GEOTECHNICAL & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS INVESTIGATION

1. Introduction

Siuri Khola Small Hydropower Project promoted by Nyadi Group (P) Ltd and M/S Clean
Energy Consultants (P) Ltd has been deputed for detailed engineering and report
preparation works, I was assigned for the site visit and investigation works and construction
of material survey. I was further assigned for recommendation of suitable construction
materials and slope stabilization measures for the project area, on visual inspection.

This report deals with the investigation of the existing soil condition, geotechnical
characteristics of the soil of the different locations such as power house, forebay, and its
slope stability as well as the stability of the access road. It also identifies the potential source
of construction materials near the existing site, along the Marsyangdi, Nyadi and Siuri Khola
river and its near vicinity as well as the access road.

This report includes recommendations based on the visual investigation. The scope of work
also includes the identification of potential sources of construction material and their
esitmated quality and quantity. Material samples were collected from several locations and
send to the laboratory for testing.

2. Location and Description of Site

The Siuri Khola small hydroelectric project area lies in Lamjung district, Dhaulagiri Zone of
the Western Development Region and falls at 84027’00” E to 840 30’ 00” E longitude and
28020’00”N to 28022’00” latitude. It is located aerially about 22 km northeast of Besishahar
Bazaar, head quarter of Lamjung District.

3. Objective of the Work

The main objective of the investigation work was to check the quality, availability and
quantity of construction materials and its strength for construction purposes as well as the
stability of unstable slopes along the road as well as adjacent to the road alignment.

The scope of investigation comprises of digging of trial pits and collection of the samples
on the site to carry out different tests.
0 Site visit to project site and nearest potential sites for the production of
construction materials, collection, processing, stockpiling and transportation.
1 Visit project site for geotechnical assessment, slope stability especially on
headworks and powerhouse sites, powerhouse and find potential construction

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 materials nearby areas.
2 Survey for quarry sites for suitability of material, quantity and quality
accessibility and reliability aspects for the production of required quality constructions
materials for the project.
3 Carryout/ supervise the construction material testing at lab and production of
relevant test report for future reference.
4 Interpret and analyze the test result for suitability and quantification of
construction material required for the project.
5 Provide other relevant geotechnical input required for the stabilization of
slope, landslide and damming of the river.
6 Suggest the slope stability measures required at the critical identified areas in
the project and suggest protection measures.
7 Suggest material production process sufficient for the costing of the material
for construction purposes.
8 Prepare report with relevant details and explanation of tests, recommended
sites, process and quantification.

4. Sub-grade Investigation

4.1 Trial Pitting

At different sections along the Nyadi river small pockets of sands were available. But most of
them were with least quantity. Such location sites were neglected because of its quantity and
even quality. At the river bank of Nyadi, there exists some amount of sand deposit in some
pocket area. It was just on the right bank of the Nyadi river where the existing power house
is proposed.

The trial pit was excavated of 0.5m X 0.5m X 0.6m size, for the search of sand. About 15 to
25 Kg of sample was collected for geotechnical testing for its quality. The visual classification
and the thickness of all the soil layers were noted.

5. Construction Materials Investigation

5.1 Sources and Estimated Quantity of Construction Materials

During the study construction materials (boulders, cobble, gravel and sand) quarries were
identified. Samples were collected and brought to the laboratory for testing. A list of quarries
and material is listed below in Table 1.

Table 1: Sources of Construction Materials

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 Description of Estimated
Location Remarks
material quantity (m3)
For aggregates
River bed colluvial only. About 10
Marsyangdi River
aggregate and >4500 m3 km away from the
boulders. power house
area.
~300m3 of gravel
River bed colluvial Presence of fine
and
Power house area aggregate with few sands along the
very few amount of
amount of sand bank of the river
sand
River bed colluvial
Nyadi River D-
aggregate with very ~300m3 2-Samples
Chautara
few amount of sand
Bholang Khola About 20 km
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(Quarry site for Sand quarry site >5000m away from the
sand) site

The information given in tables above are indicative only. The Contractor should satisfy
himself of the availability, suitability and quantities of materials prior to bidding. The
Contractor should also confirm that the extraction of materials at these sources will be
socially and environmentally acceptable.

5.2 Source of Water

The sources of water is abundant at the site. The site is at the confluence of Siuri and Nyadi
as well as in Siuri river, so there is no problem of water. The quality of water present at the
site should be tested before it application in construction works.

The quality, quantity and availability of material such as gravel, sand and stones were found
to be satisfactory and can be obtained using proper extraction methodology.

Masonry stone and stone for Gabion wall can be obtained from the rock bed alongside the
road, provided that the extraction of stone is done in an environmentally safe way with the
approval of the Engineer.

6. Laboratory Testing

Soil and aggregate samples were brought to Kathmandu and tests were carried out at
Central Materials Testing Laboratory, Pulchowk campus. Similarly, laboratory testing of
aggregate and sand samples collected from the various sources were done for following
tests:
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 1. Gradation
2. Aggregate crushing value (ACV)
3. Aggregate Impact Value (AIV)
4. Aggregate Abrasion Value (LAA)

The laboratory test report is attached with this report.

7. Geotechnical Stability Survey

The study was carried out at the site along the stretch of the road alignment, powerhouse
site area, camp area and at headwork area. The soil and rock properties of hill side, valley
side and along the alignment of the road based on visual inspection were noticed. In
addition, various informations were collected including settlement, seepage condition and
vegetation along the alignment and at the adjacent area.

Though the road is not completely opened, only few stretches of the road at various sections
are opened, the main causes of occurring of failures are due to cutting of slope for road
construction, rock weathering, water surface and sub-surface movement of water.

There is no landslide along the right bank of the Siuri Khola aroundthe project area except
some old landslide on the left bank of the Siuri Khola. This landslide is persently does not
affect to the project area. At the powerhouse area near the confluence of Siuri and Nyadi
river, there exists a huge landslide, which is still in dormant state. At the upper section of the
landslide there exists a huge depression and cracks at various sections. At the upper section
due to vegetation (jungle area) it seems to be stabilized. The historical status of the landslide
area must be studied in the geological point of view for further investigation.

During the site visit, at section near about 2-3km chainage, slope failure section was found.
At the site gabion work was carried out. As per site condition, the main cause for the failure
of the slope seems to be the storm water. During the rainy season the storm water
channelised through that section and failure has occurred. Just nearby the site, another
such scenario seems to be developed.

8. Geotechnical Stability Analysis & Mitigation Measures

The slope stability analysis must be done for the sections which are felt to be more
prominent towards instability.

The mitigative measures for the seepage and unstable zones can be as follows:

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1. Surface water as well as groundwater management work should be done initially. For
well management of the ground water and surface water, topographic survey of the
slide area should be carried out and the seepage, active spring area should be located.
These seepage and springs should be channelized.

2. It will be better to make catch drain at the crown part of the slide so that storm water
could not penetrate in the slide zone which will help to reduce the groundwater
problem.

3. To solve the problem of the groundwater at the slide, sub subsurface drain like
horizontal drain, french drain should be constructed.

4. For the landslide at the powerhouse section detailed geological study should be carried
out for proper treatment.

9. General Recommendations

Although different specifications for “Building, Road and Bridges” provide the general
guideline to be followed during construction, the following points also should be considered.

1. We understand that the location of the power house is just on the bank of
Nyadi River. The material deposition by the river are basically alluvial but there exists
the colluvial materials that have transported by the river at the confluence of the
Nyadi and Siuri river. And the colluvial material deposit are not of use in production
of concrete construction works.

2. Construction materials along the river bed and its adjacent are not sufficient.
Construction materials must be carried out from different locations such as from
Marsyangdi river and if new source of quarry sites are found during.

3. From the laboratory results it is clear that construction materials are of

satisfactory quality. At some sections of the Nyadi river the materials are of low
quality which cannot be used for the concrete purpose.

4. Though the values obtained from the test for materials brought from the site
for are found to be satisfactory, hence the aggregates can be used to produce
concrete.

5. It is strongly recommended to redo the further test before the use of materials
in construction works from the site stated in the report.