BCP

SP-2007 CH-04

CHAPTER 4

SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS

4.1 Symbols and Notations

dc = Total thickness (30 - ds) of cohesive soil layers in the top 30 m (100 ft).
di = Thickness of layer i, m (ft).
ds = Total thickness of cohesionless soil layers in the top 30 m (100 ft).
Ft = That portion of the base shear, V, considered concentrated at the top of the
structure in addition to Fn (Refer Chapter 5, Division IV).
H = Thickness of soil m (ft).
Ni = Standard penetration resistance of soil layer in accordance with ASTM
D 1586.
N = Average field standard penetration resistance.
NCH = Average standard penetration resistance for cohesion-less soil layers.
PI = Plasticity Index.
SA, SB = Soil profile types.
SC, SD
SE and SF
su = Undrained shear strength, kPa (psf).
sui = Undrained shear strength in accordance with approved nationally recognized
standards, not to exceed 250 kPa (5,220 psf).
vs = Measured shear wave velocity m/s (ft./sec).
vsi = Shear wave velocity in layer i, m/sec (ft/sec).
wmc = Moisture content (%).

4.2 Scope

Determination of soil conditions of buildings to be constructed in seismic areas shall be performed,

along with the applicable codes and standards, primarily in accordance with the rules and
requirements of this section.

4.3 Determination of Soil Conditions

4.3.1 Site Geology and Soil Characteristics

4.3.1.1 Each site shall be assigned a soil profile type based on properly substantiated soil
engineering characteristics using the site categorization procedure described in Section 4.4.

4.3.1.2 Soil Profile Types SA, SB, SC, SD and SE are classified in Table 4.1. Soil Profile Type SF is
defined as soils requiring site specific evaluation.

4.4 Soil Profile Types

4.4.1 Scope

This section describes the procedure for determining Soil Profile Types SA through SF in accordance
with Table 4.1.

4.4.2 Definitions

Soil profile types are defined as follows:

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SA Hard rock with measured shear wave velocity, vs > 1500 m/s (4,920 ft/sec).
SB Medium hard rock with 750 m/s < vs < 1500 m/s (2,460 ft/sec < vs < 4,920 ft/sec).
SC Very dense soil and soft rock with 350 m/s < vs < 750 m/s (1,150 ft/sec < vs < 2,460 ft/sec) or
with either N > 50 or su > 100 kPa (2,088 psf).
SD Stiff soil with 175 m/s < vs < 350 m/s (575 ft/sec < vs < 1,150 ft/sec) or with 15 < N < 50 or
50 kPa < su < 100 kPa (1,044 psf < su < 2,088 psf).
SE A soil profile with vs < 175 m/s (575 ft/sec) or with N <15 or with su <50 kPa (1,044 psf) or
any profile with more than 3 m (10 ft) of soft clay defined as soil with PI > 20, wmc > 40
percent and su < 25 kPa (522 psf).
SF Soils requiring site-specific evaluation:

1. Soils vulnerable to potential failure or collapse under seismic loading such as

liquefiable soils, quick and highly sensitive clays, collapsible weakly cemented soils
2. Peats and/or highly organic clays [H > 3 m (10 ft) of peat and/or highly organic clay
where H = thickness of soil]
3. Very high plasticity clays [H > 7.5 m (25 ft) with PI > 75]
4. Very thick soft/medium stiff clays [H > 37 m (120 ft)]

Exception: When the soil properties are not known in sufficient detail to determine the
soil profile type, generally Type SD shall be used. Soil Profile Type SE need not be
assumed for all situations unless the engineer determines that Soil Profile Type SE may be
present at the site or in the event that Type SE is established by geotechnical data.

The criteria set forth in the definition for Soil Profile Type SF requiring site-specific evaluation shall
be considered, where applicable. If the site corresponds to these criteria, the site shall be classified as
Soil Profile Type SF and a site-specific evaluation shall be conducted.

4.4.2.1 vs method: Average shear wave velocity, vs shall be determined in accordance with
the following formula:

n
 di
i 1
vs  n d
(4.4-1)
 i
i 1 v si

4.4.2.2 N method: Average field standard penetration resistance (N) and average standard
penetration resistance for cohesionless soil layers (NCH). N and NCH shall be determined in accordance
with the following formulae:

n
 di
i 1
N  n d (4.4-2)
 i
i 1 N i
and
ds
N CH  n (4.4-3)
d
 i
i 1 N i

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4.4.2.3 su method: Average undrained shear strength su, shall be determined in accordance
with the following formula:
n
 dC
i 1
su  (4.4-4)
n di

s
i  1 ui

4.4.2.4 Soft clay profile, SE. The existence of a total thickness of soft clay greater than 3 m (10 ft)
shall be investigated where a soft clay layer is defined by su < 25 kPa (522 psf), wmc > 40 percent and
PI > 20. If these criteria are met, the site shall be classified as Soil Profile Type SE.

4.4.2.5 Soil profiles SC, SD and SE. Sites with Soil Profile Types SC, SD and SE shall be classified
by using one of the following three methods with vs , N and su computed in all cases as specified in
Section 4.4.2.
1. vs for the top 30 m (100 ft) (vs method).
2. N for the top 30 m (100 ft) (N method).
3. NCH for cohesionless soil layers (PI < 20) in the top 30 m (100 ft) and average su for cohesive
soil layers (PI >20) in top 30 m (100 ft) (su method).

4.4.2.6 Rock profiles, SA and SB. The shear wave velocity for medium rock, Soil Profile Type SB,
shall be either measured on site or estimated by a geotechnical engineer, engineering geologist or
seismologist for competent rock with moderate fracturing and weathering. Softer and more highly
fractured and weathered rock shall either be measured on site for shear wave velocity or classified as
Soil Profile Type SC.

The hard rock, Soil Profile Type SA, category shall be supported by shear wave velocity
measurement either on site or on profiles of the same rock type in the same formation with an equal or
greater degree of weathering and fracturing. Where hard rock conditions are known to be continuous
to a depth of 30 m (100 ft), surficial shear wave velocity measurements may be extrapolated to assess
vs. The rock categories, Soil Profile Types SA and SB, shall not be used if there is more than 3 m (10 ft)
of soil between the rock surface and the bottom of the spread footing or mat foundation.

The definitions presented herein shall apply to the upper 30 m (100 ft) of the site profile.
Profiles containing distinctly different soil layers shall be subdivided into those layers designated by a
number from 1 to ‘n’ at the bottom, where there are a total of n distinct layers in the upper 30 m (100
ft). The symbol ‘i’ ‘then refers to any one of the layers between 1 and n.

4.5 Foundation Construction in Seismic Zones 3 and 4

4.5.1 General

In Seismic Zones 3 and 4, requirements of this section in addition to other general requirements of
Chapter 18, UBC 1997 shall apply to the design and construction of foundations, foundation
components and the connection of superstructure elements thereto.

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4.5.2 Soil Capacity

The foundation shall be capable of transmitting the design base shear and overturning forces
prescribed in Section 5.30 from the structure into the supporting soil. The short-term dynamic nature
of the loads may be taken into account in establishing the soil properties.

4.5.3 Superstructure-to-Foundation Connection

The connection of superstructure elements to the foundation shall be adequate to transmit to the
foundation the forces for which the elements were required to be designed.

4.5.4 Foundation-Soil Interface

For regular buildings, the force Ft as provided in Section 5.30.5 may be omitted when determining the
overturning moment to be resisted at the foundation-soil interface.

4.5.5 Special Requirements for Piles and Caissons

4.5.5.1 General

Piles, caissons and caps shall be designed according to the provisions of Section 5.30, including the
effects of lateral displacements. Special detailing requirements as described in Section 4.5.5.2 shall
apply for a length of piles equal to 120 percent of the flexural length. Flexural length shall be
considered as a length of pile from the first point of zero lateral deflection to the underside of the pile
cap or grade beam.

4.5.5.2 Nonprestressed concrete piles and prestressed concrete piles

4.5.5.2.1 Nonprestressed concrete piles. Piles shall have transverse reinforcement meeting the
requirements of Section 7.5.

Exception: Transverse reinforcement need not exceed the amount determined by

Formula (7.5-2) in Section 7.5.4.1 for spiral or circular hoop reinforcement or by
Formula (7.5-5) in Section 7.5.4.1 for rectangular hoop reinforcement.

4.5.5.2.2 Prestressed concrete piles. Piles shall have a minimum volumetric ratio of spiral
reinforcement no less than 0.021 for 350 mm (14-inch) square and smaller piles, and 0.012 for 600
mm (24-inch) square and larger piles unless a smaller value can be justified by rational analysis.
Interpolation may be used between the specified ratios for intermediate sizes.

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Table 4.1-Soil Profile Types

Average Properties for Top 30 M (100 ft) of Soil Profile

Soil Profile Soil Profile Name/ Shear Wave Velocity, Standard Penetration Tests, Undrained Shear Strength, su
Type Generic Description vs N [or NCH for cohesionless kPa
m/sec (ft/sec) soil layers] (blows/foot) (psf)
>1,500
SA Hard Rock
(>4,920)
750 to 1,500
Rock (2,460 to 4,920)  
SB
350 to 750 >100
Very Dense Soil and
SC (1,150 to 2,460) >50 (>2,088)
Soft Rock
175 to 350 50 to 100
SD Stiff Soil Profile (575 to 1,150) 15 to 50 (1,044 to 2,088)

<50
<175
SE1 Soft Soil Profile
(<575)
<15 (<1,044)

SF Soil requiring Site-specific Evaluation. See 4.4.2

1 Soil Profile Type SE also includes any soil profile with more than 3 m (10 ft) of soft clay defined as a soil with a plasticity index, PI > 20,
wmc ≥ 40 percent and su < 25 kPa (522 psf). The Plasticity Index, PI, and the moisture content, wmc, shall be determined in accordance with
the latest ASTM procedures.

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