<p><p><strong>References:<br></strong><em>ISSMGE (2005)<br>White et al. (2007a, 2008c, 2009c, 2010)<br>RVS 8S.02.6 (1999)<br>ZTVE StB/TP BF-StB (1994)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Static plate load tests involve obtaining load-deflection curves for an initial loading and a re-loading to determine soil initial (E_V1) and reload modulus (E_V2). The test is conducted by increasing a static load on the soil and continuously monitoring the plate deflections. ASTM D1195 describes the test method to perform repetitive static plate load tests of soil for evaluation and design of airport and highway pavements. Some European CCC specifications (e.g., RVS 8S.02.6 1999, ISSMGE 2005, ZTVE StB/TP BF-StB 1994) follow the method shown in the figure below to obtain E_V1 and E_V2 for subgrade, base and subbase materials. Correlations between roller-integrated compaction measurements and E_V1 and E_V2 have been reported in the literature. E_V1 is generally better correlated with roller measurements than E_V2 (ISSMGE 2005). The ratio of E_V1 and E_V2 is assessed by some researchers (Anderegg and Kauffmann 2004) as an indicator of compaction state of the material, but ISSMGE (2005) recommends not using the ratio for correlations with CCC measurements.</p><p><figure id='attachment_7355' style='max-width:954px' class='caption aligncenter'><img class="wp-image-7355 size-full" src="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/…; alt="Graphs showing modulus values determined from plate load tests. Left graphic is for subgrade materials and right graphic is for base and subbase materials." width="954" height="665" /><figcaption class='caption-text'> Figure 1. Intial (EV1) and reload (EV2) modulus from static plate load test. (From White et al., 2007b)</figcaption></figure></p><p><strong>Accuracy and Precision</strong></p><p>The test is widely accepted in geotechnical engineering. ASTM D1195 indicates that the precision of this test method could not be determined due to the variability associated with soils and the accuracy of the test method could not be determined as there was no reference test available for comparison.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Adequacy of Coverage</strong></p><p>Number of tests depends on the variability observed, but generally it requires many tests to adequately characterize the spatial variability of soils.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Implementation Requirements </strong></p><p>Special equipment and setup is necessary to produce enough reaction force for the required applied stresses. Typically, a heavy truck, a dozer, or any heavy construction equipment may be used as a reaction force. A trained field engineer is required to analyze load-deflection curves.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>General Comments</strong></p><p>This test method provides a direct measure of elastic modulus and can serve as a good QA tool. Encouraging results have been reported in the literature with correlations between E_V1and CCC measurements.</p></p>