A Plate Load Test (PLT) report in Excel format (.xls or .xlsx) is an essential tool for geotechnical engineers to calculate soil bearing capacity and foundation settlement. These workbooks typically automate the translation of field dial gauge readings into "Load vs. Settlement" curves to determine the Safe Bearing Capacity (SBC). Core Components of a PLT Excel Report
Standard Excel templates for plate load tests generally include the following structured sections: Plate Load Tests - Uses, Plate Size and Interpretation
Finding high-quality Plate Load Test (PLT) report resources in Excel (.xls or .xlsx) format typically involves finding calculation templates and reporting forms used by geotechnical engineers. Excel Spreadsheet Resources & Templates
Several platforms offer specialized spreadsheets that automate the calculation of bearing capacity and settlement from raw field data.
CivilWeb Spreadsheets: Offers a dedicated Bearing Capacity from Plate Load Test Spreadsheet which estimates soil settlement and allowable bearing capacity using procedures outlined in BS 8004.
Scribd: A major repository for professional templates. Useful files include:
Load vs Settlement 12-xlsx Group for documenting multiple test points. plate load test report xls work
Plate Load Test DIN 18134 Ev1Ev2 Lab Form specifically for subgrade modulus and deformation testing.
Plate Load Test Sample Form for logging applied load, pressure, and dial gauge readings.
Community Groups: The Structural Engineers Facebook Group occasionally shares geotechnical design suites that include PLT calculation modules. Critical Report Data Points
A standard Excel-based PLT report should include these automated calculation fields:
Ultimate Bearing Capacity: Calculated by dividing the failure load by the plate area.
Safe Bearing Capacity (SBC): Derived by dividing the ultimate capacity by a Factor of Safety (typically 3). Modulus of Subgrade Reaction ( value): Often measured at 1.25 mm settlement ( A Plate Load Test (PLT) report in Excel format (
Settlement Corrections: Corrections for plate size (if plate is <75is less than 75 cm) and bending based on standards like IS 9214. Key Field Testing Standards
Excel templates often follow specific regional or international standards: Modulus of sub-grade reaction K value Test
The bearing capacity from a small plate is not the same as for a large foundation. In your XLS, add a correction factor:
Corrected_SBC = SBC_Plate * (Foundation_Width / Plate_Width)
Only applicable for sandy soils.
Last month, a project manager in Mumbai was manually calculating 6 plate load tests using a calculator. It took him two full days. He switched to a standardized Plate Load Test Report XLS template.
Result: Data entry took 20 minutes per test. The Excel sheet automatically updated graphs, applied the 750mm plate correction factor, and exported a PDF report. Total time for 6 tests: 3 hours.
| Column A | Column B | Column C | Column D | Column E | Column F | |----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Time (min) | Load (kN) | Proving Ring Reading (div) | Dial Gauge 1 (mm) | Dial Gauge 2 (mm) | Avg Settlement (mm) | Error #1: Ignoring Plate Size Correction The bearing
Sample rows:
| Time | Load | Proving Ring | DG1 | DG2 | Avg Settlement | |------|------|--------------|-----|-----|----------------| | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00| 0.00| 0.00 | | 1 | 5.0 | 25 | 0.12| 0.10| 0.11 | | 2 | 10.0 | 50 | 0.28| 0.26| 0.27 | | 5 | 20.0 | 100 | 0.65| 0.61| 0.63 | | 10 | 40.0 | 200 | 1.40| 1.36| 1.38 | | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Formula in F2:
=AVERAGE(D2:E2)and drag down.
We will structure the workbook into three main sections: Header Info, Calculation Table, and Graphs.
Based on the settlement criteria (e.g., 10% of plate diameter or 5mm), your XLS should automatically:
Your first sheet should mirror your field data sheet. Include columns for:
This is the heart of your XLS work. Create a tab named "Calculations" and structure your columns as follows:
| Col A | Col B | Col C | Col D | Col E | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Load Step | Pressure (kPa) | Total Load (kN) | Dial Gauge Reading (mm) | Settlement (mm) | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | | 2 | 25 | (Formula) | (Input) | (Formula) | | 3 | 50 | (Formula) | (Input) | (Formula) |