1613.3.4.1.1 Steps for classifying a site.
BC § 1613.3.4.1.1
The following steps shall be performed during the classification of a site: 1. Check for the four categories of Site Class F requiring site-specific evaluation. If the site corresponds to any of these categories, classify the site as Site Class F and conduct a site-specific evaluation according to ASCE 7 and the requirements of Section 1815.
2.Check for the existence of a total thickness of soft clay > 10 feet (3048 mm) where a soft clay layer is defined by: s u < 500 psf (24 kPa), w ≥ 40 percent and PI > 20. If these criteria are satisfied, classify the site as Site Class E.
3.Categorize the site using one of the following three methods with v s , N, or s u and computed in all cases as specified. 3.1. v s for the top 100 feet (30 480 mm) ( v s method). 3.2. N for the top 100 feet (30 480 mm) (N method). 3.3. N ch for cohesionless soil layers (PI < 20) in the top 100 feet (30 480 mm) and average, s u , for cohesive soil layers (PI > 20) in the top 100 feet (30 480 mm) (s u method).
