The behaviour of circular plates used as isolated foundations is investigated on the basis of earlier studies[6], [7] of the limit state of indefinite plates resting on elastoplastic continua and subjected to distributed loads. The upshot is an easy-to-use procedure of ultimate load analysis that permits the determination of: --the limit load for simultaneous collapse of plate and continuum --and the limit load for collapse of the continuum only according to the different behaviour of the two elements constituting the system.