The Plate Bearing Test (or Plate Loading Test) is an insitu load bearing test of soil used for determining the ultimate bearing capacity of the ground and the likely settlement under a given load.

The plate bearing test is completed by pushing a steel plate of a set diameter against the material to be tested. This is generally achieved using a hydraulic cylinder kit varying from 0-60 tonnes capacity with in-line gauge. Sufficient reaction weight must be used, for example a heavy (14-ton) excavator is ideal. The weight of the excavator will depend on the design load required and the size of bearing plate in use.

Settlement of the bearing plate is then measured at set increments. By measuring the load/area and plotting the pressure against ground settlement the load bearing capacity can be calculated.