Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference

December 22-24, 2013,Roorkee

ROCKFALL MITIGATION ON NH 22 A CASE STUDY

U.K.Guru Vittal, Head, Geotechnical Engg Division, CSIRCRRI, New Delhi 110025 (vittal.crri@gmail.com)
P.S. Prasad, Senior Scientist, CSIR CRRI, New Delhi - 110025 (pulikanti@gmail.com)
Kishore Kumar, Chief Scientist, CSIR CRRI, New Delhi 110025 (kishornhrm@gmail.com)
Sudhir Mathur, Chief Scientist, CSIR CRRI, New Delhi 110025 (sudhirmathur.crri@nic.in)
ABSTRACT: ZirakpurParwanoo Road (NH 22) is about 17.5 long. This road is a new alignment in hilly areas
where height of the embankment is up to 20m at few spots and the slope cutting is up to 25m. Geologically the
alignment of this road has mainly shale, slate, sand stone, conglomerate and to small extent quartzite. Prominent
weathering is observed in shale, slates and sand stone. Suitable slope protection measures are required in slope
cutting sections to prevent occurrence of rockfall/ landslide. This paper provides details regarding designing of
remedial measures at one of the problematic location between km 63+000 to km 64+000.

INTRODUCTION
The Zirakpur-Parwanoo stretch of NH 22 connects
the states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal
Pradesh. This road (also known as Himalayan
Expressway) has a length of 17.5 km. This is a new
alignment and has been constructed in hilly terrain
involving high embankment construction and deep
slope cutting. The maximum height of the
embankment is 20m and the depth of cutting is up
to 25m. Geologically the area comes under
Siwaliks. Rocks in the area comprise of mainly
shale, slate, sand stone, conglomerate and to small
extent quartzite. These rocks are high to
moderately fractured and weathered. This road
stretch experiences the slope instability and
rockfall at few locations. Typical problematic
location is shown in Photo1. Slope is very unstable
due to fragmented nature of rock mixed with soil
and steep slope. This paper is intended to highlight
the outcome of the study for design of suitable
remedial measures for rockfall prevention at one
such location.
SITE DESCRIPTION
Chainage km 63+100 to km 63+300
The slope at km 63+100 is shown in Photo 2. The
angle of the slope varies from 450 to 500. Shale
and sand stone layers are observed along with silty
clay with small pebbles/boulders. Weathered shale
strata overlaps shale layer which is relatively in

good condition. Seepage points ware observed

along the toe of the slope (Photo 3).

Photo 1 Rockfall at the problematic location

Chainage km 63+300 to km 63+400
Failure of cut slope leading to damage of masonry
wall had occurred at this location as shown in
Photo 4. An upheaval had taken place in the road
portion and the existing masonry wall had been
displaced. The height of the cut varies from 15 m
to 25 m.
Chainage km 63+400 to km 63+700
The road alignment at this location is through a
forested area. Highly weathered and fragmented
shale rock was observed in the hill cut slope.

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U.K. Guru Vittal, P. S. Prasad, Kishore Kumar & Sudhir Mathur

The hill cut slope height is considerable (about 15

to 30 m) at this location. Slope at this location was
observed to be largely dry. Slope is very unstable
due to fragmented nature of rock mixed with soil
and steep slope. Exposed rock strata has valley
ward dipping joints at about 50 (Photo 5). During
monsoon when friction between the joints reduces
due to saturation of in filled material, the slopes
may have the tendency to slip along the bedding
planes.

Photo 2 Hill cut slope at km 63+100

Photo 5 Exposed rock strata dipping towards road

Photo 3 Seepage point at toe of the slope

Photo 4 Damaged retaining wall

Chainage km 63+700 to 64+000

The existing cut slopes were steep and the depth of
cutting varies from about 20 to 30 m (photo 6). The
slope is largely dry. Entire slope here is made up of
fragmented rocks mixed with soil. Sand stones,
loose rock pieces, soil, weathered shale are all
mixed up and it is in an unconsolidated state.

Photo 6 Cut slope at km 64+000

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Rockfall mitigation on NH 22 A case study

PROPERTIES OF IN-SITU SOIL

Major part of the hill cut slope from km 63+100 to
64+000 comprises of fragmented rock mixed with
soil. In-situ density tests were carried out to
determine the bulk density and field moisture
content (FMC). These tests were conducted at
different locations. Soil samples were also
collected during field work and laboratory test
were carried out as per IS codes of practice. The
bulk density of the soil at km 63+760 is 21kN/m3
and the natural moisture content is 16 per cent. The
direct shear test results conducted at average field
dry density value (at both field moisture content
and saturated condition) showed that cohesion, c
values varied from 10 kPa to 24 kPa and angle of
internal friction () varied from 190 to 260. The
results of the laboratory tests are given in Table 1,
2 and 3.

0.96 (Saturated condition) to 1.1 (Dry condition) at

km 63+870. The stability analysis shows that the
slope is stable in dry condition, but it may fail
when the slope is partially saturated.
Table 4 Parameters for stability analysis
Material
C

b
(kPa)
(kN/m3)
Top Soil layer
10
220
21
Weathered Shale
33
220
17.0
Sand and Boulder mix
0
320
22.0
Retaining wall backfill
0
300
21.0

Table 1 Grain size analysis of soil samples

Chainage
Grain Size analysis
Gravel Sand Silt
Clay
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
63+040
25
36
32
7
63+760
32
33
28
7
Figure 1 Typical cross section at km 63+870
Table 2 Atterbergs limits of soil samples
Chainage
LL (%)
PL (%)
PI
63+040
24.0
13.5
10.5
63+760
26.0
13.0
13.0
Table 3 Shear strength properties of samples
Chainage
Testing
c

Condition
kPa
(degree)
63+040
FMC
24
26
63+040
Saturated
14
19
63+760
FMC
10
22
63+760
Saturated
11
20
SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS
The parameters considered for the stability analysis
are given in Table 4. Typical cross section at km
63+870 is shown in Figure 1. The stability analysis
of the slope was carried out by using software. This
road alignment falls in Zone IV as per Seismic
Susceptibility Map of India. Hence, appropriate
earthquake factors were included in the analysis.
The factor of safety (FOS) of slope varies from

REMEDIAL MEASURES
For the stability of the slope, 10 m high RCC
retaining was been proposed at the toe of the slope.
The existing slope along with the proposed RCC
wall was analysed by using software (Fig 2). The
FOS of the slope with RCC wall is about 1.45. The
stability analysis showed that the slope would be
stable even in saturated condition.

Figure 2 Stability analysis with RCC wall

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U.K. Guru Vittal, P. S. Prasad, Kishore Kumar & Sudhir Mathur

The following remedial measures were suggested

for prevention of rockfall and erosion control on
slopes:
(1) ISMB fencing of 1.5 m height is to be
provided over the top of RCC retaining wall
for a length of 200 m in this stretch. The
fencing should be embedded in 0.75 m high
concrete bedding layer placed over the RCC
retaining wall and height of the fencing over
the concrete bedding should be 1.5 m. At
other locations, concrete cladding or stone
masonry retaining wall (2 to 3 height) was
proposed.
(2) For Rockfall prevention chain link mesh /
steel rope net should be laid on the slope at
locations where exposed rock was seen and it
should be anchored with nails. Chain link
mesh should comprise of steel rope net /
cable panel having rope/cable diameter of 12
mm and opening size 400 mm x 400 mm
with high strength wire knot connection.
(3)
Elaborate drainage arrangement by way of a
lined drain at top of catch bench and
perforated pipe drain at bottom, embedded in
filter layer have been proposed. A catch drain
at the top of the slope has also been provided
to prevent likely saturation of slope in case of
heavy rains.
(4) Provision of polymeric geogrids/ polymeric
netting/ jute or coir netting along with turfing
over the areas where hill cutting has been
made exposing barren soil strata, for
promoting vegetation growth.
(5) ISMB fencing and chain link mesh (steel
rope net) require regular maintenance to
remove collected debris. If the debris are not
removed periodically, chain link mesh/
fencing may eventually break and fail.
Maintenance of drains and drainage system is
another important activity to ensure that runoff water does not infiltrate into sub-soil.

(6)

Permanent observation points should be

established on the slopes and these points
should be regularly monitored during service
life (operational period of the road, especially
during rainy season) through accurate
surveying techniques to ensure that there is
no hill slope movement.

CONCLUSIONS
Since right of way is restricted to 30 m and a deep
cutting is required to achieve the finished road top
level, flattening of slope, which would have been
the best option, was not feasible in this project.
RCC retaining wall of 10 m height was proposed to
be provided along with 1.5 m high ISMB fencing
above the wall. The available bench along with
parapet will act as a catch bench for trapping any
earth slide/ rockfall from this slope. Also, material
on the catch bench will provide toe support to the
existing steep slope. The recommendations have
been implemented by project authorities and road
has been opened to traffic recently.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This paper has been published with the kind
permission of Dr.S.Gangopadhyay, Director,
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute. Authors are
grateful to colleagues of Geotechnical Engineering
Division, who contributed in the investigations and
preparation of report. The authors are also thankful
to Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (Himalayan
Expressway Ltd.) for sponsoring this project.
REFERENCES
CRRI (2011), Report on Validation of slope
protection of Zirakpur Parwanoo Four Laning
project ( Himalayan Expressway) CSIR - Central
Road Research Institute, New Delhi.

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