Screening Phase (Tier 1)
3.8 Geologic Site Hazards and Foundations Checklist
This Geologic Site Hazards and Foundations Checklist shall be completed where required by
Table 3-2.
Each of the evaluation statements on this checklist shall be marked Compliant (C), Non-compliant
(NC), or Not Applicable (N/A) for a Tier 1 Evaluation. Compliant statements identify issues that are
acceptable according to the criteria of this standard, while non-compliant statements identify issues
that require further investigation. Certain statements may not apply to the buildings being evaluated.
For non-compliant evaluation statements, the design professional may choose to conduct further
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investigation using the corresponding Tier 2 Evaluation procedure; corresponding section numbers
are in parentheses following each evaluation statement.
Geologic Site Hazards
The following statements shall be completed for buildings in levels of high or moderate seismicity.
C NC N/A LIQUEFACTION: Liquefaction-susceptible, saturated, loose granular soils that could jeopardize
the building's seismic performance shall not exist in the foundation soils at depths within 50 feet
under the building for Life Safety and Immediate Occupancy. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.1.1)
C NC N/A SLOPE FAILURE: The building site shall be sufficiently remote from potential earthquake-
induced slope failures or rockfails to be unaffected by such failures or shall be capable of
accommodating any predicted movements without failure. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7. 1 .2)
C NC N/A SURFACE FAULT RUPTURE: Surface fault rupture and surface displacement at the building site
is not anticipated. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.1.3)
Condition of Foundations
The following statement shall be completed for all Tier 1 building evaluations.
C NC N/A FOUNDATION PERFORMANCE: There shall be no evidence of excessive foundation movement
such as settlement or heave that would affect the integrity or strength of the structure. (Tier 2:
Sec. 4.7.2.1)
The following statement shall be completed for buildings in levels of high or moderate seismicity being evaluated to the
Immediate Occupancy Performance Level.
C NC N/A DETERIORATION: There shall not be evidence that foundation elements have deteriorated due to
corrosion, sulfate attack, material breakdown, or other reasons in a manner that would affect the
integrity or strength of the structure. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.2.2)
Capacity of Foundations
The following statement shall be completed for all Tier 1 building evaluations.
C NC N/A POLE FOUNDATIONS: Pole foundations shall have a minimum embedment depth of 4 feet for
Life Safety and Immediate Occupancy. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.3. 1 )
The following statements shall be completed for buildings in levels of moderate seismicity being evaluated to the
Immediate Occupancy Performance Level and for buildings in levels of high seismicity.
C NC N/A OVERTURNING: The ratio of the horizontal dimension of the lateral-force-resisting system at the
foundation level to the building height (base/height) shall be greater than Q.6Sa. (Tier 2:
Sec. 4.7.3.2)
ASCE 31-03 Seismic Evaluation of Existing Buildings 3-119
Screening Phase (Tier 1)
C NC N/A TIES BETWEEN FOUNDATION ELEMENTS: The foundation shall have ties adequate to resist
seismic forces where footings, piles, and piers are not restrained by beams, slabs, or soils classified
as Class A, B, or C. (Section 3.5.2.3.1, Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.3.3)
C NC N/A DEEP FOUNDATIONS: Piles and piers shall be capable of transferring the lateral forces between
the structure and the soil. This statement shall apply to the Immediate Occupancy Performance
Level only. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.3.4)
C NC N/A SLOPING SITES: The difference in foundation embedment depth from one side of the building to
another shall not exceed one story in height. This statement shall apply to the Immediate
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Occupancy Performance Level only. (Tier 2: Sec. 4.7.3.5)
3 -120 Seismic Evaluation of Existing Buildings ASCE 31-03
