Importance of thickness of steel plates when load spreading

[TrustButVerify]

Hello,

I'm looking for a video explaining how the thickness of a spreader (.i.e steel plates) is important when load spreading load over soil or a surface.

There is a misconception among many people that only the width and the length of this spreading element is important, and the thickness is irrelevant for this matter.

Please, let me know if you find a good video explaining this subject like if I'm five years old.

Have a great weekend folks

 

[EireChch]

I dont think there is a misconception that the rigidity of a foundation is irrelevant. Its discussed in all geotechnical books.

 

[PEinc]

Thickness (and resulting stiffness) is of utmost importance. Otherwise, a thicker steel spreader plate could be replaced by a very much thinner sheet of steel with the same length and width (i.e., bearing area). Without sufficient thickness (i.e., stiffness), the spreader plate might bend and be punched down into the soil around the point of load application (i.e., column or outrigger).

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[iandig]

If you change the stiffness of the plate, the stress distribution in the ground will change. See rigid, semi-rigid and flexible stress distribution figures, in all geo text books.

 

[TrustButVerify]

Thanks for that. Do you have any other figures?

 

[zelgar]

You might want to look at videos about punching shear.