Laboratory plate loading tests using artificial soft rocks

Embankment dams are often constructed on soft rock foundations. When this is done, it is important to precisely predict deformation of the foundations caused by the fill placement of embankment dams at the design stage. Plate oading tests (PLTs) are commonly used to evaluate deformability of the foundations of dams. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the accuracy of the evaluation of deformability of the foundations using PLTs. In this paper. laboratory PLTs for artificial soft rocks. The test and the numerical analysis considering nonlinear deformability of artificial soft rocks. are carried out and the behavior of soft rocks during PLTs in detail has been studied.