Correlation of Load Testing with Design

Laboratory load testing of structures can serve as an extension of the engineer's usual analytical tools. Utilization of load testing to verify structural capacities requires prior field investigations of the structure, study of related plans and specifications, analytical investigations of the structure, and prudent planning of laboratory specimens. The results of laboratory testing combined with analytical procedures provide economical solutions to otherwise complex problems and can lead to the use of safety factors less than would typically be employed for usual design.