Abstract: The method of determining the deformation characteristics of construction materials and soil includes placing a die of a predetermined diameter on a material being tested and subjecting this die to an increasing load. Owing to the deformation of the tested material, the die becomes displaced by a value equalling 0.03 to 10.0 diameters of the die. The displacement of the die is measured, whereafter the load applied to the die is relieved, and the displacement of the die due to the elasticity is measured. The disclosed method enables to reduce the cost of testing with the use of dies, as well as to reduce the cost of foundations, and to enhance the reliability of structures by using information on structural properties and the characteristics of soils.