Engineering Geological and Geotechnical Studies of Taprang Landslide, West-central Nepal: An Approach for Slope Stability Analysis

Detailed investigation of Taprang landslide was carried out in order tounderstand the surface, subsurface lithological information and physicalproperties of soil by using multi-disciplinary methods such as engineeringgeological, geophysical and geotechnical studies for the determinationof factor of safety for slope stability analysis. Geological study wascarried out by detail mapping of surface geology, soil condition, propertiesof bedrock and its discontinuities. The geophysical survey (ElectricalResistivity Tomography-ERT) were carried out to know the electricalresistivity of soil for identifying the groundwater table and slip surface ofthe landslide. Geotechnical analysis such as grain size analysis, liquid limitand direct shear test were carried out in order to evaluate soil classification,moisture content, cohesion and the angle of internal friction of soil forknowing the strength the soil. These soil parameters indicate the soil is verylow strength. The combination of these results were used for calculatingthe factor of safety (FoS) by Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) proposedby Bishop and Janbu methods. The result of factor of safety in the Tapranglandslide demonstrates that the slope become stable in drained (dry)condition, remain ultimate stage in undrained (wet) condition and finallyfailure occurs if applied the seismic load in both drained and undrainedconditions