Abstract: The bearing capacity of a foundation should be determined by its strength and deformation under the actual foot. It can be determined directly by the pressure plate load tests, which can ensure the strength safety, but can not ensure the deformation safety. In order to realize the design according to the deformation characteristics, the bearing capacity of the foundation should be more reasonablly determined by the designer. The designer can obtain the deformation and strength parameters of the soil from the pressure plate load tests to calculate the load-settlement p-s curve of the actual foundation. Then, based on the p-s curve, the bearing capacity of the foundation is reasonably determined according to the dual control of strength and deformation.