A building site has been classified as having Type F soil (poor soil requiring site-specific analysis). According to CBC seismic provisions, what additional requirement must be met before construction can begin?
Correct Answer
B) Conduct site-specific seismic response analysis
CBC requires site-specific seismic response analysis for Type F soils, which include soils vulnerable to potential failure or collapse under seismic loading, such as liquefiable soils and highly plastic clays.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CBC requires a site-specific seismic response analysis before construction can begin on Site Class F soils. Standard spectral response values used for other site classes cannot reliably characterize the amplification behavior of these problematic soils (liquefiable layers, highly plastic clays, peats, sensitive soils). A geotechnical engineer must model actual site response under seismic loading to develop appropriate design parameters.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Increase foundation depth by 50%
Increasing foundation depth by 50% is an oversimplified rule-of-thumb with no basis in CBC's Site Class F requirements. Foundation depth alone does not address the seismic response amplification that makes Site Class F soils dangerous.
Option C: Install deep pile foundations only
Installing deep pile foundations only may ultimately be required based on the site-specific analysis, but it is not the first mandatory step. The analysis must come before any foundation decisions — you need the data to determine the appropriate foundation system.
Option D: Use only mat foundations
Using only mat foundations is not what CBC specifies. Mat foundations may be inappropriate for many Site Class F conditions. Again, the foundation type is determined after the required site-specific analysis, not prescribed categorically by the site class designation itself.
Memory Technique
Site Class F = 'First Analyze.' The F stands for both the soil class and the First step: perform a site-specific seismic analysis before anything else.
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