The plate load test is a non-destructive investigation technique that allows determinate vertical yielding of a certain mass of soil in situ and, through suitable correlations, deriving the parameters of deformability for different types of soil.

The plate load test finds its greatest use in the determination of quality of compacted materials for embankments and/or placed under the road surface, paving, etc.

It must be remembered that the results obtained from a plate load test, that, with reference to a surface foundation, is, to all intents and purposes, a load test on a scale model, not ever be extrapolated for the determination of the behavior of the foundation itself.

The test, about the program of geotechnical investigations, should therefore be combined to other types of investigations in situ.

The standardized procedure for carrying out the tests is contained in the regulations CNR 146/1992.