Plate Bearing Test
Product Code : LSK-SM-10658
Plate Bearing Test (SKU LSK-SM-10658) equipment loads a steel plate on the ground with a hydraulic jack and records settlement, to estimate the bearing capacity of shallow foundations and to design flexible pavements. Highway and geotechnical departments, polytechnics and TVET road construction courses use it for site practicals. Institutes, colleges, tender contractors and distributors can have the outfit quoted by Science Lab Supplies, which ships it from Ambala, India.
Specifications
The plate load outfit is listed in full below, one item or size per row. In short, a 0–500 kN jack graduated in 0.5 kN loads 25 mm thick mild steel plates through a ball and socket seat and flanged columns, and four dial gauges on a 5 m bridge read settlement.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | LSK-SM-10658 |
| Use | Bearing capacity of shallow foundations; flexible pavement design |
| Hydraulic jack capacity | 0–500 kN |
| Jack graduation | 0.5 kN |
| Pumping unit | Fixed, on the jack |
| Pressure gauge and pipe | 1 no, with 5 m flexible metal pipe |
| Seating | Special ball and socket between jack and bearing plate |
| Top end plates | 4 nos, 50 mm dia, male thread |
| Short columns | 2 nos, 15 cm dia x 25 cm long, flanged, four bolts and nuts each |
| Long column | 1 no, 15 cm x 50 cm long, flanged, four bolts and nuts |
| Bridge support | Welded steel angle, 5 m span, about 30 cm high |
| Bridge fittings | Two quick-release clamps and a dial bracket |
| Extension rods | 16 nos, 12 mm dia x 25 cm long |
| Magnetic bases | 4 nos, female thread for extension rods |
| Bearing plate | Plain M.S., 60 x 60 cm x 25 mm |
| Bearing plate | Plain M.S., 45 x 45 cm x 25 mm |
| Bearing plate | Plain M.S., 30 x 30 cm x 25 mm |
| Dial gauges | 4 nos, 0.01 mm x 25 mm |
| Optional plain plates | 75 cm x 25 mm; 50 cm x 25 mm |
| Optional grooved plates | 30 x 30, 45 x 45, 60 x 60 and 75 x 75 cm, all 25 mm thick |
| Optional jack hose | Flexible rubber pipe, 1 m, in place of the metal pipe |
| Supplied by | Science Lab Supplies, Ambala, India |
Applications and Experiments for the Plate Bearing Test
The set is used for plate load tests: the plate is loaded in increments and settlement is recorded until the bearing capacity or modulus of subgrade reaction can be worked out. It supports foundation engineering and pavement design practicals in degree, diploma and TVET civil engineering courses.
- B.E./B.Tech civil engineering: plate load test for bearing capacity of shallow foundations, compared with shear strength from the Triaxial Test Set.
- Highway engineering practicals: modulus of subgrade reaction, alongside laboratory CBR on the CBR Test Machine Hand Operated.
- Diploma and TVET civil engineering: field load testing of soil and pavement layers.
Standard Scope of Supply
The set includes the jack with pumping unit, pressure gauge and pipe, three plain plates, three flanged columns, the ball and socket seat, the bridge, four dial gauges, 16 extension rods, four magnetic bases and four top end plates. Further plain and grooved plates and a rubber pipe are optional.
Packing, MOQ and Lead Time
Quotations can cover one complete set or several sets for student field teams, and each states the packing, delivery time and price for that quantity. Accessory plates and field CBR or density equipment can be added to the same quotation.
Holding an Importer-Exporter Code, Science Lab Supplies is a registered exporter that can ship to buyers in Nepal, Bangladesh, Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa and Qatar. List the plate sizes and any grooved plates you want on the contact page, place the outfit in the enquiry cart, or check the lab tender page if the order goes to tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plate sizes come with the Plate Bearing Test?
Plain mild steel plates of 30 x 30, 45 x 45 and 60 x 60 cm, each 25 mm thick. Plain 50 and 75 cm plates and grooved plates from 30 to 75 cm are available as accessories.
What reaction load is needed?
The jack pushes against a heavy reaction, such as a loaded vehicle or kentledge, arranged at the test site and not part of the set. Keep people clear of the loading column while it is under pressure.
Who supplies the Plate Bearing Test?
Science Lab Supplies supplies the outfit from Ambala, India as a TVET lab equipment supplier. Every plate, column, rod and gauge is itemised on its quotation for checking against a tender schedule.
Related Field Bearing, Density and Strength Equipment
A plate load test is usually run alongside density, CBR and strength checks on the same ground. These Soil Mechanics items complete a field and laboratory kit for foundation and pavement work, and each can be quoted with this set.
- Field CBR Equipment — 50 mm piston threaded at the upper end.
- Sand Replacement Equipment — dry density of layers up to 50 cm.
- Core Cutter — driven in with a dolly and rammer.
- Cone Apparatus — clear-ended cylinder for watching sand flow.
- Motorised CBR Machine — 133 mm platen with 105 mm travel.
- Consolidation Apparatus — 1:1 lever loading unit to 20 kg/cm².
- Direct Shear Apparatus — undisturbed or remoulded soil specimens.
Browse the full Soil Mechanics range, the Concrete Laboratory range for pavement aggregate tests, or all TVET lab equipment.
Last updated: 9 October 2026
