Problems and suggestions on site classification

Abstract

The physical meaning of site classification is not clear in the current seismic design code for buildings, at the same time, the boundary of site classification is easy to cause the divergence of design ground motion parameters. For the above problems and deficiencies, some suggestions are given. To solve the problem that the physical meaning of site classification is not clear, on the basis of the current site classification method, according to the site classification index such as the covering layer thickness and the equivalent shear wave velocity, the sites are classified by two-level: the first level classification is consistent with the current one, which classifies sites based on the fundamental period of the site and the thickness of the overburden layer; the second level classification further considers the degree of hardness of the geotechnical medium based on the first level classification, and sub-classification according to equivalent shear wave velocity. Based on the current research on seismic disaster and seismic motion characteristics of thick soft site, combined with the development of long-period constructions, the site classification is expanded from the original four categories to five categories, at the same time, the boundary of each classification, especially the boundary of class II, III and IV sites, is limited from the original open type, which can effectively avoid the problem of divergence of design ground motion parameters caused by site classification. The related research results can provide reference for site classification and determination of design ground motion parameters.