Kinematic and Numerical Stability Analysis of Landslide-Prone Slopes Selected from Susceptibility Mapping along the Malekhu–Mugling Section of Prithvi Highway, Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64862/Keywords:
Landslide susceptibility, Kinematic analysis, Rock slope stability, Finite element method, Limit equilibrium method, Prithvi highwayAbstract
The Malekhu–Mugling section of the Prithvi Highway traverses’ steep terrain where road-cut slopes are susceptible to instability. This study evaluates landslide-prone slopes using kinematic and numerical methods after preparing a GIS-based landslide susceptibility map. A landslide inventory was developed from field reconnaissance and Google Earth, and the frequency ratio (FR) method with fourteen conditioning factors generated a Landslide Susceptibility Index and five susceptibility classes. The model achieved AUC values of 0.774 for the success rate and 0.857 for the prediction rate. Five slopes were selected based on susceptibility, accessibility, and engineering relevance. Total-station surveys provided slope geometry, while discontinuity orientations and rock-mass information supported kinematic analysis in Dips. Planar, wedge, and flexural-toppling mechanisms were evaluated. Numerical stability was assessed using the finite element method (FEM) in PLAXIS 2D and Phase2 and the limit equilibrium method (LEM) in Slide using Janbu and GLE approaches. Wedge sliding was prominent at L2 and L3, while flexural toppling was pronounced at L5. Factors of safety (FoS) ranged from 2.424–5.813 in PLAXIS 2D, 2.460–6.720 in Phase2, 2.549–6.078 using Janbu, and 2.783–6.599 using GLE. The findings highlight susceptibility mapping followed by structural and numerical analysis for highway slope stability.
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