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Uncertainties in Interpreting the Scale Effect of Plate Load Tests in Unsaturated Soils

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Proceedings of the International Symposium on Engineering under Uncertainty: Safety Assessment and Management (ISEUSAM - 2012)

Abstract

The applied stress versus surface settlement (SVS) behavior from in situ plate load tests (PLTs) is valuable information that can be used for the reliable design of shallow foundations (SFs). In situ PLTs are commonly conducted on the soils that are typically in a state of unsaturated condition. However, in most cases, the influence of matric suction is not taken into account while interpreting the SVS behavior of PLTs. In addition, the sizes of plates used for load tests are generally smaller in comparison to real sizes of footings used in practice. Therefore, in situ PLT results should be interpreted taking account of not only matric suction but also the scale effects. In the present study, discussions associated with the uncertainties in interpreting the SVS behavior of PLTs taking account of matric suction and scale effects are detailed and discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Sai K. Vanapalli & Won Taek Oh

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  1. Sai K. Vanapalli
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Correspondence to Sai K. Vanapalli .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Civil Engineering, Bengal Engineering and Science Univ., Botanic Garden, Howrah, India

    Subrata Chakraborty

  2. Bengal Engineering and Science Univ., Howrah, India

    Gautam Bhattacharya

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Vanapalli, S.K., Oh, W.T. (2013). Uncertainties in Interpreting the Scale Effect of Plate Load Tests in Unsaturated Soils. In: Chakraborty, S., Bhattacharya, G. (eds) Proceedings of the International Symposium on Engineering under Uncertainty: Safety Assessment and Management (ISEUSAM - 2012). Springer, India. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0757-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0757-3_7

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