Plate Size Effects in Gravelly Soil Based on In Situ Plate Load Tests and Finite Element Analysis

Bibliographic Details
Title: Plate Size Effects in Gravelly Soil Based on In Situ Plate Load Tests and Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Wenshuai Li, Qiyu Tao, Rui Gu, Chao Li, Guoliang Dai, Weiming Gong
Source: Applied Sciences, Vol 15, Iss 2, p 760 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Technology
LCC:Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
LCC:Biology (General)
LCC:Physics
LCC:Chemistry
Subject Terms: plate load test, size effect, coefficient of subgrade reaction, gravelly soil, Technology, Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), TA1-2040, Biology (General), QH301-705.5, Physics, QC1-999, Chemistry, QD1-999
More Details: The average contact stress–settlement behavior observed in plate load tests provides essential data for reliable foundation design. However, the test plate is often smaller than the actual foundation, requiring size extrapolation to interpret in situ plate load test results accurately. This study combines in situ plate load test results in gravelly soil with finite element analysis to evaluate test plates of varying sizes. The findings suggest that the coefficient of subgrade reaction for gravelly soil foundations can be effectively estimated using Terzaghi’s extrapolation method for the coefficient of subgrade reaction in clay. Although variations in test plate diameter may alter the shape of the average contact stress–settlement curve, the overall pattern of change remains consistent. The average contact stress–settlement relationship in gravelly soil can be represented by a three-phase linear model, corresponding to the elastic, yield, and failure stages. Additionally, while the elastic limit load in gravelly soil remains unaffected by plate size, the ultimate bearing capacity increases with larger plates before stabilizing.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2076-3417
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/760; https://doaj.org/toc/2076-3417
DOI: 10.3390/app15020760
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/f18a19b7e85649e2a1788a7cb58966b5
Accession Number: edsdoj.f18a19b7e85649e2a1788a7cb58966b5
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:20763417
DOI:10.3390/app15020760
Published in:Applied Sciences
Language:English