Levykuormaa

Levykuormaa is a term used in geotechnical engineering referring to the vertical load applied to a testing plate in a levykuormakoe (plate load test). The test assesses soil bearing capacity and settlement characteristics under shallow foundations, helping engineers design footings for buildings, bridges, and other structures.

The test is conducted by placing a steel or reinforced plate on prepared soil and applying load in controlled increments with a hydraulic jack or reaction frame. After each increment, the settlement of the plate is measured with dial gauges or electronic sensors. The process continues until a predefined settlement criterion or maximum load is reached, or until the soil response stabilizes.

Data from the test are presented as a load–settlement curve. From the curve, engineers estimate the ultimate bearing capacity, often by applying a factor of safety to obtain an allowable bearing capacity. In some analyses, the slope of the curve yields the modulus of subgrade reaction (k), which characterizes soil stiffness under the plate.

Levykuormaa tests offer direct, site-specific information about soil behavior under vertical loading, providing practical input for foundation design. Limitations include sensitivity to boundary conditions, footing size, and soil stratification; results may not fully represent larger or nonuniform foundations, and the test can be time-consuming to perform and interpret.

See also: Plate bearing test, bearing capacity, geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics.