Load Support Capability of Flat Plates of Various Shapes in Soils

A fundamental problem in soil-vehicle mechanics is the ability to predict accurately the load-sinkage characteristics of simple flat plates in homogeneous soils. This paper attempts to develop a more general theory of plate sinkage which will be applicable to a wide variety of soils, sinkages, plate sizes, and plate shapes. In a study to determine the strength characteristics of soils, many carefully performed tests must be conducted to eliminate the effects of the natural variability of the soil which can easily mask out the parameters being measured.