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The estimation of the compressibility of normally and overconsolidated granular soils was the main aim of the research. A model screw plate instrument was designed and developed and various plate geometries and plate advancement mechanisms were studied with a view to assessing soil disturbance during installation. Screw plate loading tests were conducted by means of a plate 50 mm in diameter 3 mm thick and 5 mm pitch. All the tests were conducted in a calibration chamber under stress controlled conditions on normally and overconsolidated saturated Leighton Buzzard sand along Ko and isotropic stress paths. Stress path triaxial tests were performed on normally and overconsolidated sand specimens. The stress-strain responses observed from such tests were compared with the pressure-settlement curves obtained from screw plate tests. The CRISP Finite Element Program was utilised to model the embedded plate and the chamber. Stress distributions and induced settlements beneath the plate were studied. Finally the effect of plate rigidity on the distribution of stresses was investigated and the validity of dimensions of the calibration chamber for the purpose of screw plate testing was proven.