Stability assessment of Himalayan road cut slopes along National Highway 58, India

Abstract

Himalaya is one of the most tectonically and seismically active mountain chains in the world having complex geological and geotechnical conditions. The Himalayan region experiences frequent slope failure posed due to various natural and anthropogenic causes. Slope instability issues have consequent effects on the socio-economic development of the people and the region in a large scale. In the present study, stability analysis of vulnerable road cut slopes along NH-58 from Rishikesh to Devprayag in the Lesser Himalayas has been conducted. Critical slopes were identified by considering the geological and the geotechnical complexities within the region. Rock mass characterisation techniques have been employed for slope stability assessment. Rock mass rating (RMR), slope mass rating (SMR) and continuous slope mass rating (CSMR) methods have been applied to evaluate different stability levels of rock mass along the highway. Spatial variation of stability classes using RMR, SMR and CSMR techniques has been analysed on geographic information system (GIS) tool. Kinematic analysis technique was also employed to identify the different modes of structurally controlled failures in jointed rock mass. Accordingly remedial measures have been suggested to improve slope stability.