment. This
method describes the nonrepetitive plate load test which will be performed as strength test of
embankment.

2.0 SCOPE
 This method evaluates the stiffness of subgrade soils in either the compacted condition
or the natural state.

 The data developed in the static load test is used in the calculation of the modulus of
subgrade reaction.

3.0 STANDARD
 ASTM D-1196

4.0 TERMINOLOGY
Definitions:
4.1 Deflection:
The amount of downward vertical movement of a surface due to the
application of a load to the surface.

4.2 Stress :
The value obtained from driving the load (applied by the hydraulic jack) by
the area of 300mm circular bearing plate.

4.3 Modulus of Subgrade Reaction (K30):

It is calculated from stress-settlement graph at a settlement of 1.25mm using
plate with 30cm diameter. Hence, K30 (using 30 cm diameter plate)
MN/m3.

5.0 APPARATUS
7. Data Logger
1. Circular plate or bearing plate (300 8. Laptop
mm dia) 9. Battery
2. Dozer as counter load (18 ton) 10. Deflection Beam
3. Hydraulic jack (20 ton capacity) 11. Dial gage
4. Electronic load cell (25Klb 12. Thermometer
Capacity) 13. Stop watch
5. Linear Displacement Transducer 14. Tent
(LDT, Wire type) 15. Base for magnetic base
6. Magnetic Base
 Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project
Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd
CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 4/7

(a (b
) )

(d
(c
)
)

(e
)
Figure 1 Apparatus (a) Linear Displacement Transducer (wire type) (b) Electronic load cell (25Klb
Capacity) (c) Magnetic Base (d) Hydraulic jack (20 T capacity) (e) Data Logger
 Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project
Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd
CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 5/7

6.0 METHOD
A circular 1’-0” (300mm) diameter test plate is used for the test. The plate to be placed at the
top of desired layer of embankment and subjected to incremental loading. Settlement at each
increment of load is measured by data logger and Stress-Settlement curve will be plotted. The
modulus of subgrade reaction will be calculated from the Stress - Settlement curve. The test
will be conducted as per ASTM D1196.

6.1 PROCEDURE

i. Mild circular steel plate of 1’-0” diameter (300mm) in shape is used. The test plate is
seated at the certain point of levelled surface of embankment.

ii. A bull dozer (18 ton) or vehicle/equipment of same or more weight to be used as
counter loading device as shown in figure-2. For bull dozer the distance between
caterpillar treads shall not be less than 1.2m.

iii. The ground surface below the test plate needs to be perfectly horizontal and level so
that no stress concentration takes place below the plate during loading.

iv. Two Linear Displacement Transducer (LDT, Wire type) will be placed to record the
settlement of the plate (Figure-3). As well as one dial gage to be fixed along with LDT
to take reading manually while trial test conducting. The LDT will be supported
carefully over a stable base which does not settle with the plate. This can be achieved
by placing a cross beam at ground level over which LDT is supported with the help of
magnetic base (Figure-3). The reach of magnetic base will be minimum 1.0m and fixed
firmly with the beam on the ground. The settlement of the plate is transmitted from
LDT to the Laptop through data logger

Electronic
Load Cell
Hydraulic
Jack
Laptop
Circular
Plate

Data logger

Battery

Figure-2: Field setup (Assembly of apparatus)

 Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project
Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd
CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 6/7

Linear Variable Displacement

Transducer

Magnetic
Base

Cross Beam

Figure -3 Field test on going

v. The hydraulic jack shall be checked if any leakage of oil and maintenance (tuning up)
of load cell indicator for several minutes.

vi. The upward movement of the plunger of the jack tries to push the loading platform up.
After assembly of all equipment the loading system will be followed as instructed in
ASTM 1196. The Load on the plate is transmitted to the Logger net software in laptop
through electronic load cell.

vii. Initially a light load shall be applied on the plate to stick it to the ground which will be
considered as zero loading condition. Then the first load of 0.5 ton will be exerted and
load increment will be 0.5 ton on the plate by the hydraulic jack.

viii. The test will be conducted by applying each loading increment until the settlement
seizes i.e. less than 0.001in. (0.03 mm)/min for consecutive three minutes. Collected
data will be used to plot the stress vs. settlement curve using the last stable settlement
values of each load increment.

ix. This procedure to be continued until settlement of 2.50mm or normal stress below the
plate 1MPa (7.5 ton) whichever obtain first.

x. Air temperature will be recorded at half hour interval.

 Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project
Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd
CP-01 METHOD STATEMENT OF PLATE LOAD TEST
MRT Line-6
Ref. Number: MS-PLT-01 REV: B0 Eff. Date: 21, May 2017 Page 7/7

6.2 GRAPH PLOTTING AND CALCULATION

i. A stress vs. settlement graph to be plotted using recorded data from data logger.

ii. The modulus of subgrade reaction to be calculated from the stress-settlement curve at
the point of 1.25 mm settlement from the relation.

iii. Hence, modulus of subgrade reaction K30 (using 30 cm diameter plate)

MN/m3. Where p is the ground bearing pressure in MPa corresponding to 1.25mm
settlement.

Figure 4: Typical Stress vs. Settlement curve

iv. According to specification the allowable value for K30 should be equal or more
than70 MN/m3