Engineering Geological Study and Slope Stability Analysis along the Kanti-Rajpath from Chun Danda to the Simat Khola, Central Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64862/ajeg.2025.201.03Keywords:
FEM-based cut slope stability, Kanti Rajpath, Engineering geological mapAbstract
Stability analysis of the cut slope of a road section is necessary to prevent damage to the road and the surrounding environment. The study encompasses engineering geological assessment, the cut and fill slope failure analysis of the road section of the Kanti-Rajpath from Chun Danda to the Simat Khola, Makwanpur. Four different cut and downslope critical slopes were selected to represent the overall road section for stability modeling. Four slopes were chosen based on high cut-angle, lithology and visible slope instability to represent the range of conditions along the alignment. The maximum 1-day monsoon rainfall data was used for seepage modeling using the FEM-based software SEEP/W and stability analysis to calculate the Factor of Safety (FOS) using SLOPE/W software of GeoStudio package. The results indicate that the slope appears to be marginally stable to unstable under the given rainfall condition. Our results indicate FOS values of 0.78–1.9, underscoring the need for drainage and slope-angle control. Approximately 7 km of the 20 km road section, especially at the gully portions which are highly vulnerable, needs to be managed. Since the highway serves a direct connection between the capital and the Terai, slope management of this road section is critical for the nation’s economic growth.
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