SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS ALONG ROADCUT SIDE RISHIKESH,

UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

A DISSERTATION PRESENTED

BY

GOVIND PRASAD KORI

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN
GEOLOGY
2021

Under the supervision of Submitted by:

Dr. Ashutosh Kainthola Govind Prasad Kori
Asst. Professor M.Sc. Geology(sem.-IV)
Department of Geology Roll No. 19419GLG027
Centre of Advanced Study Enrollment No. 382729
Institute of Science Session: 2019-2021
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi-221005
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is a matter of great pride and pleasure for me to present my dissertation project titled
“Slope stability analysis along roadcut side Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India” and I
take this opportunity to express my immense gratitude to all the people who have helped
me get this work in the presentable shape.

Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor and mentor, Dr. Ashutosh

Kainthola, for giving me an opportunity to work on such a fascinating topic and
for providing his precious guidance all throughout the way, I am indebted to him
for his support and knowledge that I gained during this period. His personal
support and care, along with his scientific inputs meant a lot to me.

I am greatly thankful to Mr. Abhishek Srivastav, Research scholar, for

all his support for the smooth execution for this project. I am also thankful to Mr.
Vishnu H R Pandey, for their invaluable support and guidance to complete the
project.

I am thankful to Ms. Shreya Bharti, my dissertation partner for her help

and support.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family for their support and

encouragement.

Govind Prasad Kori

Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction ........................................................................................ 6
1.1. Stability of road cut slopes in the lesser Himalayan terrane .......................... 6
1.2. Literature ........................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 2. Geological Setup ................................................................................. 8
2.1. Regional Geology- ......................................................................................... 8
Chapter 3. Field Investigation ............................................................................. 10
3.1 Location 1 ..................................................................................................... 11
3.2 Location 2 ..................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Location 3 ..................................................................................................... 17
3.4 Location 4 ..................................................................................................... 20
3.5 Location 5 ..................................................................................................... 23
3.6 Location 6 ..................................................................................................... 26
Chapter 4. Calculation......................................................................................... 29
4.1 Orientations-.................................................................................................. 29
4.2 Conditions- .................................................................................................... 29
4.3 RMRbasic Calculation: ................................................................................. 30
4.4 SMR Calculation:.......................................................................................... 30
Results and discussion: ....................................................................................... 32
Conclusion: ......................................................................................................... 32
References: .......................................................................................................... 33
 List of figures

Figure 1: Geometric condition for rock slope failures and Stereography pattern of rock slope
failures.
Figure 2: Tectonic map of the Himalaya (G. Fush 1980).
Figure 3. Pin points showing locations of investigation area.

Figure 3.1: Rock mass conditions at location 1.

Figure 3.1.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1 (Planar failure)
Figure 3.1.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1 (Wedge failure)
Figure 3.1.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1 (Flexural toppling)
Figure 3.1.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1 (Direct toppling)

Figure 3.2: Rock mass conditions at location 2.

Figure 3.2.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2 (Planar failure)
Figure 3.2.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2 (Wedge failure)
Figure 3.2.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2 (Flexural toppling)
Figure 3.2.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2 (Direct toppling)

Figure 3.3: Rock mass conditions at location 3.

Figure 3.3.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3 (Planar failure)
Figure 3.3.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3 (Wedge failure)
Figure 3.3.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3 (Flexural toppling)
Figure 3.3.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3 (Direct toppling)

Figure 3.4: Rock mass conditions at location 4.

Figure 3.4.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4 (Planar failure)
Figure 3.4.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4 (Wedge failure)
Figure 3.4.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4 (Flexural toppling)
Figure 3.4.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4 (Direct toppling)

Figure 3.5: Rock mass conditions at location 5.

Figure 3.5.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5 (Planar failure)
Figure 3.5.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5 (Wedge failure)
Figure 3.5.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5 (Flexural toppling)
Figure 3.5.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5 (Direct toppling)

Figure 3.6: Rock mass conditions at location 6.

Figure 3.6.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6 (Planar failure)
Figure 3.6.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6 (Wedge failure)
Figure 3.6.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6 (Flexural toppling)
Figure 3.6.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6 (Direct toppling)
 List of tables

Table 2.1: Stratigraphic sequence in Garhwal syncline near Rishikesh.

Table 2.2: Himalayan Sub-divisions (after An Yin, 2005).
Table 3.1: Discontinuities conditions at location 1.
Table 3.2: Discontinuities conditions at location 2.
Table 3.3: Discontinuities conditions at location 3.
Table 3.4: Discontinuities conditions at location 4.
Table 3.5: Discontinuities conditions at location 5.
Table 3.6: Discontinuities conditions at location 6.
Table 4.1: Orientation of Slopes and Discontinuities.
Table 4.2: Condition of Discontinuities.
Table 4.3: RMRbasic at Locations.
Table 4.4: SMR calculation at locations.
Table 5: SMR value
Chapter 1. Introduction

Stability of slope refers to the condition of soil or rock slopes to withstand or undergo
movement. Slopes may fail by natural or anthropogenic agents that lead to disruption in traffic
flow, loss of properties and lives and environmental degradation by soil erosion and loss of
plantation. One of the common and often neglected areas of concern is the systematic
geological and geotechnical investigation before excavation of a road cut. Unscientific design
of a road cut may weaken toe of a natural slope, which may fail in rainy season even due to
slightest of rainfall or in the wake of an earthquake event. Thus, slopes may become highly
vulnerable and a threat to local commuters.
According to researchers (Dudeja et al. 2017, Siddique et al. 2017), landslides generally
and recurrently occur in the Himalayan terrains due to presence of geologically weak rocks,
high rainfall intensity during the monsoon season, tectonically induced seismicity and
occasionally due to anthropogenic activities like blasting of tunnels for hydropower projects,
unplanned excavation or side cuttings for road widening (Sati et al. 2011) and deforestation. In
recent times, frequency of landslides in the Himalayan region has raised due to heightened
infrastructure development activities like road widening and hydropower projects (Singh et al.
2010).

1.1. Stability of road cut slopes in the lesser Himalayan terrane

In any mountainous regions, slope failures are naturally occurring phenomena, which
frequently occurs along cut slopes of roads and causes loss of life, injury, and much damage to
the civil infrastructures each year (Allotti and Choudhary 1999). Improper modification
methods adopted on original slope condition in hilly regions for the purpose of construction
and widening of road affects the stability of cut slopes (Singh et al 2013). So, in a hilly region
construction of transportation corridor requires stable original and modified slopes & this can
be achieved by proper geological and geo mechanical studies carried out in these hilly terrains
before starting of any major civil constructions works.

1.2. Literature

There are many factors that cause slope instability ie. erosion, rainfall, earthquakes, external
loading, construction activities such as excavation of slopes, rapid drawdown, increment of
pore water pressure, and the change in topography due to some tectonic activities. There are
mainly four types of slope failure which are discussed briefly below:

1. Plane failure: Plane failure occurs in rock mass in response to single discontinuity which
has dip less than dip of slope face and greater than the angle of friction of the surface. The dip
direction of the planar discontinuity must be within slope face dip direction.

2. Wedge failure: Wedge failure occurs in rock mass with two or more sets of discontinuities
whose plunge of the intersection line is less than dip of the slope face and greater than angle
of friction of the surface. Trend of this intersection line is approximately the dip direction of
slope face.

3. Toppling failure: Toppling failure occurs when steeply dipping discontinuities make
columns of slab whose centre of gravity fall outside the dimension of its base. Jointed rock
mass closely spaced and steeply dipping discontinuity: sets that dip away from the slope
surface are necessary prerequisites for toppling failure.
4. Circular failure: Circular failure occurs in highly jointed rock where discontinuities are
oriented randomly in the rock mass.

Figure 1: Geometric condition for rock slope failures and Stereography pattern of rock slope
failures; (a) rotational failure, (b) planar failure, (c) Wedge failure, (d) toppling failure
Chapter 2. Geological Setup

Geology of the Himalaya is quite complex owing to tectonic processes. Himalaya lies between
two syntaxis represented by eastern Namcha Barwa and western Nanga Parbat peaks. Himalaya
is result of continent-continent collision of the Indian plate beneath the Eurasian plate. There
are five impulses punctuated by intervals of comparative quiescence. First movement
accompanied by the emplacement of the Dras Volcanic in Late cretaceous-early Eocene time.
Second major upheaval during Eocene when Tethyan Himalaya zone was accompanied by the
emplacement of tourmaline granites in granitic gneisses that comprises higher Himalaya zone.
In third phase of Himalaya upheaval rocks of lesser Himalaya zone were deformed into broad
fold during middle Miocene time. At fourth stage of upheaval result in the rise of Himalayan
foot hills and rise of the outer Himalaya coincide with Pleistocene ice ages and in fifth and
final phase there ae isostatic adjustment

Figure 2: Tectonic map of the Himalaya (G. Fush 1980).

takes place after ice sheet removal. The rocks of extra peninsular disturbed greatly by complex
folding, faulting and over thrusting. Himalayan has been subdivided on many criteria and these
are discussed briefly in table 2.2.

2.1. Regional Geology-

The Uttarakhand Himalaya include a 320 km stretch of the mountain between the Kali river
forming the Indo-Nepal border in the east and Tons-Pobar valleys from the eastern border of
the Himanchal Pradesh in the west. The study area lies in lesser Himalayan terrane, which
extends from MBT in the south to the MCT in the north. The geological framework of the area
is rather complex. In the area, a large variety of rocks and rock complexes are developed in the
central crystalline complex of Great Himalaya and the lesser as well as Sub-Himalaya. The
rocks show many lateral facies changes, in fact numerous rocks sequences and complexes
results to be often discontinuous from one valley to the other. The lithological characteristics,
as well the complex deformation history of the area and the weathering condition of the rock
masses make the area very sensitive to mass wasting processes, often in association with the
monsoon climatic condition of the region. The area constitutes a part of Garhwal syncline of
Krol belt, which constitute of Shimla slates, Chandpur, Nagthat, Krol, Tal and Subathu
formations. The northern limb of the syncline is intricately faulted whereas the southern limb
is intensively folded all these settings are briefly summarized in table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Stratigraphic sequence in Garhwal syncline near Rishikesh.

…….…………………………….Nayar Fault…………………………………

Intrusion Subathu formation Metadolerite Sandstone shale/slate

Upper Tal formation Variegted sandstone
Lower Tal formation Sandy oolite & shale

Krol formation Cherty dolostone & limestone

Dolostone with subordinate shale
Bluish black limestone
Alternate shale limestone sequence
Infra Krol formation Thinly laminated slate-quartzite association
Blaini formation Blaini bed & slates, upper nagthat quartzite phyllite,
sandstone andconglomerate
Chaosa formation Varigated slate, phyllite & sandstone

…………………………………..…..MBT…………………………………….

Table 2.2 Himalayan Sub-divisions (after An Yin, 2005).

Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone

Late Precambrian Tethys Himalaya (TSZ) Sedimentary rocks
to Cenozoic
Tethys Thrust
Precambrian Central Crystallines (HHCZ) Metamorphic rock
Main Central Thrust
Precambrian Precambrian (LHZ) Low grade Metamorphic
Sedimentary & Volcanic

Main Boundary Thrust

Tertiary Outer Himalaya Exclusively Sedimentary

Main Frontal Thrust

Quaternary Indo-Gangetic Exclusively Sedimentary
Chapter 3. Field Investigation

The field investigation was carried out at 6 different locations along the Shivpuri-Byassi near
Rishikesh (Uttarakhand). Data collected at different locations are described below sequentially.

Figure 3. Pin points showing locations of investigation area.

Basic Terminology-

1. Discontinuity – covers joints, beddings or foliations, shear zones, minor faults, and all
other surfaces of weakness.
2. Joints- Joint is a discontinuity plane of natural origin along which there has been visible
displacement.
3. Elevation- Height above mean sea level.
4. GPS- The Global Positioning System, is a global navigation satellite system that
provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the
Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
5. Dip- The angle from horizontal of a planar geologic surface.
6. Joint Spacing- Joint set spacing is the distance between individual joints within a joint
set.
7. Rock mass- A rock mass is composed of system of rock blocks and fragments separated
by discontinuities forming a material in which all elements behave in mutual
dependence as a unit.
8. Joint fillings- All materials occurring between joint’s planes.
9. Joint spacing- The linear distance between two adjacent discontinuities.
10. Rock material – intact rock within the framework of discontinuities.
11. UCS- capacity of a material or structure to with stand axially directed pushing forces.
12. RQD- percentages of intect rock core longer than 100mm in total length of core run.
13. Aperture- openness of joints.
14. Roughness/asperities – irregularity or roughness of the joint surface.
15. Persistence – depth of joints.
3.1 Location 1

The site was located near 30°07’56.19”N, 78°20’50.41”E. The prominent rocks were major
sandstone interbedded with shale. Rocks were moderately weathered. Three sets of well-
developed discontinuities sets were developed in the area.

Figure 3.1: Rock mass conditions at location 1.

Table 3.1: Discontinuities conditions at location 1.

Locatio Discont Orienta R UCS Spac Discontinuity Conditions
n with inuity tion Q ing
Persistence(m)

Aperture(mm)

Slope D
Weathering
Roughness

condition

(in ◦)
Infillings

Orienta (%) (MPa) (cm)

tion

J1 68/212 84 38a 5-20 1-3 1-3 Mod Quartz Highly

Veins
S1 J2 28/098 84 38a 1-5 0.3 <5 Mod None Mod.
-1
(75/204) J3 60/300 84 38a 5-20 0.3 1-5 Mod None Mod.
-5
Figure 3.1.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1.
(Planar failure)

Figure 3.1.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1.

(Wedge failure)
Figure 3.1.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1.
(Flexural toppling failure)

Figure 3.1.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 1.

(Direct toppling failure)
3.2 Location 2

The site was located near 30°07’09.78”N, 78°22’07.99”E. The prominent rock type was
sandstone with shale. The rocks were moderately weathered. The rock mass is highly jointed,
3 sets of joints were observed in the area.

Figure 3.2: Rock mass conditions at location 2.

Table 3.2: Discontinuities conditions at location 2.

Locatio Discon Orienta R UCS Spac Discontinuity Conditions

n with tinuity tion Q ing
Slope D
Persistence(m)

Aperture(mm)

Weathering
Roughness

(in ◦)
Condition
Infillings

Orientat (%) (MPa) (cm)

ion

J1 56/157 83 37a 10- 0.2- 5- Slight Quartz Mod

25 1 10 Veins
J2 60/292 83 37a 5-20 0.1 1-5 Slight Quartz Mod
S2
(70/210) -0.5 Veins
J3 79/035 83 37a 5-10 0.2 1-5 Slight Quartz Mod
-0.6 Veins
Figure 3.2.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2.
(Planar failure)

Figure 3.2.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2.

(Wedge failure)
Figure 3.2.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2.
(Flexural toppling failure)

Figure 3.2.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 2.

(Direct toppling failure)
3.3 Location 3

The site was located near 30°07’08.01”N, 78°22’34.46”E. The rocks were highly weathered.
The rock mass is highly jointed, 3 sets of joints were observed in the area.

Figure 3.3: Rock mass conditions at location 3.

Table 3.3: Discontinuities conditions at location 3.

Locatio Disconti Orienta R UCS Spac Discontinuity Conditions

n with nuity tion Q ing
Persistence(m)

Aperture(mm)

Slope D
(in ◦)
Weathering

Orientat (%) (MPa) (cm)

Roughness

Condition
Infillings

ion

J1 50/224 90 31a 30- 1-3 5- Slight None High

80 10 ly
S3 J2 60/334 90 31a 10- 0.5- 1-5 Slight None High
(70//160) 30 3 ly
J3 46/127 90 31a 10- 0.5- 1-5 Slight None High
20 3 ly
 Figure 3.3.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3.
(Planar failure)

Figure 3.3.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3.

(Wedge failure)
Figure 3.3.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3.
(Flexural toppling failure)

Figure 3.3.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3.

(Direct toppling failure)
3.4 Location 4

The prominent rock type was quartz arenite. The rocks were slightly weathered. The rock mass
is highly jointed, 3 sets of joints were observed in the area.

Figure 3.4: Rock mass conditions at location 4.

Table 3.4: Discontinuities conditions at location 4.

Locatio Disconti Orienta R UCS Spac Discontinuity Conditions

n with nuity tion Q ing
Persistence(m)

Aperture(mm)

Slope D
Weathering
Roughness

Condition
Infillings

Orientat (in ◦) (%) (MPa) (cm)

ion

J1 49/213 93 50a 20- 0.5 5- Slight None Slight

50 -1 10 ly
S4 J2 86/167 93 50a 30- 0.3 5- Mod. None Slight
(85/192) 60 -5 10 ly
J3 45/042 93 50a 15- 0.3 1- Mod. None Slight
30 -5 10 ly
Figure 3.4.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4.
(Planar failure)

Figure 3.4.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 3.

(Wedge failure)
Figure 3.4.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4.
(Flexural toppling failure)

Figure 3.4.4: stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 4.

(Direct toppling failure)
3.5 Location 5

The site was located near 30°05’20.98”N, 78°26’37.65”E. The rocks were moderately
weathered. The rock mass is highly jointed, 3 sets of joints were observed in the area.

Figure 3.5: Rock mass conditions at location 5.

Table 3.5: Discontinuities conditions at location 5.

Locatio Disconti Orienta R UCS Spac Discontinuity Conditions

n with nuity tion Q ing
Persistence(m)

Aperture(mm)

Slope D
Weathering
Roughness

Condition
Infillings

Orientat (in ◦) (%) (MPa) (cm)

ion

J1 50/220 89 38a 20- 1-5 5- Slight None Slight

60 10 ly
S5 J2 27/019 89 38a 30- 1-5 5- Mod None Mod.
(80/253) 60 10
J3 63/102 89 38a 10- 1-2 1-5 Mod None Mod.
20
Figure 3.5.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5.
(Planar failure)

Figure 3.5.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5.

(Wedge failure)
Figure 3.5.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5.
(Flexural toppling failure)

Figure 3.5.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 5.

(Direct toppling failure)
3.6 Location 6

The site was located near 30°04’15”N, 78°27’13”E. Rocks were moderately weathered. 3 sets
of well-developed discontinuities sets were developed in the area.

Figure 3.6: Rock mass conditions at location 6.

Table 3.6: Discontinuities conditions at location 6.

Location Discont Orienta R UCS Spac Discontinuity Conditions

with inuity tion Q ing
Persistence(m)

Aperture(mm)

Slope D
Weathering
Roughness

Condition
Infillings

Orientati (in ◦) (%) (MPa) (cm)

on

J1 65/130 30 24a <1 5- 1-5 Slight None Mod.

S6 10
(78/240) J2 41/090 30 24a 1-5 5- 1-5 Slight None Mod.
10
J3 55/016 30 24a 1-5 5- 1-5 Slight None Mod.
10
Figure 3.6.1: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6.
(Planar failure)

Figure 3.6.2: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6.

(Wedge failure)
Figure 3.6.3: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6.
(Flexural toppling failure)

Figure 3.6.4: Stereographic orientation of discontinuities at location 6.

(Direct toppling failure)
Chapter 4. Calculation

4.1 Orientations-

Table 4.1: Orientation of Slopes and Discontinuities.

Orientation of joints
Location Orientation
J1 J2 J3 Intersection Intersection Intersection
of slope
(J1/ J2) (J1/ J3) (J2/ J3)

L1 75/204 68/212 28/098 60/300 23/131 55/264 08/024

L2 70/210 56/157 60/292 79/035 31/222 46/112 55/322

L3 70/160 50/224 60/334 46/127 38/271 36/171 16/053

L4 85/192 49/213 86/167 45/042 41/253 04/127 38/079

L5 80/253 50/220 27/019 63/112 07/304 40/175 25/036

L6 78/240 65/130 41/290 55/016 12/214 42/065 37/318

4.2 Conditions-

Table 4.2: Condition of Discontinuities.

Discontinuities conditions

Location UCS RQD Spacing of GW

Weathering
Persistence

Roughness
Aperture

Infilling

(MPa) (%) Discontinuities

(mm)
(m)

(cm)

Quartz
L1 37 84 5-20 1-3 1-3 Mod. Veins Highly Dry
Quartz
L2 36.25 83 10-25 0.2-1 5-10 Slightly Veins Mod. Dry

L3 31.86 90 10-20 0.5-3 1-5 Slightly None Highly Dry

L4 45.78 93 30-60 0.3-5 5-10 Mod. None Slightly Dry

L5 37 89 20-60 1-5 5-10 Slightly None Slightly Dry

L6 26.73 30 1-5 5-10 1-5 Slightly None Mod. Dry

4.3 RMRbasic Calculation:

RMRbasic is evaluated according to Bieniawski by adding the ratings of five Parameters.

1. Uniaxial Compressive Strength of intact rock material
2. Rock quality designation (RQD)
3. Joint or discontinuity spacing
4. Joint condition
5. Groundwater condition

Table 4.3: RMRbasic at Locations.

Discontinuities
condition rating
Location UCS RQD Spacing of Ground

Weathering
Persistence

Roughness
rating rating Discontinuities water RMRbasic

Aperture

Infilling
rating rating

L1 4 17 8 4 1 5 4 1 15 59

L2 4 17 10 6 0 3 2 3 15 60

L3 4 20 8 4 1 3 6 1 15 62

L4 4 20 10 2 0 5 6 5 15 67

L5 4 17 10 2 0 3 6 5 15 62

L6 4 8 5 2 1 3 6 3 15 47

4.4 SMR Calculation:

For evaluation the stability of rock slopes, Romana (1985) proposed a classification called the
“slope mass rating” (SMR) system.

SMR = RMRbasic + (F1. F2. F3) + F4

F1, F2, and F3 are adjustment factors related to joint orientation with respect to slope
orientation, F4 is the correction factor for method of excavation.
F1 depends upon parallelism between joints and slope face strikes.
F1 = (1 – sin A)2
A denotes the angle between the strike of the slope face (αs) and that of the joints (αj), that is,
(αs - αj).
F2 refers to joint dip angle (βj) on the planar failure mode. For the toppling mode of failure,
F2 remains equal to 1,
So
F2 = tan(βj)
F3 refers to the relationship between the slope face (βs) and joint dips(βj)
F4 pertains to the adjustment for the method of excavation.

Table 4.4: SMR calculation at locations.

Location Mode of F1 F2 F3 F4 RMR SMR

Failure basic

Plane 0.85 1 -50 0 59 16.5

(J1)

L1 Wedge 0.40 1 -60 0 59 35

(J1/J3)

Wedge 0.15 0.40 -60 0 59 55.4

(J1/J2)

Wedge 0.15 0.70 -60 0 60 53.7

(J1/J2)
L2
Flexural
toppling 0.15 1 -25 0 60 56.25
(J3)

Wedge 0.15 0.85 -60 0 62 54.35

(J1/J3)
L3
Flexural
toppling 0.15 1 -25 0 62 58.25
(J2)

L4 Wedge 0.40 0.85 -60 0 67 46.6

(J1/J2)

L5 Wedge 0.15 0.85 -60 0 62 54.35

(J1/J3)

Wedge 0.70 0.85 -60 0 47 11.3

(J2/J3)
L6
Direct 0.15 1 -6 0 47 46.1
toppling
Results and discussion:

The area along the roadcut from Shivpuri to Byassi, near Rishikesh comprising of rock types
such as Sandstone, shale, quartz arenite. The data were collected from field work and tests
using various statistical/mathematical methods such as kinematic analysis, RMRbasic and SMR
system.
Kinematic analysis used to identify potentially unstable blocks, followed by detailed stability
analysis of these blocks. Also used to examine the direction in which a block will slide and
give an indication of stability conditions. If the slope face had been less steep than line of
intersection between two planes, or had a strike at 90° to the actual strike, then although the
two planes form a wedge, it would not have been able to slide from the face.

The Slope mass rating used for evaluating the stability of rock slopes, and proposed by Romana
(1985). SMR is obtained from Bieniawski’s rock mass rating (RMR) by subtracting adjustment
factors of the joint-slope relationship and adding a factor depending on method of excavation.
Slope with an SMR value below 20 may fail very quickly. No slope has been registered with
and SMR value below 10, because such slopes would not physically exist.

Table 5: SMR value.

Class No. V IV III II I

SMR value 0-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100
Rock mass description Very bad Bad Normal Good Very good

Conclusion:

An rigorous field, laboratory and computer investigations were carried out to ascertain the
stability aspects of fresh cut slope along roadcut side Rishikesh in the lesser Himalayan region.
In most part of the study area the area is intensely deformed and highly weathered region.,
seepage is very prominent due to huge tectonic stress. Kinematic analysis renders the cut slopes
of all 6 locations as more or less stable and no failure is observed, however, failures which
occur in this area are mainly caused by unscientifically planned road construction activity and
different environmental conditions viz, heavy rain fall. Our study focuses done by Kinematic
Analysis (which gave idea about the failure direction, discontinuity and its relation with the
weathering condition), slide softwear(DIPS) and SMR calculation. Mapping of ground during
field work gave idea about the activity which are currently active at that area. So, for better
health of the slopes and to avoid loss of life & damage to the property, stabilization measures
implemented and need spot bolting, constructing ditches and installing nets to retain potential
falling blocks. Further more detailed study, are required for safety of life and secure our
economic property.
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