Stability analysis of rock slope along selected road sections from Gutane Migiru town to Fincha sugar factory, Oromiya, Ethiopia

Abstract

The slope instability was one of the common problems along the road that connects Gutane Migiru town to Fincha sugar factory, Western Ethiopia. The effect of the problem was intense mostly; during the rainy season, that triggers different modes of rock slope failure. As a result, the road was frequently damaged and blocked by the failed rock that in turn hinders the traffic activities. Thus, this study aimed at stability analyses of the critical slope sections using kinematic and limit equilibrium methods (LEM). The estimation of the most important input parameter in LEM analyses like cohesion and friction angle along the failure plane is often intricate and cumbersome. Hence, this paper used Rocscience software to effortlessly and instantly compute cohesion and friction angle along specific failure planes and then to carry out kinematic and LEM analyses. Besides, the strength of the intact rock was determined by the Schmidt hammer in the field and point load laboratory test. According to the kinematic analysis result, the wedge mode of rock slope failure occurred at slope sections D1S2 and D1S3 though the planar mode of failure occurred at slope sections D1S4 and D4S1. The factor of safety determined under all anticipated conditions became less than and greater than one at slope sections D1S2, D1S3, D1S4, and D4S1, and this depicts an unstable and stable slope, respectively. From the analysis result, the combined effect of rainfall, steepness of the slope dip, and joint set was the main factors that caused the slope insatiability.

Slope stability assessment in the seismically and landslide-prone road segment of Gerese to Belta, Rift Valley, Ethiopia

“…The term slope stability refers to the ability of an inclined slope to hold its own weight and external forces without experiencing any displacement, and it also refers to the potential of a naturally occurring slope or one that has been engineered to resist ground movement. Slope instability is a common and challenging problem worldwide, especially for civil engineering structures like roads, tunnels, dams, open-pit mines, and even the nature of the earth itself [ 1 ]. Ethiopia is one of the countries where slope instability is common in surfaces and bedrock in most plateau areas, including the north, south, and west [ 2 ].…”

Evaluation and stability assessment of road cut slope at Bhalupahad of Syangja District along Siddhartha Highway; Western Nepal

“…Hills and mountains of the world frequently face slope instabilities. So, attention has been paid to solving these problems, and several studies have been conducted worldwide [1]. Nepal also faces the problem each year, causing huge loss of lives and property.…”