Abstract: In geotechnical engineering investigation of a shallow sand foundation site, to determine characteristic value of the bearing capacity, a variety of in-situ tests were used including the standard penetration test, the heavy-duty dynamic penetration test, the portable cone sounding test and the shallow plate loading test. Throughout these in-situ tests results, the corresponding characteristic value of bearing capacity were obtained. The analysis reveals that, at site without sufficient engineering experience, the determination of the bearing capacity by a single in-situ test result has fundamental flaws. There are differences in bearing capacity results by different in-situ tests and explore possible explanations for the differences. The shallow plate loading test is of high reliability and has been applied widely in the determination of the bearing capacity value. The comprehensive analysis and discussion on the characteristic value of bearing capacity could improve the safety and economics for the foundation design.

Key words: Shallow Sand Foundation, Bearing Capacity, Insitu Tests, Shallow Plate Loading Test