This paper presents an experimental technique to measure maximum bubble loads, which are then compared with geometrical model estimations. The geometrical models studied assume that a particle monolayer, having a square arrangement, covers the entire bubble surface. Comparison of the experimental and analytical results gave a fairly high statistical correlation (R-2 = 0.89), when a shape factor was used for particle volume estimation (lambda = 0.32-0.41; [Kelly, E.G., Spottiswood, D.J. Introduction to Mineral Processing, John Wiley & Sons, 1982, p. 491]). This supports the applicability of geometrical models for maximum bubble load estimation. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.