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This study examines road cut slope failures in Nepal, highlighting their contribution to landslides and economic losses, and critiques existing design guidelines for their lack of practicality and geotechnical rigor. A participatory approach involving various stakeholders is proposed to develop user-friendly guidelines that incorporate local geological and climatic factors, alongside necessary training and policy reforms. The findings suggest that improved guidelines and practices could significantly enhance road stability and reduce landslide risks in Nepal and similar regions.

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Muhammad Hassan
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4 views

2

This study examines road cut slope failures in Nepal, highlighting their contribution to landslides and economic losses, and critiques existing design guidelines for their lack of practicality and geotechnical rigor. A participatory approach involving various stakeholders is proposed to develop user-friendly guidelines that incorporate local geological and climatic factors, alongside necessary training and policy reforms. The findings suggest that improved guidelines and practices could significantly enhance road stability and reduce landslide risks in Nepal and similar regions.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Comprehensive Explanation of the Participatory Approach to Road Cut Slope Design in Nepal

This study addresses the critical issue of road cut slope failures in Nepal, which contribute significantly to
landslides, economic losses, and societal disruptions. The research employs a participatory approach to
evaluate current road cut slope design guidelines, identify their limitations, and propose improvements
tailored to Nepal’s unique geological and socio-political context. Below is a detailed breakdown of the study’s
key components, findings, and recommendations.

 1. Introduction: The Problem of Road Cut Slope Failures in Nepal


 1.1 Landslides in Nepal
 Nepal experiences over 10% of global rainfall-triggered fatal landslides, despite having less than
0.4% of the world’s population.
 Landslides are caused by:
o Natural factors: Earthquakes (e.g., the 2015 Gorkha earthquake), heavy monsoon rains (80%
of annual rainfall occurs in 4 months).
o Anthropogenic factors: Rapid, poorly planned road construction.
 1.2 Road Cut Slope Failures
 70% of slope failures on Nepal’s roads are due to cut slope instability (Hearn, 2011).
 Road cut slopes are excavated slopes adjacent to roads, often steeper than natural topography.
 Failures lead to:
o Blocked roads (disrupting transport, emergency services, and trade).
o Damage to infrastructure and loss of life.
 1.3 Limitations of Current Guidelines
Existing guidelines for designing cut slopes (e.g., Nepal Road Standards 2070) suffer from:
1. Lack of geotechnical rigor: Do not account for groundwater, material strength, or slope height.
2. Inconsistencies: Different guidelines recommend conflicting slope angles.
3. Poor usability: Complex, not field-friendly, lack training for engineers.
4. Ignored in practice: Engineers often use rule-of-thumb methods due to constraints like land
acquisition issues.

 2. Research Methodology: A Participatory Approach


 2.1 Why Participatory Research?
 Ensures guidelines are practical and usable by involving stakeholders (engineers, policymakers,
academics).
 Aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), which emphasizes inclusive,
multi-sectoral risk management.
 2.2 Data Collection Methods
The study used mixed qualitative methods:
1. Workshop (34 participants): Federal/local engineers, consultants, academics.
2. Focus groups (2 sessions): Local government engineers.
3. Interviews (11 total):
o Semi-structured (6): Guided discussions with consultants, government engineers.
o Unstructured (5): Open-ended conversations.
4. Questionnaires (19 responses): Federal/local engineers.
 2.3 Thematic Analysis
Data was analyzed under four themes:
1. Guideline Use: How and when guidelines are applied.
2. General Slope Stability Practices: Common engineering approaches.
3. Opinions on Guidelines: Strengths and weaknesses.
4. Suggested Improvements: How to enhance guidelines.

 3. Key Findings
 3.1 Theme 1: Guideline Use
 Federal engineers mostly use guidelines (Nepal Road Standards 2070).
 Local engineers often rely on rule-of-thumb due to:
o Land acquisition issues: Cannot compensate landowners for wider, safer slopes.
o Lack of training on guideline application.
 Inconsistencies: Different guidelines recommend varying slope angles (e.g., 35° vs. 63° for soft rock).
 3.2 Theme 2: General Slope Stability Practices
 Geotechnical investigations are rare due to cost and time constraints.
 Groundwater is often ignored (only 4/19 engineers always consider it).
 Material misclassification: Engineers lack geological training, leading to incorrect slope designs.
 Contractors cut corners: Prioritize cost savings over stability.
 3.3 Theme 3: Opinions on Guidelines
 Hard to use in the field: Descriptions are unclear, formats are inaccessible.
 Lack training and advocacy: Engineers are not taught how to apply guidelines.
 No standards for spoil disposal: Excavated material is dumped downhill, worsening instability.
 No consideration of groundwater: Critical for Nepal’s monsoon-driven landslides.
 3.4 Theme 4: Suggested Improvements
1. User-friendly guidelines:
o Simple, visual aids (diagrams, photos).
o Field-friendly formats (e.g., mobile apps).
2. Incorporate critical factors:
o Groundwater, vegetation, slope layers.
o Nepal-specific geology and climate.
3. Training programs:
o For engineers, contractors, and construction workers.
4. Policy and enforcement:
o Clear land acquisition protocols.
o Quality assurance checks to prevent contractor negligence.
5. Multiple guideline versions:
o Tailored for federal vs. local engineers.

 4. Proposed Solutions & Next Steps


 4.1 New Guideline Development
A collaboration between Durham University (UK) and Tribhuvan University (Nepal) will develop local
government-focused guidelines with:
1. Field-based characterization: Simple tests to classify slope materials.
2. Numerical stability analyses: For different geological zones.
3. Groundwater integration: Without requiring expensive tests.
4. Spoil disposal standards: Diagrams showing safe disposal methods.
 4.2 Policy Recommendations
1. Land acquisition reforms:
o Compensation mechanisms for landowners.
o Legal protocols for slope excavation.
2. Contractor accountability:
o Mandatory quality assurance checks.
3. Political will:
o Shift focus from road expansion to slope stabilization.
o Avoid using roads as political bargaining tools.
 4.3 Training & Advocacy
 University integration: Include slope stability in geotechnical engineering curricula.
 Field training: For engineers and construction workers.
 Awareness campaigns: Highlight economic benefits of stable slopes.

 5. Broader Implications
 5.1 Applicability to Other Countries
 Similar issues exist in Bhutan, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia.
 Participatory approaches can be replicated to tailor guidelines.
 5.2 Interdisciplinary Challenges
 Geopolitical influences (e.g., road construction for electoral gains) must be addressed.
 Communication gaps between engineers, policymakers, and communities need bridging.
 6. Conclusion
 6.1 Key Takeaways
1. Current guidelines are inadequate: Unused due to complexity, inconsistency, and lack of training.
2. Local engineers face constraints: Land acquisition, budget limitations.
3. New guidelines must be:
o Simple, field-friendly, and Nepal-specific.
o Supported by training and policy enforcement.
 6.2 Future Research Directions
1. Political influences on road construction:
o How election cycles affect road projects.
2. Stakeholder coordination:
o Better communication between engineers, policymakers, and communities.
3. Interdisciplinary frameworks:
o Integrating engineering, geology, and social science.

 Final Thoughts
This study highlights the urgent need for improved, participatory guidelines to mitigate road cut slope failures
in Nepal. By combining technical rigor with practical usability and policy enforcement, Nepal can enhance
road resilience, reduce landslides, and safeguard communities. The lessons learned are globally relevant,
especially for mountainous, landslide-prone regions.
Would you like a deeper dive into any specific section, such as the geotechnical aspects or policy
recommendations?

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