Stability of Mountain Slopes Affected by the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake: A Case Study of Bhotekoshi Hydropower, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64862/Keywords:
Mountain slopes, Post-earthquake, Slope stability analysis, Slope stabilizationAbstract
This study assesses post-earthquake slope stability at the Bhotekoshi Hydropower site, Sindhupalchowk, severely affected by the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha Earthquake. Using SMR and Stereographic Projection, key discontinuities (235°/67°) controlling instability were identified. RMR = 27 and SMR = 37.8 classify the slope as Class IV (Bad), with 57% planar and 28% wedge failure-prone areas, highlighting the need for stabilization and monitoring.
References
Bieniawski, Z. T. (1989). Engineering Rock Mass Classifications: A Complete Manual for Engineers and Geologists in Mining, Civil, and Petroleum Engineering. John Wiley & Sons.
Dahal, R. (2006). Geology for Technical Students. Kathmandu: Bhrikuti Academic Publications.
Department of Mines and Geology (DMG). (2018). Landslide Inventory and Hazard Mapping of Nepal. Government of Nepal, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Department of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kafle, K. R. (2010). Slope mass rating in Middle Mountain of Nepal: A case study on landslide at Rabi VDC, Opi village, Kavre. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 6, 28–38.
Krahenbuhl, J., & Wagner, A. (1983). Survey, design, and construction of trail suspension bridges for remote areas. SKAT, Swiss Center for Appropriate Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Palmstrom, A. (1982). The volumetric joint count—a useful and simple measure of the degree of rock mass jointing. In IAEG Congress, New Delhi (Vol. 221).
Romana, M. (1991). SMR Classification. Presented at the 7th ISRM Congress, International Society for Rock Mechanics.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nepal Society of Engineering Geology (NSEG)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
