Analysis of Static Plate Load Test Results According to Czech, French, and German Methodologies

Abstract Many countries have a specific way of performing and evaluating the static plate load test for assessing the railway substructure deformation resistance, so its values cannot be easily compared for different countries. This paper describes an experimental study that compares the evaluated results of performed static plate load tests according to Czech, French, and German methodologies. To obtain comparable results, several measurement campaigns were carried out on test layers of crushed aggregates in experimental conditions and on a subgrade surface of soil stabilized by hydraulic binders or on sub-ballast layers of crushed aggregates on real railway track structures. The results were further statistically evaluated by arranging them in graphs, and the mutual correlations between individual methods were found. The dependence of the results turned out to be polynomial. For the comparison regarding the tested subsoil material, the correlation appeared to be better for aggregates than for stabilized soils. The performed experimental study aimed to compare the results of the static plate load test according to the mentioned methodologies and to establish mutual correlations between them. Its results can be used for adapting the requirements for the deformation resistance of the railway substructure defined in foreign standards to the Czech environment.