Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) model, the primary-level weights
corresponding to classes of factors were multiplied by secondary-level or factor weights. In this
way a geotechnical microzonation index map (GMIM) which has a continuous scale of
numerical values has been generated. The higher the geotechnical microzonation index value of
an area is, the more suitable the area as foundation for residential areas.
These continuous numerical values have been divided into suitability classes manually using the
natural breaks and result in geotechnical microzonation map with three classes: (1) less suitable
for foundation of a settlement area, (2) moderately suitable for foundation of settlement area, (3)
more suitable for foundation of settlement area (Fig 11).
Figure 11. Geotechnical microzonation map indicating different degrees of suitability of an area
for foundation of settlement area.