4. Other tests in place

4.1 Plate test

A plate test is a loading test performed on the ground surface using a rigid circular plate. The test consists of measuring the deflection of the plate under static loads, according to a loading program that imposes either the loads or the deflections. The Westergaard test was the first plate test used (described below and the subject of the French standard NF P94-117-3 of 2009); it was supplemented by the 60 cm plate test (NF P94-117-1 of 2000) and the dynaplate (NF P94-117-2 of 2004).

The latter two tests are used in particular to verify the load-bearing capacity of road and rail platforms. The Westergaard test is applied to platforms intended for the construction of statically loaded pavements (residential, industrial, etc.), using the Westergaard...