Abstract: The bearing capacity of medium weathered limestone bearing stratum is one of the important parameters in the foundation engineering. The existing local experience indicates that a significant difference in bearing capacity in the medium weathered limestone between the recommended value in the geotechnical investigation report and the actual value. The Guizhou Provincial Geological Information and Geology Museum project site was on the medium weathered limestone stratum. The local experience and geotechnical investigation recommended bearing capacity range was 3 000 to 4 000 kPa. The bearing capacity value derived from the compressive strength on intact rock core samples and integrity tests by using acoustic wave method was 6,000kPa. The most reliable plate load tests were performed for verifying and optimizing the bearing capacity value. The plate load test results indicated that, among three test points, the loadsettlement curve demonstrated the bearing capacity values were: 7,000 kPa, 6,533 kPa, and 7,466 kPa. The bearing capacity of 6,533 kPa was obtained from the minimum test value. This value is high than the report recommended and correlation value.

Key words: Medium Weathered Limestone, Bearing Capacity, Plate Loading Tests