KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

INTERNSHIP REPORT ON
NUPCHE-LIKHU HYDROPOWER PROJECT (57.5 MW)
PREPARED BY:
Arjun Baral
REG: 022499-17
UNG, Civil engineering 4th year
REPORT SUBMITTED TO:
Internal Supervisor: Jenisha Dumaru
Coordinator: Santosh Chaudhary
Department of civil engineering, KU

Mr. Sabin Pahari

External supervisor
Vision Energy and Power Private Limited
New Baneshwor Kathmandu, Nepal

Date: 2021/11/17
Acknowledgement
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Department of Civil Engineering
for providing this opportunity to gain practical knowledge from site and giving chance to utilize
theoretical knowledge into practical work. I would also like to thank Head of the Department
Dr. Shyam Sundar Khadka and intern coordinator Er. Santosh Chaudhary for helping with
necessary resources, detail and documents. I equally thanks Er. Jenisha Dumeru for supervising
internship.
Similarly I would like to thanks to Vision Energy & Power Pvt. Ltd. for providing great
opportunity and platform to enhance my professional skills. I would also like to express thanks to
project manager Er Sabin Pahari and residential engineer Er, Puskar Shrestha for helping and
providing with necessary resources and information about project and allowing me to visit, inspect
and work in site. I am equally greatful to the Mr. Rabin Bhattrai, Mr. Purushottam Naupane,
Pratik Bhatta, Bijay Dhakal sir for giving their valuable time to supervise, providing
information, suggestion and explaining every detail in project.

II
Abstract

III
Symbol and abbreviation

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Table of Contents
Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................... II
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... III
Symbol and abbreviation .............................................................................................................. IV
List of figures ............................................................................................................................. VIII
List of tables ................................................................................................................................... X
1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 General Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1
1.1.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1.2 About project ............................................................................................................ 1
1.1.3 Sailent features of Nupche-likhu hydropower .......................................................... 3
1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Scopes............................................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Limitation ......................................................................................................................... 5
2 LITERATURE SURVEY AND TECHNOLOGY SURVEY ................................................ 6
2.1 Location of project and accessibility................................................................................ 6
2.2 Physical features of project loaction ................................................................................ 7
2.3 River source and catchment of project ............................................................................. 7
2.4 Project component ............................................................................................................ 8
2.4.1 Head work ................................................................................................................. 8
2.4.2 Underground work .................................................................................................... 9
2.5 Face mapping ................................................................................................................. 12
2.6 Q-value ........................................................................................................................... 12
3 DETAIL OF INTERNSHIP PROJECT ACTIVITY ............................................................ 13
3.1 Access road .................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.1 Access road to surge shaft....................................................................................... 14
3.1.2 Access road to Nupche head work .......................................................................... 14
3.1.3 Access road to Likhu head work ............................................................................. 14
3.1.4 Work process on excavation of Likhu Head work.................................................. 14
3.2 Vertical shaft .................................................................................................................. 17
3.2.1 Process involved in excavation of vertical shaft /tunnel ......................................... 18
3.2.2 Slope protection ...................................................................................................... 18

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 3.2.3 Portal preparation .................................................................................................... 19
3.2.4 Drilling .................................................................................................................... 19
3.2.5 Loading and Blasting .............................................................................................. 20
3.2.6 Mocking .................................................................................................................. 20
3.2.7 Surveying and determining pull length. .................................................................. 21
3.2.8 Face mapping and determine Rock support type .................................................... 21
3.2.9 Support work ........................................................................................................... 23
3.3 Slope protection work in Audit tunnel ........................................................................... 27
3.3.1 Work on slope protection in audit tunnel ................................................................ 27
3.3.2 Deviation and corrective measure ........................................................................... 28
3.4 Penstock tunnel .............................................................................................................. 29
3.4.1 Steps for excavation of penstock tunnel ................................................................. 29
3.4.2 Slope protection work ............................................................................................. 29
3.4.3 Drilling, loading and blasting ................................................................................. 29
3.4.4 Mocking .................................................................................................................. 29
3.4.5 Face mapping and surveying .................................................................................. 29
3.4.6 Support work ........................................................................................................... 31
3.5 Laboratory work and quality control .............................................................................. 33
3.5.1 Concrete Mix design/ trial mix ............................................................................... 33
3.5.2 Slump test................................................................................................................ 34
3.5.3 Compressive strength test ....................................................................................... 34
4 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 35
5 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................... 36
6 ANNEX................................................................................................................................. 37

VI
VII
List of figures
Figure 1: Nupche likhu hydropower ............................................................................................... 2
Figure 2: General layout prepared using QGIS .............................................................................. 2
Figure 3: project Boundary in Umakunda ...................................................................................... 6
Figure 4 Location of project ........................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5: catchment of LIkhu HW and Nupche HW extracted using QGIS .................................. 7
Figure 6: intake, gravel trap, approach culvert ............................................................................... 8
Figure 7: settling basin (LIkhu) ...................................................................................................... 9
Figure 8: penstock tunnel .............................................................................................................. 10
Figure 9: Cutting of large tree ....................................................................................................... 14
Figure 10: removable of trees that can be removed by excavator ................................................ 14
Figure 11: maintaining 1V: 0.3H side slope ................................................................................. 15
Figure 12: Excavation of road....................................................................................................... 15
Figure 13: Slope protection by Gabion Wall ................................................................................ 15
Figure 14: Portal for vertical shaft ................................................................................................ 17
Figure 15: weep hole at vertical shaft ........................................................................................... 18
Figure 16: Drill pattern in vertical shaft ....................................................................................... 19
Figure 17: loading of explosive .................................................................................................... 19
Figure 18: Marking and drilling in vertical shaft .......................................................................... 19
Figure 19: Mocking....................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 20: sealing entrance of vertical shaft before blasting ........................................................ 20
Figure 21: Sample of survey and point verification in vertical shaft ............................................ 21
Figure 22: sample of rock face mapping report ............................................................................ 22
Figure 23: support type based on rock class ................................................................................. 24
Figure 24: rock bolting.................................................................................................................. 25
Figure 25: manual batching of shotcrete ....................................................................................... 26
Figure 26: wire mesh, weep holes................................................................................................. 27
Figure 27: Shotcreting in audit tunnel .......................................................................................... 27
Figure 28: removing clay and soil particles from crack ............................................................... 28
Figure 29: large crack in rock ....................................................................................................... 28
Figure 30: loading of explosive .................................................................................................... 29
Figure 31: drilling on Penstock tunnel .......................................................................................... 29
Figure 32: sample report on facemapping of penstock tunnel Unit II .......................................... 30
Figure 33: Support type in tunnel based on Q-value .................................................................... 31
Figure 34: Assemble of Steel ribs ................................................................................................. 32
Figure 35: curing with heating arrangement ................................................................................. 33
Figure 36: project camp ................................................................................................................ 37
Figure 37: curing tank with heating arrangement ......................................................................... 37
Figure 38: oven ............................................................................................................................. 38
Figure 39: compressive strength testing machine ......................................................................... 38
Figure 40: cube for testing 28 day compressive test ..................................................................... 38
Figure 41: mix design (M25) ........................................................................................................ 39
Figure 42: Mix design M35 .......................................................................................................... 40

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Figure 43: shotcrete machine ........................................................................................................ 41
Figure 44: jack hammer ................................................................................................................ 41
Figure 45: crawler drilling machine .............................................................................................. 41
Figure 46: slope protection work .................................................................................................. 42
Figure 47 : portal for penstock tunnel ........................................................................................... 42

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List of tables
Table 1: coordinate of major structure ............................................................................................ 2
Table 2: Salient features of Nupuche-Likhu Hydropower Project ................................................. 3
Table 3: length of HRT tunnel ...................................................................................................... 11
Table 4: Work progress ................................................................................................................. 13
Table 5 : Access road .................................................................................................................... 13

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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Introduction
1.1.1 Background
Kathmandu University offers internship for 8th semester student as academic curriculum for the
stream of engineering and science student. In which student civil engineering (Specialized in
hydropower) are expected to carry out 6 week internship at hydropower site.
1.1.2 About project
Nupuche Likhu Hydropower Project (57.5 MW) is located at Ramechaap District, Gumdel VDC
(Currently Umakunda Rural Municipality). NLHP is being develop by Vision Energy & Power
PVT. LTD. Project boundary is extended Longitude 86°26’30” E - 86°30’30” E and Latitude:
27°40’37” N - 27°43’37”.
Nupche Likhu Hydropower Project is a snow fed Run-Off-River hydropower project with installed
capacity of 57.5MW. Source for the hydropower is originated from snow fed rivers from High
Mountain and hilly region. Project is utilizing design discharge of 7.11 m³/s discharge from two
river Likhu River and Nupche River, with gross head of 1002m. Out of which, 3.89 m3/s discharge
is taken from Nupche River and 3.22 m3/s from Likhu River. NLHP is located in high elevated
area with head elevation at 3330m amsl and the powerhouse is located at 2336m above msl.
Project has completed all pre construction activity and civil construction work is just started. As a
pre-construction work include all legal activities, EIA, construction of camp, construction of
access road to different construction site.
Figure 1: Nupche likhu hydropower

Image Source: Vision Energy & Power Pvt. Ltd (veplinfo.com)

Table 1: coordinate of major structure

Figure 2: General layout prepared using QGIS

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 1.1.3 Sailent features of Nupche-likhu hydropower
Silent features of Nupche-Likhu hydropower project are:-
Table 2: Salient features of Nupuche-Likhu Hydropower Project

S.N. Particulars Remarks

1. General
Name of the Project Nupche Likhu Hydropower Project
Type of the Project Snow fed Run-off River Hydropower Project
2. Location
Zone/ Development Region Janakpur Zone/Central Development Region
District Ramechhap
Project Location Umakunda Rural Municipality, (Gumdel VDC)
River Nucphe Khola and Likhu Khola
License Boundary
Longitude 86°26’30” E - 86°30’30” E
Latitude 27°40’37” N - 27°43’37” N
3. Hydrology
Catchment Area at Headworks 150 Km2 (Nupche 82km2&Likhu 68 km2)
Design Discharge (Q 45 %) 3.89 m3/s+ 3.22 m3/s (Nupche & Likhu) =
7.11m3/s
4. Nupche & Likhu- Headworks
Weir
Type Boulder line weir
Bed Load Sluicer
Type Bed Load
Intake
Type Orifice, Side Intake
Gravel Trap
Type Single, Duffer
Settling Basin
Type Double Bay Duffer
5. Headrace Pipe
Headrace Pipe 839 m & 160 m (Likhu & Nupche River)
6. Tunnel Length
Total Length 6661 m
Tunnel Size 3.2 m x 3.8m (Excavation Size)
7. Surge Tank
Type Underground, Circular
8. Penstock Pipe Length
Total Steel Penstock Pipe 2481 m
Steel Lined Vertical shaft 291 m

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 Steel Lined Tunnel 580 m
9. Power House
Type Surface
Turbine Type Pelton
10. Tail-Race Canal
Type Box Culvert
11. Power and Energy
Gross Head 1003.5 m
Net Head at Full Flow 968.46 m
Installed Capacity 57.5 MW
139.821 GWh, 36.64% (Dry) and 241.791 GWh,
Generated Energy per Annum 63.36%
(Wet) Total: 381.612 GWh
24 km 132 kV line up to National grid at 132 kV
12. Transmission Line & Grid switchyard of Proposed NEA Hub at Garjyang
Substation, Ramechhap district.
13. Project Road to HW & PH 29.75 km
14. Generator
Number of units 3
Synchronous speed 750 rpm
Runaway speed 1350 rpm
15. Transformer
Rated Capacity 8 MVA (1-phase)
Quantity 10 nos. (Including spare)
10,578 million NPR (As per DDS report by DDS
16. Approximate Cost of Project consultant for bank “Sanima Hydro & Engineering
Pvt. Ltd.”)
17. Approximate Construction Period: 4 Years
Required Commercial Operation 2080/05/02 BS
18.
Date (RCOD) 2023/08/19 AD

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1.2 Objectives
 To expose the interns with engineering duties and responsibilities.
 To develop the proficiency to function in diverse engineering and managerial settings
based on core knowledge, skills, attitudes and aptitudes acquired during the in-campus
Semester.
 To make the interns aware of engineering norms, values and ethical practices.
 To acquaint the interns on how to educate and motivate clients about the activities of Host
Organization.
1.3 Scopes
 To be involved in the day-to-day work as instructed by the supervisor from the Host
Organization.
 To document the day-to-day activities in a weekly format.
 To assist the supervisor and to be in consistent communication with the supervisor to
accomplish the objectives he/she may put forward within the period of internship.
 To utilize all the theoretical and practical knowledge gained by interns in order to solve the
problems faced by the Host Organization under the instruction provided by the supervisors.
 To accomplish engineering and managerial tasks required by the supervisors under
engineering norms, values and ethical practices.
 To demonstrate that the intern has the attitude and aptitude to grasp all necessary
fundamentals to become a fully well-groomed professional
1.4 Limitation
 Due to limited time the interns weren’t able to perform a direct large scale supervision
 We, interns were mostly limited to observe the field works and learn from them as any
forceful authentication without authority might lead to disputes and confusion.

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 2 LITERATURE SURVEY AND TECHNOLOGY SURVEY
2.1 Location of project and accessibility
Nupche Likhu Hydropower is located in Ramechhap disctrict at umakund rular municipality. It is
located in east to the Kathmandu. Project location can be reached from Kathmandu by accessing
well pitched road of 131KM up to Manthali, after Manthali it is followed by partially stoned paved
road of 125KM up to Kyama, Gumdel VDC. To reach the construction sites like power house,
surge tang, tunnels and Head work, Hydropower has constructed and maintained roads.

Figure 4 Location of project

Longitude 86°26’30” E - 86°30’30” E

Latitude: 27°40’37” N - 27°43’37” N

Figure 3: project Boundary in Umakunda

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2.2 Physical features of project loaction
The project is located in hilly terrain Ramechhap district. The climate of project area lies in cool
temperature zone, whose temperature ranges from 5-10°C in winter and annual average
temperature is 20°C. It receive monsoon rail fall of 1500mm. It consist of sub-tropical vegetation.
Vegetation like Pinus (Pinus roxburghii), Rhodondron (Rhododendron arboreum), Utis (Alnus
nepalensis), Chilaune (Schima wallichii) etc. are found in this area. The area is dominated by
Sunuwar, Chhetri, Newar, Tamang, Sherpa, Magar, Damai, Badi, Brahman etc. ethnic
communities and is mostly Hindu by religion.
2.3 River source and catchment of project
Nupche likhu hydropower used the water from Nupche River and Likhu River, which are
originated from snow fed high Himalayans. Hydropower is design with design discharge (Q40) of
7.11m³/s. catchment area at head work of the project is of total 150 Km² amoung with 82Km² is
of Nupche and 68 Km² of Likhu river.

Figure 5: catchment of LIkhu HW and Nupche HW extracted using QGIS

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2.4 Project component
2.4.1 Head work
Nuphe-Likhu hydropower is designed with two head work. Head work is proposed in Nupche
River and Likhu River. Intake of the project is located at the elevation of 3330m above mean sea
level. It is the one of the hydropower constructed at the higher altitude.
2.4.1.1 Weir
Weir is a hydraulic structure built across a water channel either river or a stream to divert the flow
of a river to a required location. In hydropower project projects, a diversion weir diverts the water
flow from water channel to supply water to the intake. NLHP boulders line weir is proposed in
both Nupche and Likhu head work.
2.4.1.2 Under sluice
Bed load under sluice is proposed to construct in NHLP. The bed load sluice allows the large
boulders to pass through without hampering the weir u/s face and intake. The gravels and relatively
smaller sediments are retained and passed through the under sluice.
2.4.1.3 Intake structure
Intake structure are the hydraulic structure constructed to withdraw required amount of water from
sources. It is the structure from where water is diverted towards the project for power utilization.
Side intake with orifice type intake is proposed in NLHP.
Two number of intake structure is proposed in NLHP. Intake of the Nupche River is designed for
design discharge of 3.89m3/s and Likhu River is designed for 3.22m ³/s. Total of 7.11m ³/s
discharge is taken from two intake for the power generation of the hydropower. Invert level of the
intake for likhu is fixed at 3336.50m amsl and for nupche 3332m amsl.

Figure 6: intake, gravel trap, approach culvert

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 2.4.1.4 Settling basin
The settling basins for hydropower plants are designed to remove suspended sediments from the
water flow. The main principle involved in the sedimentation tank/basin is to reduce the flow
velocity of water which allows the major amount of suspended particles to settle down. The
velocity with which the particle is settling is known settling velocity. In NLHP double bay settling
basin is proposed to construct. It is of length 102.9m and width is 19.9m and height of settling
basin is 7m. 0.5m wall is used for construction. Flushing system is provided in both bay. Each bay
consist of 2.6m wide flushing channel.

Figure 7: settling basin (LIkhu)

2.4.1.5 Head race pipe

Head race pipe is provided to convey water from settling basin to headrace tunnel. 839 m headrace
pipe is used for likhu head work & 160 m from Nupche River. Diameter of 1.6m pipe is used as
head race pipe.
2.4.2 Underground work
NLHP has larger portion of work as underground. It consist of Headrace tunnel (HRT), vertical
shaft, surge shaft, penstock tunnel and audit tunnel.
2.4.2.1 Penstock tunnel
Steel lined penstock tunnel is constricted with the dimension of 3.2mX3.5m. Total 600m length
penstock tunnel is proposed to construct. Penstock tunnel is excavated to pass penstock from
vertical shaft to the powerhouse. It consist of 3 no of horizontal tunnel which combined at the
point of bifurcation and continue with the sloping of 11.50% up the junction point from vertical
shaft. Penstock tunnel consist of three unit of tunnel i.e. Unit I, Unit II, Unit III, constructed
parallel. Their length is 63.74m, 50.81m and 38.32m. Rock class in penstock tunnel is generally
lies in class IV and V.

9
Figure 8: penstock tunnel

2.4.2.2 Vertical shaft

Vertical shaft of internal diameter 2.9m is excavated depth is 291m. Penstock pipe will be pass
through this shaft. Vertical shaft portal is located at the elevation of 2720m amsl and meet the
penstock tunnel at the elevation of 2420m amsl. Penstock pipe of diameter 1.4m will be place up
to first 100m and 1.3m diameter up to next 100m depth and 1.25m diameter penstock shall be
place up to bifurcation.
2.4.2.3 Surge shaft
Surge shaft is a structure provided at the end of headrace tunnel or pipe to account for water
hammering effect in the pipe at its downstream. In most of the hydropower projects involving
pressure tunnels when power house is suddenly shut down by closing the turbine valves the water
in penstock stops suddenly and because of the inertia of incoming water from the back creates a
resonance effect, which in a mean while causes water hammering effect. If no arrangement has
been made to prevent this water hamming it may result in bursting of penstock pipe and may lead
to serious stability issues of the hydropower project, the best solution is to provide a surge shat or
surge tank depending upon the site constraints.

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Cylindrical surge shaft is proposed to construct in NHLP. It is constructed from elevation
3312.62m to 3357.63m amsl of height 45.043m. Radius of dome at the top is of 3.50m and the
diameter of cylindrical portion of surge shaft is 6.3m. Surge level in surge tank is 3326.70m amsl
low to high 3349.00 upper surge level.
2.4.2.4 Head race tunnel
Head race tunnel is constructed to convey water from headrace pipe up to surge shaft location, i.e.
penstock pipe. Excavation size of HRT is 3.2mX3.8m and has the total length of 6.9km. Head race
tunnel consist of two tunnel, one from Nupche River and another from Likhu River, they meet at
the junction and single HRT is excavated up the outlet of surge shaft. Excavation of HRT tunnel
is done by drill and blast method.
Table 3: length of HRT tunnel

Tunnel (HRT) length

Likhu HRT 1.4KM
Nupche HRT 1.7KM
Tunnel junction to audit junction 0.6km
Audit junction to audit portal 0.6km
Audit junction to surge shaft 2.6km
Total 6.9km

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2.5 Face mapping
The objective of geological rock mapping is to update the geological model, assessment of
rock mass type, continuous short term prediction and supports with the interpretation of
geotechnical measurement and documentation.
Mapping of geological structure is an essential work for the design of underground excavation.
Discontinuity planes which are running through the rock mass may be divided into discrete
bock of rock. And can fall or slide from the excavation boundary, when they are not adequately
supported and when the stress condition which are favorable for the structural failure occur.
Data collected from the mapping of these structures are used to determine the orientation of
the major joint sets and to assess the potential modes of structural failure.
Parameters measured in the rock mapping are type and weathering grade of rock, orientation (dip
amount/dip direction or strike, roughness, wall strength, numbers of joint sets, types of
discontinuity.
In site the face mapping of each blast is done by the geologist to know the parameters above
mentioned. So obtained rock class (Obtained by Q- System) help to know the supports system
needed to be installed and prediction of the rock types in next blast.
2.6 Q-value
The Q-value gives description of the rock mass stability of an underground opening in jointed
rock masses. High Q values indicate good stability and low values means poor stability. Based
on the six parameters, the Q value is calculated using following equation:

Q=
The six parameters are:
RQD= Degree of jointing (Rock Quality Designation)
Jn= No of joint sets
Jr=Joint roughness number
Ja=Joint alteration number
Jw== Joint water reduction factor
SRF = Stress Reduction Factor

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3 DETAIL OF INTERNSHIP PROJECT ACTIVITY
On arriving powerhouse camp site on October 1st, I was introduced to the member of staff in
hydropower. Project manager sir Sabin Pahari and residential engineer Puskar Shrestha sir explain
briefly about general feature of the project, work progress till now and future working plan of
project. Project has just completed its pre-construction activities and just started the civil
construction work. Work on access road, excavation of vertical shaft, excavation of penstock
tunnel, slope protection work on audit tunnel work and Likhu bridge construction work was going
on in Nupche likhu hydropower project. Only 4% of work on civil construction was completed.
Summary of civil work progress till end of internship
Table 4: Work progress

Civil Work completed

Access Surge shaft 8.5km out of 8.5KM
road likhu HW 4.5km out of 7.73KM
Nupche HW 6.5km out of 11.85KM
Vertical shaft 11.5m out of 291m
Audit tunnel Slope protection work going on
Penstock Unit I 11.50m
tunnel Unit II 22m
Unit III 3m
Likhu truss bridge Raft foundation work in left bank
(remaining work will be continue
from mid-November)

3.1 Access road

In order to access the construction site of different component of project, access road is being
constructed. Most of the work on access road is completed and some work of access road is still
going on
Table 5 : Access road

Access road Total length to be Completed Remarks

constructed length
Surge shaft 8.5km 8.5km Levelling and
gravelling work
Likhu head 8.73km 4.5km Track opening
work work only
Nupuche head 11.85km 6.5km Track opening
work work only

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 3.1.1 Access road to surge shaft
Track of access road to surge shaft is completed. Total of 8.5km excavation of road track is already
completed. Levelling, gravelling and slope protection works is not yet completed.
3.1.2 Access road to Nupche head work
11.85Km of access road to Nupche head work is to be constructed, out of which 6.5Km of road is
only completed. Work on excavation of Nupche head work access road is now stopped due to
problem in excavator, and lack of manpower and it is planned to continue work after mid-
November,
3.1.3 Access road to Likhu head work
Access road to Likhu head work is of 8.73Km out of which 4.5Km road is excavated. Work on
excavation on access road is still going on. Leveling and gravelling of this section road is
completely around 3Km. And slope protection, gravelling and maintenance of damaged section
due to landslide is also going on.
3.1.4 Work process on excavation of Likhu Head work
 Site clearance
 Excavation
 Slope protection
 Levelling work
 Drainage system
 Gravelling
Site clearance: - Site clearance is done at the initial phase of road construction. In site clearance
at small vegetation and trees are removed by the excavated. In case of large trees, trees that needed
to be cut was market already.

Figure 10: removable of trees that can be removed by excavator Figure 9: Cutting of large tree

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 Excavation of road: - After site clearance excavation of road is done. Excavation is done
maintaining side slope and gradient of road. Side slope is maintained at 1 V: 0.3 H. In case of large
rocks encounter during excavation, breaking of rock or modification in alignment is decided by
site engineer and contractor.

Figure 12: Excavation of road

Figure 11: maintaining 1V: 0.3H side slope

Slope protection: - Stone filled net is used for the protection of side slope of the road section. It
is done in by inspecting site condition. Generally used in weak part low bearing site condition,
filled section and landslide affected area if required. In case of exceptionally weak condition
Gabion wall is constructed.

Figure 13: Slope protection by Gabion Wall

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  Gabion wall: Gabion is a wire cage or box filled with material like stone or soil. It is
partially flexible block construction which is used for the stability of slope and landslide
or soil erosion protection in construction site.
Drainage system: - In order to protect road from rain water and natural stream flowing through
road surface, drainage system is provided. In order to pass the excess run off from rainfall, open
side drain (ditch type drain) is provided. In case of permanent streams in road section it is deflected
by using Hume pipe and in case of small stream cause way.
 Cause way: cause way is a constructed instead of culvert of placing Hume pipe in order
to reduce the cost of project. It is provided generally when there is flood/water flowing
depth is too low and it doesn’t require costly drainage system.
Stone pitching and levelling: - after excavation levelling is done. Soling and gravelling is done
in the road surface of likhu head work. While levelling ground level is maintaining camber, it is
kept +3% / -3%. For water drainage side canal is provided. Drainage system is provided by
construction canal type structure.

16
3.2 Vertical shaft
Vertical Shaft is a shaft sunk vertically i.e. at 90° directly downward towards earth center. Vertical
shaft is generally constructed for the purpose of man holes, pump station, ventilation purposes. It
is also used for accessing tunnel and underground structure and escape route in case of emergency.
In case of Nupche-Likhu hydropower project, vertical shaft is constructed in order to drop penstock
pipe vertically to the penstock tunnel. Vertical Shaft is excavated by the process of drill and blast.
Internal diameter of the vertical shaft is of 2.9m and depth is 291m. Penstock pipe will be pass
through this shaft. Vertical shaft portal is located at the elevation of 2720m amsl and meet the
penstock tunnel at the elevation of 2420m amsl. Penstock pipe of diameter 1.4m will be place up
to first 100m and 1.3m diameter up to next 100m depth and 1.25m diameter penstock shall be
place up to bifurcation.

Figure 14: Portal for vertical shaft

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 3.2.1 Process involved in excavation of vertical shaft /tunnel
Step 1: slope protection
Step 2: portal preparation/ false portal
Step 3: Drilling
Step 4: loading and blasting
Step 5: Mocking
Step 6: survey, face map reading, determine rock class
Step 7: determine protective support require or not (if not repeat from step 2)
Step 8: provide support/protective structure (Rib protection/Rock bolt/shotcrete as per
recommended by rock class i.e. Q-value by geologist)
Step 9: check shotcrete and protection gain its initial strength
Step 10: repeat from step 3

3.2.2 Slope protection

Slope protection is done in order to protect vertical shaft from probable failure and ensure the
stability of slope. First site is cleared and remove all the soil and vegetation until stable rock bed
is obtained. Unstable rock mass, overhanging rocks are also removed. After clearing the site, wire
mesh is applied in the slope with rock bolting as per recommended by geologist. And shotcrete is
done. Weep holes are provided at the spacing of 1.5m spacing, to remove water from the slope.

Shotcrete on slope with wire mesh

and rock bolting
Weep holes

Figure 15: weep hole at vertical shaft

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 3.2.3 Portal preparation
Portal is constructed at the entrance of vertical shaft. It is constructed with reinforced concrete.
Purpose of the portal preparation is to protect the entrance of the vertical shaft, ensure safety of
workers and prevent entering of rocks and other materials in vertical shaft. It is of internal diameter
of 2.9m and constructed with reinforcement.
3.2.4 Drilling
Drilling is the process of making hole in the vertical shaft, in order to load and blast explosive.
Drilling is done in vertical shaft with the Pneumatic jack hammer. Drilling method used in NLHP
is wedge cut type. In wedge cut drilling process, drill holes are convergence to form V-shape or
wedge shape is formed. This type of cut is suitable for the uniform and hard rock. Wedge cut
require less amount of explosive than other types of cut and the depth of pull is less.
Number of drill holes and drilling depth of hole varies with the rock class, which is recommended
by the geologist after face map reading. Drill depth is generally kept between 1.2m to 1.5m and
number of holes is varies from 25 to 35. Drill pattern is made 16 holes are made in outer edge
followed by 12 hole, 6 holes and 1 hole at the center.

Figure 18: Marking and drilling in vertical shaft Figure 17: loading of explosive

Figure 16: Drill pattern in vertical shaft

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 3.2.5 Loading and Blasting
Loading is the process of placing the explosive in the drilled holes. Explosive are placed in drilled
hole manually and the hole is packed with the sand. Explosive used for the blasting of Vertical
shaft is of around 200gm and diameter is of about 3cm and length of the explosive is about 20cm.
loaded explosive are connected by the wire (detonator). Connection of detonator is done per delay
number, delay number is marked in the detonator. Two types of detonator are used for the blasting,
electric detonator and non-electric detonator. Electric detonator is used to trigger the explosion.
Amount of explosive used depends on nature of the rock mass in shaft face. In NHLP, about 15-
20Kg of explosive is used per blasting.
During blasting special safety measures are applied. Siren is played in order to warn local people
to escape from the blasting area and give time for taking their cattle from blasting site area.
Entrance of the vertical shaft is covered with rods and numbers of sand bag is placed over it, to
prevent rocks and soil materials escape out of shaft and cause damage to machine and other
components.
After the blast de-fuming is done. De-fuming is done by pumping out dust and gases trapped in
the vertical shaft.

Figure 20: sealing entrance of vertical shaft before blasting Figure 19: Mocking

3.2.6 Mocking
After the blasting, mocking is done to remove soil and rock particles obtained after blasting. It is
done by removing the soil particle and loading to the bucket, which is connected to the pulley. It
is pulled out with the help of electric power pulley and thrown out of the vertical shaft.
After mocking scaling is done, in this process loose rock and soil are removed, and face of the
vertical shaft is made levelled. Mocked materials are well managed and disposed to the proper
place.

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 3.2.7 Surveying and determining pull length.
Geomatics engineer and survivor, check the coordinate of the vertical shaft alignment. It is
measured with reference of known coordinate and measured with the total station. They verify the
point, check the deviation occurs in excavation and measure the pull length after blasting.
After point verification, marking for next drilling is also done.

Figure 21: Sample of survey and point verification in vertical shaft

3.2.8 Face mapping and determine Rock support type

Face mapping and determining the rock class and support type is the important step in the
excavation of tunnel/vertical shaft. After completion of blasting mocking and scaling, geologist
investigate the face of the vertical shaft. They check the rock types, types of fault, amount of water
presence in the shaft. They suggest rock class and support type required for the vertical shaft. Also
geologist check and give the decision on support work is required immediately or can go for next
blasting process.

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 Sample of rock face mapping report

Figure 22: sample of rock face mapping report

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 3.2.9 Support work
Support work in vertical class is classified by the rock class/Q-value. Support work is the most
important step in underground work. It ensure safety of workers and visitors and provide stability
and prevent the chance of collapse or failure in underground structure. Different types of the
support work is provided in the vertical shaft. Support work in vertical shaft are:-
 Rib protection (steel ribs)
 Rock bolting
 Shotcrete
If the rock is exceptionally weak, rib protection is provided and if it is stable and less weak rock
bolting and shotcrete is done. Support type and amount of support is recommended by geologist.

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Figure 23: support type based on rock class

False portal concreting is done up to 4m depth in the vertical shaft to ensure extra safety at the
entrance, rib protection is done even rock class suggest rock bolt and shotcrete. 3 no of steel rib is
provided at the spacing of 1.5m.

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 3.2.9.1 Rib protection (steel ribs)
Steel ribs are provided in exceptionally weak site condition during construction of vertical shaft.
For the rib protection ISHB 150 steel section is used. ISHB 150 is bent into arc shape and is
connected with nut and bolt. It is supported in wall with the help of anchor bars. Steel ribs are
provided in the site condition with Q value less than 0.03, i.e. V B and VI B support types.
3.2.9.2 Rock bolting
Rock bolting is the process for stabilizing rock in underground structure. It transfer load from
unstable rock in exterior part of excavated site to the stable rock mass located in interior part of
tunnel/vertical shaft. A rock bolt is a length of steel reinforcing bar which has been installed in a
drill hole, anchored to the rock at the far end and tensioned by the application of an axial, tensile
load through a nut and steel plate bearing against the surface of the rock or shotcrete.
Rock bolt may be grouted or un-grouted. Grouted rock bolt is used in the location requiring
permanent support and un-grouted rock bolt are used in the location that does not require
permanent support. Number and depth and side of rod used for anchor depends on the rock class
and is pre-defined. 20mm Diameter rock bolt with 150x150mm steel plate with nut bolt is used
for tensioning during rock bolting in vertical shaft of NLHP. Depth of the rock bolt varies between
1.5m to 2.5m depending on rock class.
Process of rock bolting
 Drill point are marked by the surveyor
 Drilling is done to required depth with the help of jack hammer
 Drill hole is cleaned
 Injecting grout in hole with grouting pumping machine
 Place the rock bolt in the hole
 Give time for setting of grouting
 Tensioning of rock bolt (next day after grout is completely set)

Figure 24: rock bolting

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 3.2.9.3 Shotcrete
Shotcrete is concrete or mortar pneumatically projected at high velocity through a nozzle. Its
components are aggregates, cement and water, and it can be complemented by fine materials,
chemical additives and reinforcing fibers. force of spraying action that leads to compaction of
the concrete or mortar which then forms layers of concrete to the required thickness.
Two types of shotcrete is used in NLHP as per requirement of site. In case of use of wire mesh,
plain shotcrete is used and in case of non-wire mesh, shotcrete with steel fiber is used. In vertical
shaft, steel fiber reinforced shotcrete is used. Dry mixed type shotcrete is adopted in shotcrete
process. Dry mixed of shotcrete materials is mixed with the water under the action of compressed
air from hopper to nozzle. Once dry mix reach nozzle, water under high pressure is sprayed to the
mix. While spraying water wet dry mix and required wet mixed concrete is jetted out with high
velocity. Amount of water to the mix is controlled by the nozzle man by the means of valve.
Shotcrete mix proportion (manual mix)
Dimension of measuring box: 0.3mX0.3mX0.38m
For 2 box cement (100kg)
Sand 242Kg (i.e. 4box+32mm, 5 box is used considering bulking of sand)
Aggregates 2box=104Kg (particle size passing from 5mm and retain on 10mm)
Micro-silica=5.05Kg
Steel fiber= 5.89Kg
Water= 42litre

Measuring Box

Figure 25: manual batching of shotcrete

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3.3 Slope protection work in Audit tunnel
Slope protection in tunnel is done to ensure slope stability and ensure safety of tunnel entrance.
The purpose of slope protection is to increase the Factor of Safety of a slope to a level that is
considered adequate. Slope protection work of slope stabilization work in tunnel is carried out in
following steps:-
 Removal of vegetation and weak rock: - This process involve removing of vegetation,
soil materials, overhanging and weak rocks. Excavation is done and soil and rock are
removed till stable bed rocks are found.
 Support work: - support work is provided in slope protection with the help of wire
meshing, shotcrete with or without steel fiber reinforcement and anchoring by Rock
bolting.
 Water drainage: - In order to protect slope of the tunnel proper drainage system is
provided to escape ground water from the shotcrete or slope stabilizing structure. Presence
of water in soil and rock increases pore water pressure, which weakens the slope and may
cause failure of slope. Water drainage or removable of ground water from slope is done by
providing weep hole at the specified spacing as per site requirement.
3.3.1 Work on slope protection in audit tunnel
 Removable of vegetation and weak rock: - all the vegetation and soil particles in slope is
cleared. Weak and unstable rock mass is excavated and removed from the site. Removable
of the rock and soil is done until stable bed rock formation is obtained. It is done
approximately up to height of 6-7m from the foot of the tunnel.
 Support work: - for the support work, wielded wire mesh of diameter 4.75mm and
100mmX100mm is laid. It is supported with fully grouted rock bolt of 25mm diameter with
3.5m depth. After the installation of rock bolt, 100mm thick steel fiber reinforced shotcrete
is done. In case of exceptionally weak rock additional rock bolt is provided if
recommended.

Figure 27: Shotcreting in audit tunnel Figure 26: wire mesh, weep holes

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  Water drainage: - For the water drainage in audit tunnel. Weep holes are provided at the
spacing of 2m c/c spacing. Weep hole spacing my differ as per site requirement. It allows
ground water from the slope of the tunnel to escape out
3.3.2 Deviation and corrective measure
In slope protection process, if there occurs cracks that cannot be removed, as shown in figure,

Large crack in rocks

Figure 29: large crack in rock Figure 28: removing clay and soil particles from crack

Corrective measure applied:-

 Crack is cleaned by removing all the soil particles, small rocks and other clay particles,
 It is filled with the suitable sized of boulders ,
 After filling boulders, cement paste mixed with quick setting admixture is poured in the
crack filled with boulders.
 Give time for cement paste and boulders to set well before shotcrete is done.
 Provide additional rock bolt

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 3.4 Penstock tunnel
In order to pass penstock pipe from vertical shaft to powerhouse, steel lined penstock tunnel is
constructed. Construction/excavation method for the penstock tunnel is drilling and blasting, and
follow the steps similar to the excavation of vertical shaft.
3.4.1 Steps for excavation of penstock tunnel
Note: Steps for the excavation tunnel is similar to excavation of vertical shaft, and it is described
in chapter 3.2.1 process involve in excavation of vertical shaft/tunnel
3.4.2 Slope protection work
Slope protection work is penstock tunnel same as in slope protection work in Audit tunnel. Process
and method followed for the slope protection is given is Chapter 3.3.1 work on slope protection
in audit tunnel
3.4.3 Drilling, loading and blasting
Process for drilling, loading and blasting is explained in chapter 3.2.4 and 3.2.5

Figure 30: loading of explosive

Figure 31: drilling on Penstock tunnel

3.4.4 Mocking
After blasting, the process of taking out rock mass from inside the tunnel is known as mucking. It
is removed from the tunnel with the help of loader. All the rock materials and soil are removed
and scaling is done, to make tunnel surface smooth. Waste materials and soil obtained are disposed
to the specified mocking yard.
3.4.5 Face mapping and surveying
Face mapping and survey is done after each blast. Geologist team inspect the rock mass class and
suggest support type and instruct for next blast or support work. Surveyor measure the pull length
and check the alignment of the tunnel and ensure the excavation alignment and point are within
permissible limit.

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Sample of face mapping report

Figure 32: sample report on facemapping of penstock tunnel Unit II

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 3.4.6 Support work
In tunnel, support work depends on the rock class and recommended by the geologist.
Exceptionally weak rock condition required steel rib protection where as good and stable rock
condition simply rock bolting and shotcrete work may be enough. Support work is determined
after reviewing rock condition and support class is determined. Type of support and method for
providing support is pre-defined and done accordingly. If there require any deviation of extra
support is needed, it is done as per recommended by site engineer.

Figure 33: Support type in tunnel based on Q-value

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 3.4.6.1 Steel Rib
Steel rib is used in the site condition with exceptionally weak rock condition. Site condition with
Q-value less than 0.03 is provided with Steel rib protection. Steel section used is ISHB 150 and is
bent in required shaped and assembled.
Even rock condition i.e. Q-value suggest other type of support, to increase factor of safety, steel
ribs are installed at the portal of the tunnel. Steel ribs at 1m c/c is used. ISHB 150 steel section is
used up to 4 m. Steel ribs are tied with 16mm diameter steel rod, it is done by wielding. After
installation of steel rib section of the steel rib is shotcrete with M30 steel fiber reinforcement
shotcrete.

Figure 34: Assemble of Steel ribs

3.4.6.2 Spiling
Rock supports in tunnel depends on the rock class obtained. For each rock class type the rock
supports vary accordingly. Support for each rock class were pre-defined. After each blasting and
mucking, geologist would observe the face and prepare face map and determine the rock class and
select the rock support accordingly
3.4.6.3 Rock bolt and shotcrete
Rock bolting in penstock tunnel is done in same way as done in Vertical shaft. It is explained in
chapter 3.2.9.2 Rock bolting and for shotcrete work is explained in chapter 3.2.9.3 Shotcrete.

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3.5 Laboratory work and quality control
As the project is just started, laboratory is not completely set. Managing and set up of lab
equipment is going on and will be completed soon. Currently few test can be performed.
3.5.1 Concrete Mix design/ trial mix
Concrete mix design is the process of finding right proportions of cement, sand and aggregates for
concrete to achieve target strength in structures. This process is usually adopted for structures
which requires higher grades of concrete and above and large construction projects where quantity
of concrete consumption is huge. Benefits of concrete mix design is that it provides the right
proportions of materials, thus making the concrete construction economical in achieving required
strength of structural members.
After the sample is prepared, it is placed in six cubes of 15*15*15 cm dimension. The concrete in
these cube are tempered so that no voids are formed in between. Then these cubes are placed in
curing tank. Three cubes are taken for 7-day compression test and other three cubes are used in
28-day compression test.
In NLHP lies in cold climate condition, so curing tank are provided with heating arrangement to
maintain temperature of 25°c. Trial mix ratio is adopted only after it give required strength
after compressive test.

Figure 35: curing with heating arrangement

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 3.5.2 Slump test
Slump test is carried out the calculate consistency and the water cement ratio in concrete. Concrete
prepared for casting cubes are placed in the conical frustum. It is placed in conical apparatus in
3stage with tampered to remove any void presence in it. After filing concrete, it is slowly removed.
Height of the slump from top is measured. It is measured taking reference of conical frustum.
After the concrete is placed, the cone is removed slowly and the height of slump from the top is
measured. If shear or collapsed slump is obtained, the concrete mix is prepared again with new
water cement ratio.
3.5.3 Compressive strength test
Compressive strength test is a mechanical test to measure the maximum amount of load concrete
can take before failure. Compression test is done by the help of UTM (Universal Testing Machine).
This test as the name specifies is used to measure the compressive strength of the concrete. In this
test, a concrete sample is kept in the UTM and the load is gradually increased. The load is increased
until the sample can take no more. The highest value of load the sample can take is its compressive
strength

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4 CONCLUSION

35
5 REFERENCES
Nupche likhu Hydropower project report- Vision Energy & Power Pvt. Ltd (veplinfo.com)

Nupche Likhu Hydropower Project (veplinfo.com)

Nupche Likhu Hydropower Project (gce.com.np)

Er .Baral,S.(2013) Fundamentals of Hydropower Engineering. Kathmandu, Nepal: Engineering

and Educational Services.

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6 ANNEX

Figure 36: project camp

Figure 37: curing tank with heating arrangement

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Figure 39: compressive strength testing machine Figure 38: oven

Figure 40: cube for testing 28 day compressive test

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Figure 41: mix design (M25)

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Figure 42: Mix design M35

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 Figure 43: shotcrete machine
Figure 44: jack hammer

Figure 45: crawler drilling machine

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Figure 46: slope protection work

Figure 47 : portal for penstock tunnel

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43