In order to explore the impact of the number of bearing plates on the bearing capacity of the expanded pile and the soil around the pile, a small half face pile model test equipment developed was used to record the deformation of the soil around the pile in real-time using using digital image correlation (DIC) technology equipment, and to analyze the displacement and failure characteristics of the soil around the pile. Experimental research shows that during loading, the soil under the load-bearing plate is compressed to form a compression zone, and the influence range of this zone gradually increases with the increase of load, while squeezing towards the soil on both sides. The cracks above the bearing plate continue to develop until a free zone is formed, and this area expands with the increase of load. The bearing capacity of three plate piles has been significantly improved compared to single plate piles and two plate piles, but their load-settlement curve shapes are relatively similar. During the loading process, the displacement changes of the soil around the pile near and below the bearing plate are the most significant. Therefore, the study supplements the research on the impact of the number of bearing plates on the soil around piles and other related directions.