Stability analysis of rock slopes along Gangadarshan, Pauri, Garhwal, Uttarakhand

• Published in: Journal of the Geological Society of India Vol. 89; no. 6; pp. 689 - 696
• Main Authors: Chaurasia, Abhishek Kumar, Pandey, H. K., Nainwal, H. C., Singh, Jitendra, Tiwari, S. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer India Geological Society of India 01.06.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Classification; Debris; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geology; Geomorphology; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Identification; Instability; Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; Rock mass rating; Rocks; Slope; Slope stability; Slopes; Stability analysis
• ISSN: 0016-7622; 0974-6889
• DOI: 10.1007/s12594-017-0680-1

The rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR) has been carried out to classify the slope in terms of slope instability. To understand the RMR and SMR various geostructural, geomorphologic and hydrological parameters of the slopes were measured and analyzed. 32 rock slopes/rock cum debris slopes were identified in the study area. The present RMR and SMR study is an outcome of extensive field study along a stretch of about 10 km on road leading from Srinagar to Pauriarea along Alaknanda valley. The technique followed incorporates the relation between discontinuities and slope along with rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR). The analysis of the 32 studied slopes shows that in the Gangadarshan area out of six rock slope facets, two falls in class II (stable) and four in class IV (unstable). It is significant to note that the slope facets coming under class IV are comprised of active landslide portions. While the slopes under class II show minor failure or old landslide debris.