The loading to the test plate may be applied with the help of a hydraulic jack. The reaction of the hydraulic jack may be borne by either any of gravity loading methodor reaction truss method.

For simple spread footing on clayey soils, the allowable pressure should be such that the differential settlement does not exceed 1/300.

The rate of settlement is defined as the slope or the relative settlement between two points divided by the horizontal distance.

The vertical downward movement of the base of the structure is called settlement and its effect depends upon its magnitude and uniformity etc.

The analytical methods for the determination of bearing capacity of footings are based essentially on shear failure.

Indian standards (IS: 1888: 1982) recommend that the loading of the plate should invariably be borne either by gravity loading platform or by the reaction truss.

Plate load test is a field test to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil, and the probable settlement under a given loading.

The use of reaction truss is more popular now-a-days since this is simple, quick and less clumsy.

The bearing plate used varies in size from 300 to 750 mm with a chequered or grooved bottom.

According to Polishin and Tokar (1957), brick masonry will crack due to differential settlement when the unit elongation amount to 0.005.