Testconsult has developed a specialised automated system for carrying out Plate Load Tests, in accordance with the British Standard and CTRL standards. The system is called APLE (Automated Plate Load Equipment).

Specifications state that the load must be applied hydraulically to a 600mm diameter plate at a set rate, up to a set test load. During the test the load is measured using an electronic load cell and the plate deflection is measured using a digital dial gauge, fitted to a benkleman beam.

The main elements of the system are:

• Hydraulic mechanism for applying the load
• Electronic data logging system to measure the load and displacement and to provide a loading template.
• PC software to download data, view, edit, calculate results, archive and print data.

Hydraulic Mechanism

A 900mm double acting cylinder is mounted on the back of a truck, suitably loaded with weights to provide a reaction mass. Hydraulic power is provided by a generator power pack, wich is controlled using valves mounted on a control panel. The plate can be lowered and raised rapidly to place in position, and a fine control lever applies the load.

Acquisition and Monitoring

The portable data acquisition unit not only logs the data, but also prompts the operator at all stages of the test. At the start of each test, header information is entered and a load/time template is selected. The operator simply uses the hydraulic controls to follow the visual indicators, to ensure the load is applied at the correct rate. Any tests that do not comply are automatically rejected.

Load is measured using an electronic load cell, fitted to the plate. A digital dial gauge is fitted to the benkleman beam to monitor displacement. All data is stored in real time in the acquisition unit.

PC Software

• The system is supplied with windows based software and does the following:
• Downloads data from the DAQ unit
• Views and edits alphanumeric and graphical data
• Automatic or manual calculation of EV1, EV2 & coefficient K from data
• Printing of data
• Archiving of data