Uncomon Field Tests for Strength Properties

[oldestguy]

Hello Engineers:

Seeing the recent thread "Shear strength Testing" brings up a subject dealing with some tests that I have run which I seldom have seen much written about. I'd call them "on-site strength tests".

One is plate loading for estimating the settlement and/or bearing strength of full size footings. These have been written up some. Not talking about plate loading for pavement design.

Another is a direct shear test in place for evaluating shear strength of a natural deposit or a waste product for slope stability determination calculation. Never have I seen this described in writing.

In each case the area tested varied from a low of one square foot to larger sizes.

I'm curious if anyone has seen these type of tests or others (such as as large vane shear tests) written up or standardized anywhere.

In my case there were questions about trying to duplicate field conditions in the laboratory. Equipment had to be "made from scratch".

Perhaps others have done the same?

 

[iandig]

There is a formal procedure for undertaking plate load tests for foundaiton assessment within Euro-code 7; BS EN 1997, Part 2 which scales up the results from the test to the foundaiton size. Test method based on sands. Similar ot other Soil Mechanic text books such as Barnes and also Smtihs.
If you are looking for a 'formal' document which picks up lots of 'odd' tests, the Eurocode is a good palce to start as everyone in Europe has had a go and it was written by a commitee