Pure Appl. Geophys.

 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-018-1858-1 Pure and Applied Geophysics

Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test N
Value and Shear Wave Velocity for Guwahati Based on Thorough Subsoil Investigation Data
ABHISHEK KUMAR,1 N. H. HARINARAYAN,1 VISHAL VERMA,1 SAURABH ANAND,1 UDDIPANA BORAH,1 and
MOUSUMI BANIA1

Abstract—Guwahati, the Gateway of India in the northeast, is a 1. Introduction

large business and development center. Past seismic scenarios
suggest moderate to significant effects of regional earthquakes
(EQs) in Guwahati in terms of liquefaction as well as building
damages. Considering the role of local soil in amplifying EQ-
generated ground motions and controlling surface damages, present
study attempts seismic site classification of subsoil of Guwahati.
Subsoil is explored based on 43 geophysical tests and 244 borelogs
gathered from different resources. Based on the borehole data, 4
numbers of 2D cross-sections are developed from different parts of
Guwahati, clearly indicating that a majority of the locations are
composed of clay of intermediate to high plasticity while at specific
locations only, layers of sand are found at selective depths. Further,
seismic site classification based on 30 m average SPT-N suggests
that a major part of Guwahati falls under seismic site class (SSC) D
such as Balaji Temple and Airport. However, Assam Zoo, Pan
Bazaar, IIT campus, Dhol Gobinda and Maligaon show SSC E
clearly indicating the presence of soft soil deposits at these loca-
tions. Similar site classification is also attempted from MASW test-
based 30 m average shear wave velocity (VS30). VS30-based site
classification also categorizes most of Guwahati under SSC D.
However, there are locations in the southern part of Guwahati
which belong to SSC C as well. Mismatch in SSC based on two
different test findings for Indian soil found here are consistent with
previous studies. Further, three empirical correlations based on
both SPT-N and VS profiles at 22 test locations are developed for:
(1) clayey; (2) sandy and (3) all soil types. Proposed correlation for
all soil types is validated graphically and is found closely matching
with similar correlations for Turkey and Lucknow.
Key words: Seismic site classification, SPT-N, shear wave
velocity, lithological cross-section, empirical correlation.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this
article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-018-1858-1) contains sup-
plementary material, which is available to authorized users.
1 the River Brahmaputra. The Dhubri Bazaar in Assam
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of
Technology, Guwahati, India. E-mail: abhiak@iitg.ernet.in;
abhitoaashu@gmail.com
The seismicity of northeast India is the combined
effect of Indian–Eurasian Plate boundary in the north
and the Burmese arc in the east. This region is
amongst the most seismically active regions of the
world. Other regions with similar seismicity include
San Andreas in the United States, Guerrero region in
Mexico and regions of Japan, Taiwan and Turkey. As
per the report by United Nations, published under
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
(INDNDR) for the year 1991–2001, more than 18
earthquakes (EQ) of magnitude greater than 7 have
occurred in the northeast India in the last century
(Kayal 1998). Some of these significant EQs include
1869 Cachar EQ (M-7.8), 1897 Shillong EQ (M-8.1),
1918 Srimangal EQ (M-7.6), 1931 Assam EQ (M-
7.6), 1950 North Assam EQ (M-8.7), etc., with
reported large-scale damages across the north-eastern
region. Oldham (1882) reported that the 1869 Cachar
EQ caused moderate to severe damages to public
buildings in Khasi Hills of the Shillong Plateau. This
EQ had also triggered ground fissures and sand vents
at various places across northeast India (Oldham
1882). The 1897 Assam EQ has been one of the great
EQs of India, which prompted landslides, ground
fissures and turned infrastructure to rubble at
numerous locations (Bilham and England 2001).
Shaking during this EQ was also felt at several other
locations across the Indian subcontinent (CNDM
2002; Baro and Kumar 2015; Kumar and Baro 2016;
Baro and Kumar 2017). As a result, 18- to 30-m-wide
fissures came into existence, parallel to the banks of
was severely affected by these fissures. Further east
 A. Kumar et al.
of Dhubri at Rowmari in Assam, sand vents were
formed which ejected sand and mud up to a height of
1 m above the ground level (Oldham 1899).
According to Bilham and England (2001), energy
released during the 1897 Assam EQ was so strong
that it caused the northern edge of the Shillong Pla-
teau to rise by 11 m. Above examples give a clear
picture of catastrophes that were caused during dif-
ferent EQs in the northeast region.
Damage scenario during an EQ is a combined
effect of the size of EQ as well as the characteristics
of subsoil present beneath the building. Further,
induced effects of EQ at a site are functions of EQ-
generated ground motions and their modification by
subsoil. The characteristics of EQ-generated ground
motion completely changes. Available subsoil below
the ground alters the ground motion generated during
an EQ at the bedrock level once it reaches the sur-
face. This phenomenon is known as the local site
effect and has considerable influence in changing the
ground motion characteristics between the bedrock
and the surface (Anbazhagan et al. 2010, 2011;
Kumar et al. 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017a, b; Mondal and
Kumar 2016, Kumar and Mondal 2017). Depending
upon the subsoil characteristics, the amount of dam-
age induced during an EQ may vary from epicentral
region to distant locations as reported worldwide.
Thus, determination of subsoil characteristics is
equally important in understanding the ongoing
seismic activity in a region.
Seismic site class (SSC) is the characterization of
subsoil based on the average shear strength proper-
ties. Most of the classification systems proposed till
date (BSSC 2003; Eurocode 8; IBC, 2009) use top
30-m-based average N-SPT (N30) or shear wave
velocity (Vs30) or Cu values for site classification.
Vs30 is popular because it is comparatively a simple
parameter and the data acquisition is faster (Martin
and Diehl 2004). SSC of a site is important mainly
from three aspects. Firstly, for the selection of suit-
able attenuation relation for seismic hazard analysis
by comparing ground motion recorded at a recording
station and ground motion proposed using suit-
able attenuation relation for same SSC condition.
Secondly, for development of regional attenuation
relation, a large set of recorded ground motions in a
region for different SSCs are needed. Thirdly, for
Pure Appl. Geophys.
regional site response analysis, ground motion
recorded by seismic recording station should be
selected appropriately considering its SSC. Thus,
SSC of a site plays a vital role in understanding the
overall seismic activity of the site in addition to
providing qualitative information whether the selec-
ted site belongs to a soft deposit, stiff deposit or a
hard rock medium.
Empirical correlations between N-SPT and VS at
regional level are required for determination of low
strain dynamic soil properties in equivalent linear
ground response modeling as well as for homoge-
nization of subsoil information obtained from
different test types.
2. Study Area
Present study area of Guwahati lies adjacent to the
River Brahmaputra in the state of Assam in northeast
India. As per the recent Government plans, Guwahati
is considered at number 18 in the list of 59 cities in
India to be developed further as smart cities. Thus,
tremendous growth in infrastructure can be seen in
the coming years in Guwahati. The city covers an
area of approximately 600 km2 with its center at
26080 N and 91400 E. As per census 2011, the city
holds a population of approximately 1 million. The
plain area of Guwahati has an average elevation of
54.17 m above the mean sea level. Further, there are
a number of hills and hillocks in Guwahati including;
the Buragosain Parbat (426 m), the Fatasil hill
(292 m), Nilachal hills (293 m), Khurguli hill
(216 m), Sila Pahar (220 m), Chunsali Pahar
(215 m), Japorigog hill (277 m), Narangi hill
(240 m), Amchang Pahar (202 m), Narakasur hill
(267 m), Sonaiguli hill (102 m), Jalukbari hill
(168 m), etc. Besides the above hills, there are sev-
eral low-lying areas and small lakes within the city
including the Deepar Beel in the southwestern part of
Guwahati, the Ghuguli Beel, Raja Beel, Hahsara
Beel, Susuki Beel, Pata Beel and Pitni Beel in the
extreme north Guwahati. Further, the Silsako Beel,
the Damal Beel, and the Tepar Beel in the eastern
part while the Borsola beel and the Sarusola beel lie
in the central part of Guwahati.
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…

Entire Guwahati lies in seismic zone V (IS 1893 Kalapahar-Fatasil hill range (GSI 2000; Raghukanth
2002) indicating region of highest seismicity in the and Dash 2010; Kumar et al. 2014). It is clearly
country, with a seismic zonation factor of 0.36. evidenced from the above discussion that in addition
Guwahati lies in between the river Brahmaputra and to the seismicity of nearby regions, active faults exist
the Shillong Plateau. Baro and Kumar (2017) found on local scale as well for Guwahati city. In addition,
that the entire seismotectonic province of 500 km damages during past EQs highlight that Guwahati is
radial distance around Shillong Plateau is composed vulnerable to induced effects causing building dam-
of four different seismic source zones having differ- ages and failure of other utilities as discussed in detail
ent seismic activity namely: (1) the Shillong Plateau– by Baro and Kumar (2016). A close observation of
Assam Valley Zone (SP-AVZ); (2) the Indo-Burma reported damages clearly indicates building damages
Ranges Zone (IBRZ); (3) the Bengal Basin Zone at many locations such as Pan Bazaar during 1869
(BBZ) and (4) the Eastern Himalaya Zone (EHZ). As Cachar EQ (M-7.8). In addition, at several locations
shown in Fig. 1, the study area of Guwahati lies the ground water rose to the ground surface, which is
adjacent to the Shillong Plateau. Figure 1 also pre- a possible case of liquefaction at Guwahati as
sents a summary of past EQ events that occurred reported by the Geological Survey of India (CNDM
within 500 km radial distance clearly highlighting the 2002). Colonel Davis, Chief Engineer of Guwahati
seismic potential of the study area. In addition to reported that the walls of the jail in Guwahati were
active faults in the Shillong Plateau, the city of cracked; brick buildings, church piers and graveyards
Guwahati also consists of local faults running across had undergone partial to complete collapse (Oldham
the city. These include; (1) 5-km-long fault running 1882). Similar observations of damages were made
between Nilachal and Fatasil hills; (2) 10 km fault during 1897 Shillong EQ (M-8.7) at Guwahati. As
running NE–SW between the Kalapahar and Fatasil reported by Oldham, 1897 Shillong EQ caused
hills; (3) 20 km fault running between the southern ground subsidence along the banks of the River
foothills and the river Brahmaputra; and (4) another Brahmaputra in Guwahati. In addition, ground fis-
fault existing between the southern foothills and the suring in a small stream located at the western end of

30 EHZ

29
BH2
28 26.25
SP-AVZ
27
BH1
Latitude ( N)

Latitude (N) (Degree)

26
26.2
25 2 3’
24
IBRZ
4’
23 BBZ
Legend 1’
4.0<=Mw<=5.0
5.1<=Mw<=6.0
26.15
4 3
22 6.1<=Mw<=7.0
7.1<=Mw<=8.0
21
Mw>8.0
Shillong Plateau
2’
1
Tectonic features
20
Zone boundary 26.1 BH4
86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 BH3
Longitude ( E)
MASW test locations
0 2 4 6 8
Borehole location
26.05
91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (E) (Degree)

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

Figure 1
Seismic activity of surrounding region around Guwahati and important places of Guwahati (modified after Baro and Kumar 2017) along with
the distribution of boreholes and MASW test locations across Guwahati
 A. Kumar et al.
Guwahati Bazaar was observed during 1897 Shillong
EQ. As a result, about 18-in. shortening of a three-
girder bridge was reported in Guwahati (CNDM
2002). Further, all the temples which were located at
the hilltop were completely shattered during this
event. Rise in the level of water up to 7.6 m along
with the reversal in the direction of flow was reported
in the river Brahmaputra during this event (CNDM
2002). Another damage scenario includes fall of
rocks from the hill top into the River Brahmaputra
causing blockage in the flow as well as liquefaction
and ground subsidence at various places during 1950
Assam EQ. The above discussion clearly highlights
the seismic potential of Guwahati and the kind of
damage scenario experienced during various EQs. In
case of occurrence of a similar EQ in the nearby
future, damage will be manifold due to increase in
population density.
3. Subsoil Information of Guwahati
Surface seismic scenario evidenced during an EQ
is a collected effect of ground motions transferred at
the site during an EQ and amplification of this ground
motion by local soil (Kumar et al. 2016, 2017, b) as
discussed earlier. Thus, for the better assessment of
surface damage scenario towards minimizing the
same during future EQs, subsoil information at
Guwahati is explored in this work. As per Sharma
and Rahman (2016), the city is mostly composed of
alluvial soil deposits and sediments fill, surrounded
by Precambrian residual hills. These alluvial deposits
are brown to grey in color, silty clays, which can be
found in valleys and other low-lying areas of the city
and are overlain by artificially transported soils.
Further, the hills surrounding the city are primarily
composed of porphyritic granites. While sandy soils
are produced by weathering and can be found in
many parts of the city, areas underlain by quartz-
feldspar are covered by red soils and are rich in clay
minerals.
In order to assess the subsoil properties of
Guwahati, a large number of borelogs were collected
by Raghukanth and Dash (2010). As per Raghukanth
and Dash (2010), the city consists of a mixed geology
comprising granitic rocks as outcrop at different
Pure Appl. Geophys.
locations across the city followed by alluvial deposits
in the altitude range between 200 and 400 m above
mean sea level. Rock outcrop can be evidenced at
several locations such as Kalapahad, Guwahati zoo,
Guwahati University, Phatasil, etc., as per Raghu-
kanth and Dash (2010). Similarly, there are subsoil
deposits in the thickness range of less than 100 m to
greater than 300 m. Based on borehole reports
available from different geotechnical firms, Raghu-
kanth and Dash (2010) as well as Ayothiraman et al.
(2012) found that the subsoil at Guwahati is com-
posed of silty sand, sandy silt and silty clay. Out of
100 boreholes considered by Ayothiraman et al.
(2012), it was found that more than 92 borehole
locations fall under SSC E, 7 boreholes correspond to
SSC D and one borehole correspond to SSC C. Fur-
ther, borehole reports suggest N-SPT variation in the
range of 8–15 at 2 m depth to a value of 12–50 at
20 m depth as per Ayothiraman et al. (2012). In
addition, a majority of the locations show N-SPT
variation in the range of 12–16 in the top 10 m.
In the present work, in order to understand subsoil
characteristics, subsoil information is collected based
on two different types of tests in accordance with
NDMA (2011) including N-SPT based on 244
borelogs as well as 45 Multichannel Analysis of
Surface Waves (MASW) tests across Guwahati, as
shown in Fig. 1. It can be clearly seen in Fig. 1 that
the collected borelogs as well as MASW test loca-
tions are well distributed across Guwahati. Detailed
discussion on subsoil information based on borehole
data as well as MASW tests can be found in subse-
quent subsections.
3.1. Boreholes-Based Subsurface Investigation
For the present work, collected borehole data
consists of the N-SPT measurement at 244 locations
across Guwahati city as shown in Fig. 1 up to 30 m at
a regular intervals of 1.5 m. Out of 244 boreholes,
175 borehole information up to 30 m depth are taken
from one source while additional 69 borelogs were
collected from GMDA (Guwahati Metropolitan
Development Authority) drilled under Guwahati
Metro Rail project (personal communication). Both
the databases provide soil type and N-SPT value with
depth up to 30 m, depth of water table, etc. The
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…
above collected borehole data are used in the present
work for: (1) development of 4 numbers of two-
dimensional (2D) cross-sections highlighting subsoil
lithology variation across Guwahati till 30 m depth
referring to the work of Anbazhagan et al. (2013)
and; (2) development of seismic site classification
map based on N30 values based on above 244
boreholes. Four typical borelogs from north-eastern,
north-western, south-western and south-eastern parts
of Guwahati in accordance with Fig. 1 are shown in
Figure A, B, C and D, respectively, in the Online
Appendix A. It can be observed in Figure A that the
Uzaan Bazaar area has filled-up material in the top
1.5 m having N-SPT of 5 followed by silty to clayey
soil having low plasticity clay (CL) to intermediate
plasticity clay (CI) with no traces of sand till 30 m
depth. N-SPT for this location ranges from 5 to 37 as
shown in Figure A. Depth of water table for this
location is 1 m below the ground level. Thus, even
though the water table is near the ground level,
chances of liquefaction for this location are rare in the
absence of sandy soil. Another borelog from north-
western part adjacent to the River Brahmaputra in
Amingaon is presented in Figure B indicating the
presence of silty clay to silty sand followed by the
presence of gravel beyond 24 m depth. Collectively,
this location consists of a surface layer having high
plasticity clay (CH) followed by silty, sandy and
gravely layers. N-SPT variation for these layers vary
from 7 at the topmost layer to 50 beyond 15 m depth
till 30 m. Since at shallower depths, N-SPT is low
with presence of silty clay and silty sandy soil along
with water depth at 1 m adjacent to the river course,
there are chances that this location may undergo
liquefaction due to significant ground shaking during
future EQs. Another typical borelog from Dharapur
in southwestern part of Guwahati is presented in
Figure C indicating CI in top layers followed by CH
till 12 m depth having N-SPT ranging between 10
and 16. The water table for this borelog is found at
0.8 m below ground surface. Further, beyond 15 m
depth, silty sand is encountered till 30 m depth
having N-SPT in the range of 65–100. Borelog from
Beltola Bazaar is presented as a typical one from
south-eastern part of Guwahati as shown in Figure D.
Stratification observed from Figure D indicates that
the entire depth is composed of CI to CH having
N-SPT ranging from 12 to 68 with the depth of water
table as 1.5 m. Collectively, based on the above four
borelogs taken from different parts of the city, it can
be clearly observed that at a majority of locations,
subsurface is composed of clayey layers with varying
plasticity followed by silty to sandy layers at certain
depths only. Further, the depth of water table is
shallower across Guwahati. The above discussion on
subsoil information is based on point information and
thus variation in lithology of different soil types
across the city cannot be understood from point
information. Thus, based on these point locations
across the city, 4 randomly selected 2D cross-sections
of subsoil lithology are developed in this work.
Subsoil information at borehole locations is taken
from borelogs while intermediate information is
interpolated. Anbazhagan et al. (2013) developed
similar cross-sections for Lucknow. Work by
Anbazhagan et al. (2013) is referred here for the
development of these 4 number of lithological 2D
cross-sections. All the four cross-sections are marked
in Fig. 1 as 1-10 , 2-20 , 3-30 and 4-40 and the
corresponding lithological cross-sections are pre-
sented in Fig. 2a–d, respectively. Figure 2a
represents subsoil lithological profile along 1-10 (see
Fig. 1) in the eastern part of Guwahati showing the
presence of CI along with a combination of CL and
traces of CH in major half of the cross-section
extending up to 30 m depth. At certain locations,
traces of filled-up soil are observed near the surface
extending up to a depth of 2–10 m. At a deeper depth
([ 15 m), clayey sand (SC) is observed with the local
pockets of silty sand (SM) and poorly graded sand
(SP) and bands of clayey soil. Gravel is also observed
in the form of local pockets at the depth of 25 m.
Further, Fig. 2b represents subsoil lithological
profile along 2-20 (refer to Fig. 1) in the northeastern
part of Guwahati. It shows the presence of CI and CL
dominating the cross-sectional area. Local pockets of
gravel and SM are observed at shallower as well as
deeper depths. Further, bands of CH, SM and SP are
observed only at specific locations at deeper depths.
Similarly, Fig. 2c represents subsoil lithological
profile along 3-30 in the central part of Guwahati
(as per Fig. 1) showing the presence of CI soil at
shallow depth and pocket of CL surrounded by the
bands and pockets of CI and CH. Traces of filled-up
 A. Kumar et al. Pure Appl. Geophys.

(a) 1 1' (b) 2 2'

0 0

Depth below GL (m)

Depth below GL (m)

05 05
10 10
15 15
20 20
25 25
30 30

LEGENDS LEGENDS

CH CI CL CH CI CL

CI-CL CI-CH SP CI-CL CI-CH SP

SC SM GRAVEL SC SM GRAVEL

FILLED-UP SOIL SW FILLED-UP SOIL SW

(d)
(c) 3 3' 0
4 4'
0

Depth below GL (m)

Depth below GL (m)

05
05
10
10
15
15
20
20
25 25
30
30

LEGENDS LEGENDS

CH CI CL CH CI CL

CI-CL CI-CH SP CI-CL CI-CH SP

SC SM GRAVEL
SC SM GRAVEL

FILLED-UP SOIL SW
FILLED-UP SOIL SW

Figure 2
Lithology cross-section up to 30 m depth below ground level (GL) through: a section 1-10 ; b section 2-20 ; c section 3-30 and d section 4-40 as
per Fig. 1

material can also observed at the surface extending gravel are also observed at the depth of 25 m.
up to 2 m depth. At deeper depth ([ 10 m), a major Collectively, based on the above discussion, it can be
part of the cross-section is composed of SP along concluded that a majority of subsoil in Guwahati is
with the local pockets and the bands of SM. In dominated by CH and CI and at certain locations
addition, gravel is observed at the depth of 25 m at only, traces of SM, SP and SC can be found. Thus,
some places in the form of local pockets. Figure 2d presence of sandy soil for Guwahati cannot be
represents subsoil lithological profile along 4-40 in the generalized.
western part of Guwahati as per Fig. 1 which shows
the presence of CI at shallow depth followed by CL at
3.2. N-SPT-Based Seismic Site Classification
further depth. Traces of filled-up material are
of Guwahati
observed at the surface which is surrounded by bands
of gravel, SM and clay with CI and CH. At deeper Borehole provides information about soil type at
depth ([ 10 m), cross-section is dominated by SM testing locations while cross-section provides the
extending up to 30 m depth. Further, local pockets variation in subsoil lithology across Guwahati. Fur-
and bands of SC can be observed. Local pockets of ther, in order to understand the average strength
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…
characteristics of subsoil, seismic site classification
based on N30 is attempted here. N-SPT variation with
depth at each test location is used to determine the
value of N30 at that location using the following
formula:
Pn
di
N30 ¼ P i¼1  ; ð1Þ
n di
i¼1 Ni
where N30 is 30 m average N-SPT, di is the thickness
of ‘‘ith’’ layer, n is the total number of layers up to
30 m depth as obtained during borehole drilling and
Ni is the N-SPT of each layer ‘‘i’’. In order to develop
SSC-based map based on N-SPT, value of N30 at each
of the above 244 borehole locations is determined
using Eq. (1) while N30 values in between the bore-
hole locations are interpolated using Kriging
interpolation technique after referring to the work by
Anbazhagan et al. (2013) and Kumar et al. (2013).
Based on obtained N30 values, seismic site classifi-
cation map following NEHRP (National Earthquake
Hazard Reduction program) site classification
scheme (BSSC 2003) in accordance with Table 1 is
developed for Guwahati as shown in Fig. 3. NEHRP
classification scheme categorizes subsoil into three
SSC namely C, D and E based on N30 as seen in
Table 1. From Fig. 3, it can be observed that the
entire Guwahati city belongs to SSC D and E. Major
locations in Guwahati belong to SSC D including
Balaji temple and Guwahati airport. Similarly, there
are a number of locations in eastern, northern and
central parts such as Assam zoo, Pan Bazaar, IIT
Guwahati, Dhol Gobinda, Maligaon and Amingaon
which belong to SSC E indicating soft soil deposits
and thus extra caution has to be taken at these soft
soil sites before any construction. It has to be
Table 1
NEHRP site classification (BSSC 2003)
Site class General description VS30 (m/s)
A Hard rock [ 1500
B Rock 760–1500 c
C Very dense soil and soft rock 360–760
D Stiff soil 180–360
E Soft soil \ 180
N30
26.25
Latitude (Degree) (N)
26.2
50
26.15
15
26.1
26.05
0
91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (Degree) (E)
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Figure 3
N30 -based seismic site classification map of Guwahati
highlighted here that this SSC-based map has been
developed based on point information from borehole
sites. There are boreholes on either side of the River
Brahmaputra and for this reason, in spite of no
borehole report from the River Brahmaputra, site
classification contours are presented in Fig. 3.
Authors recommend additional information to be
collected in addition to the present work before
concluding site classification within the River
Brahmaputra alignment.
In order to further explore changes in subsoil
strength with respect to depth, average N-SPT
contours (similar to Fig. 3) for 5, 10, 15, 20 and
25 m are developed using Eq. (1) as shown in
Fig. 4a–e, respectively. It can be observed form
Fig. 4a that a majority of locations in the city consist
of soft soil deposits (SSC E) while certain locations
in the central part and western parts of Guwahati exist
which belong to SSC D based on 5 m average N-SPT
(N5 ) values. Further, Fig. 4b presents 10 m average
N-SPT (N10 Þ contours across Guwahati. It can be
clearly observed that in comparison to Fig. 4a, a
larger portion of city is changed from SSC E to SSC
D, which clearly indicates increase in average N-SPT
N30
values in these locations between 5 and 10 m depth.
– Similar increase in average N-SPT with depth can be
–
observed at major locations in Guwahati as can be
[ 50
15–50 observed from Fig. 4c–e which are based on average
\ 15 N-SPT for 15 m (N15 Þ, 20 m (N20 Þ and 25 m (N25 Þ
depths, respectively. However, collectively based on
 A. Kumar et al. Pure Appl. Geophys.

N20
N5
26.25 26.25 (d)
(a)

Latitude (Degree) (N)

26.2 26.2
Latitude (Degree) (N)

50
50
26.15 26.15

26.1 26.1 15
15

26.05 26.05

0 0
91.5 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85 91.5 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (Degree) (E) Longitude (Degree) (E)
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

N10 N25
26.25 (b) 26.25 (e)
Latitude (Degree) (N)

26.2

Latitude (Degree) (N)

50 26.2
50
26.15
26.15

26.1 15
26.1 15

26.05
26.05
0
91.5 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85 0
91.5 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (Degree) (E)
Longitude (degree) (E)
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
N15
26.25 (c)
26.2
Latitude (Degree) (N)

50
26.15

26.1
15

26.05

0
91.5 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (Degree) (E)
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

Figure 4
Average N-SPT contours for a 5 m, b 10 m, c 15 m, d 20 m and e 25 m for Guwahati

Fig. 4a–e, it can be observed that certain locations in properties for 244 boreholes. In addition to the
the northern and central parts of Guwahati are borehole reports, geophysical tests using MASW are
completely composed of soft soil deposits throughout carried out across the city as discussed in the next
the depth. Above observations are based on 30 m soil section.
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…
3.3. VS-Based Seismic Site Classification
of Guwahati
In addition to the borehole information, geophys-
ical tests using MASW are carried out at 43 locations
across Guwahati (see Fig. 1) as an additional method
of subsoil exploration in accordance with NDMA
(2011). Based on MASW tests, VS variation with
depth as characteristics of subsoil is obtained at 43
locations across Guwahati. Findings from MASW
tests are used in two ways namely: (1) for develop-
ment of VS30 -based SSC contour map for Guwahati
and (2) for development of empirical correlation
between VS and N-SPT values by comparing these
two values at test locations with both N-SPT as well
as VS profiles available.
3.3.1 Geophysical Testing Using MASW
MASW is a geophysical method that records vibra-
tions caused by active and passive sources. Recorded
data consists of first arriving body waves, surface
waves and noises which are vibrations from other
sources. With major portion of seismic energy is in
form of ground rolls (Rayleigh waves) while rest
energy is available in form of body waves (Everett
2013). In MASW survey, Rayleigh wave which was
earlier considered as noise is used for subsoil
investigation. The dispersive property of Rayleigh
wave in heterogeneous medium is the key to overall
analysis. Entire analysis using MASW can be divided
into three parts namely: (1) field recording, (2)
dispersion and (3) inversion.
(1) Field recording For present work, field testing
consists of an impact source where 10 kg sledge
hammer is struck against a metal plate, 24
numbers of 4.5 Hz geophones which sense
ground vibrations on multichannel record using
a geode mounted with a control unit and neces-
sary connecting cables. During field testing, shot
coordinates of 4, 8 and 12 m at each test
locations along with geophone interval of 1 m
and 1.5 m are attempted. Further, for each of
these configurations, recordings are done for
2000, 3750 and 7500 ms sampling frequencies.
Overall, that field configuration which provides
maximum depth of VS profile at test location is
selected for seismic site classification as well as
development of empirical correlations as
explained later. If the test is done in market area
or adjacent to the road, either the test is done in
early hours of the day with no disturbance due to
traffic movement or the traffic movement is
restricted during the testing.
(2) Dispersion curve Rayleigh waves in a heteroge-
neous media persists dispersive characteristics,
i.e., waves with different frequencies will prop-
agate with different wave lengths (Xia et al.
1999). In other words, depending upon the
subsoil characteristics, frequency content Ray-
leigh waves, which are generated from impact
loading are received at known distant geophones
after getting refracted from different depths.
Thus, at all the geophones, traces of wide range
of frequency content (C 4.5 Hz) are swept.
Based on the slope between travel time versus
geophone distance traced from linear component
of record, phase velocity are each frequency are
estimated. Summarizing all the phase velocities
versus frequencies from a multichannel record
generates a typical dispersion curve from a field
recording at a test site.
For the present work, phase shift method by Park
et al. (1998) is used in SurfSeisTM 5.0 software for
developing dispersion curve at each of the 43 test
sites. It has to be highlighted here that at each test
site, a number of analyses based on single stacking
are done and the dispersion curve with signal to noise
(S/N) ratio greater than 0.70 in coherence with the
existing literature are used for further analysis.
Figure 5 presents a typical dispersion curve for
Guwahati obtained during present work.
(3) Inversion MASW is a not destructive test in
which subsoil properties are obtained in form of
Vs variation with depth which is a measure of
variation in shear strength of subsoil layers with
depth. Since subsoil properties show variation,
such subsoil persists dispersive characteristics. In
other words, for above Vs profile there will be a
dispersion curve. Since Vs profile at test site is not
known in advance and is the objective of MASW
test which is achieved by inversion. Initially an
earth model with known VP, VS (P-wave and
 A. Kumar et al.
Figure 5
A typical dispersion curve for Guwahati based on present MASW test
S-wave velocities, respectively), density (q) and
the layer thickness (h) are assumed and the
corresponding dispersion curve known as theo-
retical dispersion curve is developed for the earth
model (Schwab et al. 1972). Further, above earth
model is modified iteratively till the theoretical
dispersion curve matches with the experimental
dispersion curve obtained from field record as
discussed earlier (Ryden and Park 2006). Model
properties corresponding to final iteration are
then considered as actual VS profile at the test
location. In the present work, inversion of
theoretical earth model is done based on bisec-
tion method in accordance with Press et al.
(1992); Xia et al. (1999) in SurfSeisTM 5.0
software. Root Mean Square (RMS) between
theoretical and experimental dispersion curve is
considered to be lesser than 2.5 in the entire
analyses. Figure 6 presents a typical Vs profile for
Guwahati obtained from the present work.
3.3.2 Seismic Site Classification and Subsoil
Characteristics of Guwahati Based on MASW
Once VS profiles are obtained as per the above
discussed MASW tests, seismic site classification
map for Guwahati is developed considering VS30 as
per following equation:
Pure Appl. Geophys.
Pn
di
VS30 ¼ P i¼1  ; ð2Þ
n di
i¼1 Vi
where VS30 is 30 m average VS, di is the thickness of
layer ‘‘i’’, n is the total number of layers up to 30 m
depth as obtained during borehole drilling and Vi is
the VS of each layer ‘‘i’’ obtained after MASW test.
As discussed earlier, out of 45 MASW test locations,
VS profiles at 22 locations reach 30 m depth while
other 21 locations show VS profile up to shallower
depths (\ 15 m). For developing seismic site classi-
fication map, values of VS30 at these 22 locations are
used directly in Eq. (3). However, for 21 locations
with VS profile up to shallower depths, VS30 are
estimated at per Boore (2004) and used for seismic
site classification. Once VS30 at MASW test locations
are estimated, intermediate values are interpolated
based on Kriging interpolation method referring to
the work by Anbazhagan et al. (2013) for Lucknow.
Figure 7 presents SSC contour map for Guwahati
based on VS30 . It can be observed from Fig. 7 that
major locations in Guwahati belong to SSC D while
southern parts of Guwahati belong to SSC C with
VS30 in the range of 360–760 m/s. Presence of SSC D
in major portions of Guwahati is similar to the find-
ings based on N30 as discussed above. However,
certain locations show a mismatch in the SSC
obtained based on N30 and VS30 . Such a mismatch in
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…

Figure 6
A typical shear wave velocity profile for Guwahati based on present MASW test

VS30 certain locations in southern parts of Guwahati,

26.3
between 5 and 10 m. This can be observed by com-
26.25 paring Fig. 8a, b where a shift from SSC C to D can
Latitude (Degree) (N)

26.2
26.15
26.1
26.05
91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7
Longitude (Degree) (E)
0 0.05 0.1
Figure 7
VS30 -based seismic site classification map of Guwahati
the SSC in NEHRP classification system was also
mentioned by Anbazhagan et al. (2013) which again
raises questions on suitability of NEHRP site classi-
fication system to Indian soils and needs further
study. In order to understand the change in average
strength characteristics based on VS, contour maps are
developed considering average VS in 5, 10, 15, 20 and
25 m (VS5 ; VS10 ; VS15 ; VS20 and VS25 , respectively) as
shown in Fig. 8a–e, respectively. It can be clearly
observed from Fig. 8a that in top 5 m, other than
central and southern Guwahati, other locations show
soft soil deposits (SSC E). With increase in depth,
average VS increases at majority of locations except
760 m/s
be observed. With further increase in depth, average
VS increases as can be observed collectively from
360 m/s
Fig. 8a–e.
180 m/s
3.3.3 Empirical Correlations Between VS and N-SPT
for Guwahati
0 m/s
91.75 91.8 91.85 91.9
Borehole drilling is an expensive and time consuming
method of subsoil exploration. Thus, in most of the
0.15 0.2
studies keeping limited funds in mind, limited
boreholes are drilled. In addition, most of the earlier
subsoil explorations were done based on borehole
drilling followed by N-SPT measurement. In recent
times, however, geophysical tests such as MASW are
becoming popular for subsoil exploration as such
tests are quick, accurate and can provide subsoil
information even at deeper depths. Empirical corre-
lations between N-SPT and VS are very important so
that a homogenous database about subsoil character-
istics can be developed for a region based on N-SPT
and VS using both set of tests. In addition, NDMA
(2011) recommends more than one test to be
performed while exploring subsoil information for
SSC. Thus, summarizing findings from two different
tests, empirical correlations will be very useful. Such
 A. Kumar et al. Pure Appl. Geophys.

VS15
VS5 26.3
26.3 (c)
(a)
26.25

Latitude (Degree) (N)

26.25
760 m/s
Latitude (Degree) (N)

760 m/s
26.2
26.2

360 m/s 26.15 360 m/s

26.15

26.1 26.1
180 m/s 180 m/s

26.05 26.05

0 m/s 0 m/s
91.5 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (Degree) (E) Longitude (Degree) (E)

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

VS10 VS20
26.3
(b) 26.25
(d)
26.25
Latitude (Degree) (N)

Latitude (Degree) (N)

760 m/s 26.2 760 m/s
26.2
26.15
26.15 360 m/s 360 m/s

26.1
26.1
180 m/s 180 m/s
26.05 26.05

0 m/s 0 m/s
91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85 91.9 91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (degree) (E) Longitude (Degree) (E)
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

VS25
26.25 (e)
Latitude (Degree) (N)

26.2 760 m/s

26.15
360 m/s

26.1
180 m/s

26.05

0 m/s
91.55 91.6 91.65 91.7 91.75 91.8 91.85
Longitude (Degree (E)

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

Figure 8
Average VS contours for a 5 m, b 10 m, c 15 m, d 20 m and e 25 m for Guwahati

correlations also provide parameters for ground attempted in this work. While summarizing MASW
response analysis. Table 2 provides a summary of test locations with borehole locations, 22 locations
correlations between N-SPT and VS developed across are found in this work with both VS variation with
the globe. Such correlations are the functions of soil depth and N-SPT variation with depth. Based on
type and are region specific. For Guwahati, so far no these dataset, three sets of empirical correlations are
such correlation has been developed and is thus developed by comparing VS and N-SPT at same depth
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…

Table 2 a result, total number of points available for the

Worldwide proposed correlations between VS and SPT-N (N) used regression also reduced in comparison to actual data
for comparison in the recent work available. A total of 212 data points are used to
S. Authors Existing correlation for all
developed empirical correlation for clayey soil as
no. types of soil shown in Fig. 9a. Values of regression coefficients
for clayey soil are a = 47.84 and b = 0.60 with RMS
1 Ohba and Toriuma (1970) Vs = 84 N0.31
2 Fujiwara (1972) Vs = 92.1 N0.337
value of 0.76. For sandy soil as well, similar
3 Ohsaki and Iwasaki (1973) Vs = 81.4 N0.39 correlation is developed based on 89 data points of
4 Imai and Yoshimura (1970) Vs = 76 N0.33
5 Imai et al. (1975) Vs = 89.9 N0.341
6 Imai (1977) Vs = 91 N0.337 600
7 Ohta and Goto (1978) Vs = 85.35 N0.348 (a)
8 JRA-Sand (1980) Vs = 80 N(1/3) 500
9 JRA-Clay (1980) Vs = 100 N(1/3)
10 Seed and Idriss (1981) Vs = 61.4 N0.5 400
11 Imai (1982) Vs = 97 N0.314
107.6 N0.36

Vs (m/s)
12 Athanasopoulos (1995) Vs = 300 VS = 47.84N 0.60
13 Iyisan (1996) Vs = 51.5 N0.516 R² = 0.76
14 Hasancebi and Ulusay Vs = 90 N0.309 200
(2007)
0.43
15 Hanumantharao and Vs = 82.6 N 100
Ramana (2008)
0.3013
16 Maheshwari et al. (2010) Vs = 95.641 N
0
17 Anbazhagan et al. (2013) Vs = 68.96 N0.51 0 10 20 30 40 50
N
800
(b)
700

from each of the 22 above test location. Based on 600

literature, following function form between N-SPT 500
(N) and VS is considered for regression analysis:
Vs (m/s)

400

VS ¼ aN b ; ð3Þ 300 Vs = 58.66N 0.57

R² = 0.80
where a and b are the regression coefficients and as 200

per Ohsaki and Iwasaki (1973), Imai (1977), Ohta 100

and Goto (1978), Imai (1982), Iyisan (1996), Jafari 0

0 10 20 30 40 50
et al. (1997), values of coefficients ‘‘a’’ and ‘‘b’’ are N
inversely proportional to each other.
800
As observed from the borelogs (Fig. A–D, Online (c)
700
Appendix A) and lithological cross-sections (Fig. 2a–
600
d), a majority of subsoil is clayey in nature. For this
reason, a major portion of N and VS dataset belongs 500
Vs (m/s)

to clayey soil. Further, borelogs based on first source, 400

which covers major part of the borehole data, have 300

VS = 46.56N 0.62
N-SPT measurement up to 50 while borelogs 200
R² = 0.84

obtained from GMDA which cover almost 26% of

100
database, have N-SPT measurement up to 100. In
0
order to obtain a homogeneous combined database 0 10 20 30 40 50
for the regression with comparable N-SPT values N
throughout the range for developing empirical corre- Figure 9
lation, N-SPT from GMDA is considered up to 50. As Proposed empirical correlations between N-SPT and VS for
Guwahati for a clayey soils; b sandy soils and c all soil types
 A. Kumar et al. Pure Appl. Geophys.

N and VS datasets as shown in Fig. 9b. It has to be 600

mentioned here that borelogs as well as various cross-

500
sections are clearly indicating that sandy soil is not

Predicted SWV (m/s)

present in abundance in comparison to clayey soil. 400

For this reason, a number of points in dataset for

300
sandy soil are relatively less as seen in Fig. 9b in
comparison to clayey soil (Fig. 9a). Considering 200
functional form mentioned in Eq. (4), the values of Predicted SWV
100
a and b are found to be 58.66 and 0.57, respectively,
with RMS value of 0.80. In case soil type is not 0
known during field testing, another empirical corre- 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Measured SWV (m/s)
lation is developed collectively based on 301 data
points of N–VS dataset as developed in Fig. 9c where Figure 10
Comparison between measured and predicted VS based on
a and b are found to be 46.56 and 0.62, respectively,
proposed correlation for all soil types
with RMS value of 0.84. Further, proposed correla-
tion in this work can also be used to identify the  
lithology and compared with observed lithology Cd ¼ Vsm  Vsp SPT  N ; ð4Þ
based on VS. It has to be mentioned here that since where Vsm is the measured VS, Vsp is the predicted VS
the database used for developing correlation has measured on correlation for all soil types and N-SPT
N-SPT up to 50 from both sources of borelogs,
proposed correlations are applicable up to N-SPT of
35
50 only.
30 (a)
Normal Consistency Ratio (Cd)

25
3.3.4 Graphical Validation of the Proposed
20
Correlation
15

10
Empirical correlations proposed in this work are
5
based on field records. In order to validate proposed
0
correlation, its comparison with the dataset that was
-5
used to develop correlation is done in terms of
-10
predicted versus measured VS. It has to be mentioned
-15
here that measured VS is the one obtained during 0 10 20 30 40 50

MASW testing adjacent to the borehole location SPT-N Value

while predicted VS values are the ones obtained that 100

(b)
are based on proposed correlation for all soil types. 90

80
For validation, correlation proposed for all soil type is
Cumulative Frequency

70
used in this work. Figure 10 presents comparison
60
between measured and predicted VS. It can be
50
observed from Fig. 10 that for VS range up to
40
700 m/s, almost all the predicted values are within
30
a range of 1:0.7 and 1:1.5 lines which clearly 20
indicates that predictions are within ? 50%, - 30% 10
of the actual dataset. Further, to validate proposed 0
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
correlation, comparison in terms of normal consis-
Er Scaled Error Percent (%)
tency ratio ‘‘Cd ’’ as well as scaled percent error ‘‘Er ’’
has been done in here. The value of Cd is defined as: Figure 11
Graphical validation of proposed correlation for all soil types based
on a normalized consistency ratio ‘Cd’; b scaled error percent ‘Er’
 Seismic Site Classification and Empirical Correlation Between Standard Penetration Test…

600 Present Study

Ohba and Toriuma

(1970)
Fujiwara (1972)
500
Ohsaki and Iwasaki
(1973)
Imai and Yoshimura
(1970)
400 Imai et al. (1975)

Imai (1977)
SWV (m/s)

Ohta and Goto (1978)

300 JRA-Sand (1980)

JRA-Clay (1980)

Seed et al. (1981)

200
Imai and Tonouchi
(1982)
Athanasopopulos (1995)

100 Iyisan (1996)

Hasancebi and Ulusay

(2007)
Hanumantharao and
0 Ramana (2008)
Maheshwari et al. (2010)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Calculated SPT-N Value Anbazhagan et al. (2013)

Figure 12
Comparison of proposed correlation for all soil types with other worldwide correlation

is the measured SPT value corresponding to Vsm .
Figure 11a presents Cd variation for SPT-N values up
to 50. It can be clearly observed from Fig. 11a that on
an average, the value of Cd is zero clearly indicating,
a significant number of predicted VS values are
matching with measured VS for the entire range of
SPT-N. Further, more than 96% of SPT-N values fall
within ± 10% error range. Further, proposed corre-
lation validated in terms of Er defined as (Dikmen
2009):
100ðVsp  Vsm Þ
Er ¼ ; ð5Þ
Vsp
where Vsm is the measured VS, Vsp is the predicted VS
measured on correlation for all soil types. Plot of Er
versus cumulative frequency is presented in Fig. 11b.
It can be observed form Fig. 11b that more than 92%
dataset falls within ± 40% error band. Further, more
than 67% dataset falls within ± 20% error band.
Such an error band may be attributed to variation in
in situ stress condition and soil characteristics as per
Anbazhagan et al. (2013).
As mentioned earlier, the above empirical corre-
lation is not available for Guwahati. Thus, proposed
correlations will be very useful in regional ground
response analysis. Comparison of proposed correla-
tion for all soil types with worldwide correlation is
(listed in Table 2) made in Fig. 12. These worldwide
correlations include the ones by Japan Road Associ-
ation (JRA 1980), Ohba and Tourima (1970),
Fujiwara (1972), Ohta and Goto (1978), Seed and
Idriss (1981), Imai (1982), Athanasopoulous (1995),
etc. In addition, the proposed correlation for all soil
types is compared to correlations given by Hanu-
manthrao and Ramana (2008), Maheswari et al.
(2010), Anbazhagan and Sitharam (2008), Anbazha-
gan et al. (2013) for different parts of the Indian
subcontinent. It has to be highlighted here that in
India, correlations developed by Hanumanthrao and
Ramana (2008), Maheshwari et al. (2010) and
Anbazhagan et al. (2013) were based on field
measurement of both SP-N and VS till 30 m depth
while correlations developed by JRA (1980) and
Anbazhagan and Sitharam (2008) were based on field
 A. Kumar et al.
records for shallower deposits (\ 25 m). Comparison
of proposed correlations with all the correlations in
Fig. 12 clearly indicates a wide range of variation in
N–Vs correlations which might be the attribute to
regional soil characteristics as well as in situ condi-
tion of the soil varying from one region to the other.
For the proposed correlation, it can be observed that
up to SPT-N of 15, proposed correlation lies within
the variation pattern of numerous worldwide corre-
lations. Further, from SPT-N ranging between 15 and
30, proposed correlation matches very well with the
correlation by Hasancebi and Ulusay (2007) devel-
oped for Turkey. Beyond SPT-N of 30 and up to
SPT-N of 50, proposed correlation closely matches
with the correlation proposed by Anbazhagan et al.
(2013) as can be observed in Fig. 12. Thus, collec-
tively it can be concluded here that proposed
correlation is found matching very well with different
correlations for entire range of SPT-N.
4. Conclusion
Assessment of subsoil lithology is important in
assessing actual damage scenario as well as for city
planning. Present work attempts to understand subsoil
lithological details of Guwahati city in northeast
India. As a first attempt, assessment of soil type and
its strength characteristics based on 244 boreholes
with SPT-N variation up to 30 m depth is attempted.
Based on borehole information, 4 numbers of 2D
cross-sections are developed clearly indicating that in
a major portion of Guwahati, subsoil is composed of
CL to CH while the presence of sandy soil can be
witnessed at specific locations only in form of local
pockets or thin layers. Further, seismic site classifi-
cation based on N30 suggests that a major areas of
Guwahati comes under to SSC D and E. Locations
like Balaji temple, Airport, a number of locations in
eastern, northern and central parts such as Assam zoo,
Pan Bazaar, IIT Guwahati, Dhol Gobinda, Maligaon
and Amingaon belong to SSC E which indicates soft
soil deposit and thus extra caution has to be taken.
In addition to boreholes discussed above, 43
MASW tests are also conducted to explore subsoil
characteristics in terms of VS. Seismic site classifi-
cation based on VS also suggests SSC C and D for
Pure Appl. Geophys.
Guwahati. While a majority of the locations are found
belonging to SSC D both based on N30 and VS30,
mismatch in SSC obtained based on N30 and VS30 is
also found. Such mismatch coincides with the exist-
ing literature clearly raising question about suitability
of NEHRP-based SSC for Indian subcontinent.
Further, on comparing VS and N-SPT profiles with
depth at 22 locations across Guwahati, empirical
correlations between VS and N-SPT are proposed up
to 30 m depth and up to SPT-N of 50. In total three
empirical correlations namely for: (1) clayey soils;
(2) sandy soils and (3) for all soil types are proposed
in this work. Proposed correlations are also validated
using bootstrapping method using random sample of
200 data. Further, proposed correlation for all soil
types is also validated graphically clearly indicating
low range of error bands. In addition, proposed cor-
relation for all soil type is found matching with
similar correlation for Turkey and Lucknow. Pro-
posed correlations are first attempt for study area of
Guwahati, which will be very helpful in ground
response analysis as well as in assessing the lique-
faction potential.
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to thank start-up project titled
‘‘Seismic site classification of Guwahati city and
development of design response spectra considering
detailed in situ geotechnical and geophysical studies’’
from IIT Guwahati for necessary motivation and
financial support for this work. Further, authors ate
thankful to Guwahati Metropolitan Development
Authority (GMDA) for sharing necessary borehole
reports and for permitting MASW tests across
Guwahati without which present work would not
have been possible.
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