Assessment of Slopes through Geomechanical and Kinematic Analysis along NH-5 in the adjoining areas of Waknaghat, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The Northwestern part of lesser Himalaya is susceptible to geohazards like, landslides, earthquake and
flood etc. This study is focused on the assessment slopes by using geomechanical and kinematic analysis
on stretch along National Highway- 5 (NH-5) from Kandaghat to Waknaghat, Himachal Pradesh, India.
NH-5, also known as Hindustan-Tibet highway, is of strategic importance and connects Kinnaur district to
the rest of India. It is one of the important highways, which carries millions of tourists, acts as a main means
of transporting the men and material all through the region including border areas. The incidence of
landslides in the study area has been escalating since the highway construction started. However, the
incidences of the landslides have reportedly increased due to the subsequent unplanned anthropogenic
activities including the recent widening of the highway. The joint data has been collected from different
locations in the study area and the stereographic projection has been plotted with the help of data for
calculating different type of failure (Planar, Wedge and Toppling) using kinematic analysis. Further Rock
Mass Rating (RMR) and Slope Mass Rating (SMR) have been carried out to describe the different classes
of slopes. On the basis of RMR study, all the five rock slopes fall in fair RMR class. Based on kinematic
analysis, 3 rock slopes form wedge failures, one rock slope form planar failure and one rock slopes forms
both planar and wedge failure.