Hardstand load testing for heavy lift cranes

Large capacity plate load tests were used to predict settlement of heavy lift cranes. The rear counterweight crawlers of the heavy lift cranes will have a mass of 2200 tonnes, and will apply a track bearing pressure of 490 kPa. The load testing program involved applying a 1000 tonne load over a 6 m long by 2.4 m wide area to result in a maximum applied bearing pressure of 680 kPa. Piezocone penetration testing and magnetic extensometers were used to assess deformation properties of the different soil units encountered at the site. This paper describes the field component of the load test program, the procedure for the assessment of oil deformation properties, and the predicted settlement behaviour for the heavy lift cranes.