Simple Field Tests for Economic Working Platform Design

There are a number of methods practising engineers use to determine the required platform stone thickness to support site plant on construction sites. Whether these be based on the industry standard BR470 method or any other method, all depend on accurate input parameters for the design strength of both the platform stone and the underlying formation. This Paper provides guidance on how such accurate parameters may be obtained from two simple field tests: plate bearing tests and dynamic probing. The two test methods are considered from a fundamental perspective, from which correlations are derived between CBR value, undrained shear strength and angle of internal friction. The correlations are compared with previously published relations to give substance to their validity.