UMANG AYER

PUR074BCE094

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

IOE PURWANCHALCAMPUS,DHARAN

TASK1:
Summary report on the field work
INTRODUCTION
Our Geological tour on the 4th of Shrawan was arranged by our Geology subject teacher Mr.
Champak Babu under the support of our respected Head of Department Er. Yuman Shakya along with
Cr. Prajwal Bhandari in order to accumulate knowledge about the geological structures ,their
engineering significance and to analyze the faiure mechanism by Sterographic projection .

OBJECTIVES THE STUDY TOUR

1.To underestand different types of failure (plane failure,wedge failure, and toppling failure) that
generally occurs in a rock mass.

2. To study about the rock slope stability along the under construction highway.

3. To study and analyze discontuinities data for failure mechanism by stereographic projection/ using
Stereonet.
4. To understand how to use compass for measuring angles.

STUDY AREA
 Gupha Pokhari is a natural pond situated at the height of 2,890 metres (9,480 ft) above the sea
levels situated in Gufa VDC of Sankhuwasabha District of Nepal.  We get into our bus at 9am and
reached basantpur at 4pm. It took almost 8-9hrs to
reach deurali-gupha pokhari highway from dharan.
Deurali-guphapokhari highway is almost 100km away Location Guphapokhari VDC, Sankhuwasabha District

from dharan. We stayed in HOTEL YAK. At that

nignt we get knowledge about Stereographic 27.285098°N 87.505739°ECoordinates:  27.285098°N 87.505739°E
Coordinates
projections . Next morning we get ready at 5am to
reach our study area.It took almost 2-3 hrs to reach
deurali-gupha pokhari highway on our foot.
Lake type Natural Pond

Primary inflows Natural Spring

Basin countries Nepal

Max. depth 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)

Surface elevation 2,890 metres (9,480 ft)

METHODOLOGY
Discuss on stereographic projections:
In geometry, the stereographic projection is a particular mapping (function) that projects a sphere onto
a plane. The projection is defined on the entire sphere, except at one point: the projection point. Where it
is defined, the mapping is smooth and bijective. It is conformal, meaning that it preserves angles at which
curves meet. It is neither isometric nor area-preserving: that is, it preserves neither distances nor the areas
of figures.
Intuitively, then, the stereographic projection is a way of picturing the sphere as the plane, with some
inevitable compromises. Because the sphere and the plane appear in many
areas of mathematics and its applications, so does the stereographic
projection; it finds use in diverse fields including complex
analysis, cartography, geology, and photography. In practice, the projection is
carried out by computer or by hand using a special kind of graph paper called
a stereographic net, shortened to stereonet, or Wulff net.
Fig1:3D illusion of a stereographic projection

from
the north pole onto a plane below the sphere

Kinematic analysis of different rock types of slope failure:

Kinematic analysis is a method used to analyze the potential for the various modes of rock slope failures
(plane, wedge, toppling failures), that occur due to the presence of unfavorably oriented discontinuities
(Figure 2). Discontinuities are geologic breaks such as joints, faults, bedding planes, foliation, and shear
zones that can potentially serve as failure planes. Kinematic analysis is based on Markland’s test which is
described in Hoek and Bray (1981). According to the Markland’s test, a plane failure is likely to occur
when a discontinuity dips in the same direction (within 20 0) as the slope face, at an angle gentler than the
slope angle but greater than the friction angle along the failure plane (Hoek and Bray, 1981) (Figure 2). A
wedge failure may occur when the line of intersection of two discontinuities, forming the wedge-shaped
block, plunges in the same direction as the slope face and the plunge angle is less than wwthe slope angle
but greater than the friction angle along the planes of failure (Hoek and Bray, 1981) (Figure 2). A
toppling failure may result when a steeply dipping discontinuity is parallel to the slope face (within 30 0)
and dips into it (Hoek and Bray, 1981). According to Goodman (1989), a toppling failure involves inter-
layer slip movement. The requirement for the occurrence of a toppling failure according to Goodman
(1989) is “If layers have an angle of friction Φj, slip will occur only if the direction of the applied
compression makes an angle greater than the friction angle with the normal to the layers. Thus, a pre-
condition for interlayer slip is that the normals be inclined less steeply than a line inclined Φj above the
plane of the slope. If the dip of the layers is σ, then toppling failure with a slope inclined α degrees with
the horizontal can occur if (90 - σ) + Φj < α”.

Fig2: Slope failures

associated with unfavorable
orientation of discontinuities

WEDGE FAILURE:

The wedge failure

of rock slope is
probably the most common type of failure in rock sliding . The tetrahedron wedge failure can occur in
one of following way :
  by sliding on both planes in a direction along the line of intersection
 by sliding along one plane only with separation across the other plane
 by rotational sliding on one plane and separation across the other plane
 by progressive raveling of rock along planes formed by the wedge in highly jointed
rock
In most studies presented so far, the main efforts have been made so to consider several different
methods to analyse the wedge failure. The stereographic method is first presented by Hoek et al.
(1973) and it is a close – form method by (Low and Einstein, 1992). The limiting equilibrium
method is the most popular approach applied in investigation. Despite of the surcharge load
involved in stability of rock slope against plane failure that was presented by Shukla et al. (2009),
the wedge failure of rock slope has not received proper attention until recently. It is the purpose
of this thesis to analyses the effect of surcharge load on the rock slope against wedge failure by
developing an expression for the factor of safety through the anchoring system. The parametric
study will be carried out by incorporating most of the practically occurring destabilizing forces as
well as an external stabilizing force.

TOPLING FAILURE:

INTRODUCTION

Toppling failures can occur in slopes cut in rock with regularly spaced fractures which strike parallel to
the slope, and dip into the face. This contrasts with sliding failures which occur when the geological
structure dips out of the face. Although the stability of toppling failures can be studied using numerical
models (Burman (1971); Byrne (1974); Cundall (1971)) and physical models (Barton (1971); Soto
(1974)), these analyses can be time consuming and the required facilities may not be readily available.
However, Goodman and Bray's (Goodman and Bray (1976)) limit equilibrium analysis for multiblock
failures now permits the analysis of toppling failures, and the selection of appropriate stabilization
measures, to be carried out readily. 

MECHANISM OF TOPPLING FAILURES

Toppling movement occurs in slopes where a regularly spaced set of joints or bedding planes strike
parallel, or nearly parallel, to the slope face and dip at a steep angle into the face. This geological
structure forms a series of tall, narrow slabs. If the dimensions of a slab are such that its centre of gravity
acts outside the base of the slab, then there is a potential for the slab to topple. This criteria is given by the
Goodman and Bray (1976) relationship. 

PLANE FAILURE:
In stratified sedimentary and meta-sedimentary rock formations ‘plane mode’ of rock failure is very
common. The plane failure occurs when a structural discontinuity plane such as; bedding plane, fault
plane or preferred orientations of a joint set dips or daylight towards the valley or excavation at an angle
smaller than the slope angle and greater than the angle of friction of the discontinuity surface. The
stability of the slope, having plane mode of failure, depends on the geometry, rock type, potential failure
plane characteristics, groundwater conditions, dynamic loading and the surcharge conditions. The slope
may demonstrate these conditions in a simple uniform manner or there may be complex conditions owing
to variability in the slope geometry and heterogeneity in the slope material. The stability of the slope,
having plane mode of failure, can be assessed by different methods which can be broadly classified
as conventional and numerical methods. Conventional methods include; kinematic methods, empirical
methods, limit equilibrium and probabilistic methods, whereas numerical methods include continuum,
discontinuum and hybrid methods. Each of these methods has their own advantage and limitations owing
to the slope conditions, application requirement and capability of an expert.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Joint Number Strike Dip direction Dip amount Remarks

1 S750E/N750W N150E 390 J1
2 N250W/S250E N650E 820 J2
3 N500E/S500W S400W 600 J3
Hill Slope N500E/S500W S400W 600 H
RESULT

From above stereonet , we obtained folling results:

Dip of J1 and h are in same direction , so may be plane failure.
Strike difference between J1 and h is 250 which is greater than 200,so no plane failure.
J2 and h are also in same direction,so toppling failure.
Strike difference between J2 and H ia 150which is less than 200,so may be plane failure.
Dip amount of J2 is greater than fip amout of hill slope ,so plane failure.
Intersection of joint doesnt lie in the crictical region ,so there is no wedge failure.

CONCLUSION
Thus from the two day geological tour to the Gupha pokhari , we realized that the engineering geology
has wide scope in civil engineering field and is very much important in both theoretical and practical
point of view. Since this region has various geological features, different types of mass movement
activities like slope failure, landslides, and a under construction road, it has proved that it is oned of the
best site for our geological studies as per our objectives and we were able to explore it to its maximum
depth though to explore any geologically important place to totally is impossible. We are now ablle to
identify different types of mass movement activities ,its cause and nature ,slope stability measurement
stability analysis through stereonet anylisis.

Engineering geological tour for a civil engineer is one of the most essential aspect for his skill, practical
knowledge about the field and in overall career development.Inspite of this,this Geological tour to Tinjure
can be more fruitful. We were not able to achieve all our objectives as per our syllabus. We were unable
to visit an underconstruction hydropower site and dam due to some difficulties like weather condition,
transportation difficulties, time limit and much importantly the interest of students towards the natures
beauty instead of visiting hydropower sites.However, we enjoyed our tour to at that place a lot.

TASK:2

#Write an essay about any one of the Geological hazards and their
mitigation measures in context of Nepal.
A geological hazard is one of the several types of adverse geological conditions capable of causing
damage of loss of property and lives. These hazards consist of sudden phenomena and slow phenomena.
Geologic hazards are typically evaluated by engineering geologists who are educated and trained in
interpretation of landforms and earth process, earth-structure interaction, and in geologic hazard
mitigation.

Nepal is exposed to multiple hazards that have tectonic, climatic and geological causes or their combined
effect. High topographical variation, highly weathered and deformed rocks in the mountains, intense
erosion and bank scouring by the high gradient rivers, and extreme precipitation patterns in the Siwaliks
are the reasons for high hazard of flood and debris flows in Nepal. In addition to this, global warming has
resulted high rate of glacial melting and formation of glacial lakes. Many of these lakes are in danger of
breaching that has intensified the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) hazard as well. Of all the disasters
reported in Nepal, floods are the most devastating in terms of the number of deaths that occur and the
damages they cause. A study by UNDP ranked Nepal as 30th country with respect to relative
vulnerability to flood (UNDP/ BCPR, 2004). Of the total death by any type of natural disaster in 2010,
29.02% were by flood and 24.55% were by landslides; and 71.35% of the total affected families by any
type of disasters in 2010 are by flood (DWIDP, 2011). In terms of the numbers of people affected by all
types of natural disasters, flood is the main disaster affecting 68.3% of the total affected people between
1971 to 2007 (NSET, 2007). Terai and some hill districts show the highest number of disaster-deaths and
injuries although this impact is also spread almost to all VDCs/municipalities of the country. In the last
decade between 2001 and 2008, floods and landslides killed 1,673 people, affected 221,372 families,
killed 33,365 livestock, destroyed 52,007 houses and washed away or destroyed over 22,000 ha of land.
The monetary value of damages due to floods for 2001-2008 was about US$ 130 million (about 0.1% of
GDP), according to government data (MoHA, 2010).

The flood has most devastating effect in the Terai of Nepal. Nepal’s entire Siwalik zone is highly
degraded because of the weak rocks, unpredictable extreme precipitation and the high rate of
deforestation as well as encroachment. As most of the river basins in Terai originate from the Siwaliks,
they carry lots of sediments from degraded Siwaliks and deposit them to the Terai plain. Many
communities in the Terai are well below the river bed due to sedimentation and they got inundated in
rainy season every year. Since a majority of Nepal’s agriculture and forestry resources are dependent on
Siwaliks and Terai, climate induced floods are causing significant human and economic devastation and
such devastation will further accelerates in the future as the effect of climate change is projected
significantly higher in these areas. At the individual and organizational level, there are capacity deficits
on the anticipated distribution and effects of potential flood in the context of climate change. On
analyzing the monthly rainfall data for the period of 30 years from 1976-2005 (166 meteorological
stations) throughout Nepal, it is found that most part of the country, including the eastern Terai and
Siwaliks, experienced increasing annual trend of premonsoon, monsoon, post monsoon and winter
precipitation (Practical Action, 2009). Frequency analysis of the extreme rainfall event trends for the
same duration reveals that the foothill of the Siwaliks, which is the main source of many rivers in the
Terai, received the highest intensive rainfalls for 10, 20, 50 and 100 years of return periods.

The upstream and downstream of the river basins are closely related for flood to occur and its intensity to
amplify. The interventions that are meant to prevent floods and mitigate its effect, shall therefore link the
upstream and downstream through cause and effect analysis approach. Past interventions on flood risk
reduction lack the link between the upstream and downstream through cause and effect analysis and
proper communications between upstream and downstream communities. The issues of flood mitigation
and community based early warning systems are closely linked to an existing requirement of making the
Disaster Management systems and policies in Nepal. Current disaster management policies, risk reduction
and preparedness plans in Nepal address recurrent natural hazards in the country through static and
reactive approach, but are not yet geared to deal with the emerging climate change induced flood threats.
In this context, a new approach of flood risk reduction is recently prepared after wide consultations with
governmental and non-governmental stakeholders as well as affected communities. This approach
integrate all the activities including upstream downstream linkage, watershed management considering
extreme precipitation in Siwaliks, information centers and alternate economic activities in replacement of
the traditional approach of treating flood risk separately for the upstream and downstream. Proper
communications between upstream and downstream communities as a means of early warning systems
can help to minimize the loss from the flood to great extent. Without these components in place, the
impact of floods could be very serious in Nepal especially in southern Terai. This approach has identified
different activities for the flood risk reduction in the Terai of Nepal. For the upstream, Siwalik
conservation through watershed management, bio-engineering and alternative economic activities to the
surrounding communities to stop deforestation and encroachment has been identified. This will stop the
land degradation and sediment production during extreme precipitations. In the middle stream, river
training and check dams for erosion control has been identified as suitable method of risk reduction.
Embankment construction, safe escape route, shelter houses, water level monitoring systems and
formation of information centers have been identified for risk reduction in downstream. Low cost and
easy to operate early warning system has been identified to be applied in upstream, middle stream and
downstream. Flood risk reduction through this approach is under the implementation phase in Terai of
eastern Nepal.

TASK:3
#Discuss briefly on the Geomechanical classification of Rock mass
(RMR).
Bieniawski (1976) published the details of a rock mass classification called the Geomechanics
Classification or the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) system. Over the years, this system has been successively
refined as more case records have been examined and the reader should be aware that Bieniawski has
made significant changes in the ratings assigned to different parameters. The discussion which follows is
based upon the 1989 version of the classification (Bieniawski, 1989). Both this version and the 1976
version deal with estimating the strength of rock masses.
The following six parameters are used to classify a rock mass using the RMR system:

1. Uniaxial compressive strength of rock material.

2. Rock Quality Designation (RQD).

3. Spacing of discontinuities.

4. Condition of discontinuities.

5. Groundwater conditions.

6. Orientation of discontinuities.

In applying this classification system, the rock mass is divided into a number of structural regions and
each region is classified separately. The boundaries of the structural regions usually coincide with a major
structural feature such as a fault or with a change in rock type. In some cases, significant changes in
discontinuity spacing or characteristics, within the same rock type, may necessitate the division of the
rock mass into a number of small structural regions. The Rock Mass Rating system is presented in Table
below, giving the ratings for each of the six parameters listed above. These ratings are summed to give a
value of RMR. The following example illustrates the use of these tables to arrive at an RMR value. A
tunnel is to be driven through slightly weathered granite with a dominant joint set dipping at 60o against
the direction of the drive. Index testing and logging of diamond drilled core give typical Point-load
strength index values of 8 MPa and average RQD values of 70%. The slightly rough and slightly
weathered joints with a separation of < 1 mm, are spaced at 300 mm. Tunnelling conditions are
anticipated to be wet.

Advantage of RMR
1. Rock mass strength is evaluated by RMR system.

2. It works well to classify rock mass quality.

3. RMR system is used in many projects as one of the indicators to define the support or excavation
design.

DISADVANTAGES:

1.A great deal of judgment is needed in the application of rock mass classification to support design.
2. RMR value doesn’t give us rock mass properties.

3.These give only empirical relation & have nothing to do with rock engineering classification in its true
sense.
Fig:Rock Mass Rating System