Soil Site Classification According to FEMA

Seismic hazard due to ground shaking can be estimated (According to FEMA 310 and FEMA 368 NEHRP Recommendation) by analyzing the location of the building with respect to causative faults, the regional and site-specific geologic characteristics, and a selected Earthquake Hazard Level. 

However, other seismic hazards could exist at the building site that could damage the building regardless of its ability to resist ground shaking. These hazards include fault rupture, liquefaction or otherc shaking-induced soil failures, landslides, and inundation from offsite effects such as dam failure or tsunami.

SI NO	Soil Site Classification	Description
1	Site class A	Hard rock with measured shear wave velocity greater than 5,000 ft/sec.
2	Site class B	Rock with shear wave velocity between 2,500 and 5,000 ft/sec
3	Site class C	Very dense soil or soft rock [velocity between 1,200 and 2,500 ft/sec]
4	Site class D	Stiff soil [velocity between 600 and 1,200 ft/sec]
5	Site class E	Soil profile with velocity less than 600 ft/sec
6	Site class F	Soils require site-specific evaluations [liquefiable, peats, high plasticity, or very thick soft/medium clays.