FARWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Science & Technology

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Bhimdatta-18, Kanchanpur
Estd: 2010

A Geological Field Work at Malekhu

Dhadhing District -2073

PREPARED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

Group-E Asst. Lect. Durga Awasthi
Captain-Prakash Bhatta Asst. Lect. Ramesh Bohara
BE Civil 2071 Batch Far-Western University
Group Members:

S.N. Name of Students Roll No

1 Prakash Badu 733032
2 Prakash Bhatta(C) 733033
3 Prakash [Link] 733034
4 Puja Chand 733035
5 Puja Joshi 733036
6 Puskar Ojha 733037
7 Ram Bist 733038
8 Sanjay Khadka 733039

OBJECTIVES

1. Study of river channel morphology and land form developed by

erosional and depositional activity of river.

2. Study and identification of rocks in the field.

3. Study and identification of geological structures (folds, fault,

thrust, joints).

4. Study of rock mass and rock mass classification system.

5. Handling of geological compass and measurement of geological

planes (bedding plane, foliation plane, joint plane, fault plane etc.)

6. Study of mass movement.

7. Study of rock slope stability analysis.

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 First Day 2073/03/5

Location: 1 At the right side bank of Malekhu Khola about 500m

upstream from Malekhu Bridge (Prithvi Highway).

Study and Identification of rocks

Types of Rock:
1. Igneous Rock
2. Sedimentary Rock
3. Metamorphic Rock

How to identify rocks in field?

1. Igneous rock
 Random orientation of minerals and self-interlock
 Have no layers
 Massive and intact

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 2. Sedimentary rock
 Random orientation of sediments and minerals and cemented
by binding materials
 Have beds and bedding

3. Metamorphic rock

 Minerals are in preferred orientation that means minerals are

in parallel arrangement.
 Have foliation plane
 Have rock cleavage
Rock cleavage: tendency of rocks to spilt along certain plane.
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 Types of Rock Cleavage

1. Slaty Cleavage: Rock spilt along plane (smooth) surface.

E.g. Slate, Phyllite etc.

2. Schistocity: Undulated orientation of rock due to

metamorphism.
- Rock spilt along uneven surface.
E.g.: Schist

3. Gneissocity: The rock has alternative bands of light and

dark color minerals.
E.g.: Gneiss

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Study of Rocks in Hand Specimen

Properties Sample 1
Color: White
Texture: Crystalline
Grain size: Medium
Structure: Bedding plane
Sp. Gravity: Medium/high
Acid test or hammer: Reacts with acid
Mineral composition: Calcite
Rock type: Sedimentary
Identification: Limestone

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 Engineering properties
Strength: High
Drill ability: High
Blasticity: High
Uses: Cement industry
Geological Unit: Malekhu Limestone

Location: 2 Approximate 400m upstream from location 1 at the right

bank of Malekhu Khola.

Properties Sample 2
Color: Greenish
Texture: Non-crystalline
Grain size: Fine
Structure: Foliation plane
Specific Gravity: Low
Acid test or Hammer scratch test: Not applicable
Cleavage: Slaty
Mineral composition: Chlorite, Muscovite,
Saricite, Quartz, Biotite
Rock type: Metamorphic
Identification: Phyllite

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 Engineering properties
Strength: Low
Drill ability: High
Blasticity: Low
Uses: Filling, Catch Wall
Geological Unit: Rowbank Formation

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Location 3: Approximate 200m upstream from prev. location (2),

Malekhu Khola at right bank.

Study of Rocks in Hand Specimen

Properties Sample 3
Color: white grey
Texture: Crystalline
Grain size: Medium
Structure: Bedding plane (preferred orientation)
Specific gravity: High
Acid test or hammer scratch test: Hammer test applicable
Mineral composition: Quartz
Rock type: Metamorphic rock
Identification: Quartzite
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Engineering properties
Strength: High
Drill ability: Low
Blasticity: High
Uses: Aggregate, paving floor etc.
Geological unit: Robang Formation

(Note: It is called metamorphic rock due to that its hardness percentage

is greater since bedding plane formation.)

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Location 4: Approximate 30m upstream from location 3 at the right

bank of the Malekhu River.

Study of Geological Structure

Joint: It is a fracture, which is relatively planer along which there has

been little or no obvious displacement parallel to the plane.

The joints were formed almost parallel, which are called a set of joints

Joints are discontinuities in which the component of displacement

parallel to the structures is zero.

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Fault: Fault is defined as the brittle deformation induced fracture where
there has been relative displacement of blocks of rocks. It is a rupture
plane along which the opposite walls are moved each other. The fault is
occurred due to the plate movements, which creates the shear stress.

There are two types of fault:

1. Reverse fault: hanging wall moves upward.

2. Normal fault: hanging wall moves downwards.

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Fold: Bending of layer of rock due to the ductile deformation of rock
type is known as the fold. They are the strata permanently deformed
either by buckling or fracturing, if subjected to stress in a rock mass, and
they cannot resist.

Study of Rocks in Hand Specimen

Properties Sample: 4
Color: Dark Grey
Texture: Non-crystalline
Grain size: Fine to medium
Structure: Foliation plane
Specific gravity: Low to medium
Acid test or hammer test: Not applicable
Mineral composition: Biotite, Chlorite, Clay minerals
Rock type: Metamorphic rock
Identification: Schist

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 Engineering properties
Strength: Low
Drill ability: High
Blasticity: Low
Uses: Gabion Wall, Dry wall construction, Filling
Geological unit: Raduwa Formation

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Location 5: Approximate 75m upstream from location 4, at the right

bank Malekhu Khola.

Properties Sample 5
Color: Black spotted white
Texture: Crystalline
Grain size: Coarse
Structure: Random arrangement
Specific gravity: High
Acid test or hammer scratch test: Not applicable
Mineral composition: Quartz, Feldspar, Biotite,
Muscovite, Tourmaline
Rock type: Igneous rock
Identification: Granite

Xenolith

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Engineering Properties
Strength: High
Drillability: Low
Blasticity: High
Uses: Polished Stone, Aggregate,
Retaining & Beast Walls
Geological unit: Agra Granite

(Note: we find a hard substance different from granite in igneous rock

which is called xenolith.)

At Same Location

Properties Sample 6
Color: Grey-white
Texture: Crystalline
Grain size: Course and medium
Structure: Layer orientation
Specific gravity: High
Acid test or hammer scratch test: Not-applicable
Mineral composition: Playgiodage, Biotite,
Muscovite, Tourmaline
Rock type: Metamorphic rock
Identification: Gneiss

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Engineering properties
Strength: High
Drill ability: Low
Blasticity: High
Uses: Aggregate, Masonry, Gabion Wall
Dimension Stone, Polish Stone
Geological unit: Khulekhani Formation

At Same Location:

Properties Sample 7
Color: White (milky)
Texture: Crystalline
Grain size: Coarse
Structure: Preferred orientation
Specific gravity: High
Acid test or hammer test: Applicable
Mineral composition: Calcite

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Rock type: Metamorphic rock
Identification: Marble

Engineering properties
Strength: High
Drill ability: High
Blasticity: High
Uses: Paving, Flooring
Geological unit: Bhaise Dobhan Formation

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Location 6: At right side bank of Trishuli River about 200m

downstream from suspension bridge near Malekhu Bridge.

Study of river channel morphology

River: A river is defined as the body of running water carrying
sediments which flows along a definite path.

It is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing

towards an ocean, sea.

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 Types of River Channel:
1. Straight River Channel:

 Makes straight path available at steep topography.

 High gradient, high energy also high erosion rate due to
side competent rocks.
 Deep scoring.
 Observed at higher Himalayan region.
 High velocity.
 E.g.- Arun River

2. Meandering River Channel:

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  Makes zigzag path.
 Found at moderate area.
 Moderate gradient, medium energy level
 River strikes one end and returns at another direction.
 Erosion and deposition rate of sediments is comparatively
equal to Straight River.
 High side cutting.
 Channel shifting.
 Observed at lesser Himalayan and mid lands.

3. Braided River

 Single path is diverted into several paths.

 Available at low relief topography.
 Low gradient river area is widened and flow with lower
velocity.
 Deposition rate is higher than erosion rate.
 Many channel bar are observed.
 Channel shifting is prominent.
 Observed at terai region.

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Erosion Landform Developed By River

1. Pot Holes: On regular presence of water erosion makes hole in any

part of rock.

2. Gorges: A gorge is a deep valley with cliffs or other steep rock

formations on each side. It can be formed by a glacier or river,
cutting and forming steep rock on either side.

3. Rock Island: The rock part exposed between the braided channel
due to erosion in river valley

4. Oxbow lake: A former meandering of river eroded at any position

that has separated into a curve lake.

5. Waterfall: A place where running water makes a sheer drop,

usually over a cliff. The rock material is highly eroded at point of
fall.

6. River Valley: The River valley are found V-shaped in the upper
course of the river and are a result of both erosion by river and
weathering.

Depositional Landform Developed by River:

1. Channel bar deposit: where the sediments deposited and
transported at the needle of channel of river. Also called mid-
bar deposit.

2. Point bar deposit: sediments are eroded from one side and
deposited on the next side of the river.

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 Fig: River channel morphology of Trishuli River

3. Side-bar deposit: If the sediments are deposited on the both

side of the river.

4. Flood plain deposit: The landform which are deposited on the

side of river due to flood and forms a plain land while river has
low discharge. Such types of landforms can be eroded during
heavy flood.

5. Terrace deposit: The flood plain deposit after several years is

formed as terrace. It cannot be eroded by maximum flood and
water cannot reach at that place. There we find alluvial soils
that are in rounded shape and colluvium soil that are angular in
shape and formed due to the mass movement.

6. Fan deposit: The flow of water from high gradient erodes the
rock mass and formed as fan shaped. In this case velocity of
stream or river decreased.

7. Delta deposit: The landforms where the sediments are

deposited at the contact of ocean and river or river and small
streams. These landforms are of triangular or delta shaped.
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Types of soil on the basis of Genetic Material:
1. Alluvial Soil: It is loose, unconsolidated sediments, which
has been eroded, reshaped by water in some form, and re-
deposited in a non-marine setting.

2. Colluvium Soil: It loose, fragmented and

unconsolidated sediments that have been deposited at the
base of hill slopes by either rain wash or sheet wash.

3. Residual Soil: If soil is formed by the weathering of

rocks by either physical or chemical agencies .If the
products of rock weathering are still present at the place of
origin, the soil is called Residual Soil.

Engineering significance of river channel morphology

 Site selection
 Availability of construction materials
 Study of hydraulic structure
 Canalization of river

Study of Rocks in Hand Specimen

Properties Sample 8
Color: Grey
Texture: Non-Crystalline
Grain size: Fine
Structure: Foliation Plane
Cleavage: Slaty Cleavage
Specific gravity: Low
Acid test or hammer scratch test: Not applicable
Mineral composition: Chlorite, Biotite, Muscovite, Quartz

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Rock type: Metamorphic rock
Identification: Slate

Engineering properties
Strength: Low
Drillability: High
Blasticity: Low
Uses: Roofing Stone, Paving floor etc.
Geological unit: Banighat Slate

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 Second Day 2073/03/06
Location 7: Approximate 1km towards Kathmandu on Prithvi Highway
from Malekhu Bridge.

Study of Mass Movement

Mass Movement: Mass movement is the process of movement of earth

materials towards downslope, under the influence of gravity, which may
further accelerate by the presence of water.

Types of Mass Movement

1. Slope Failure: Movement of earth materials generally from steep
slope at rapid rate in small scale.

2. Landslide: Movement of large block of earth material along slip

surface at slow rate and large scale. Large mass of rocks and earth
that suddenly and quickly moves down the side of a mountain or
hill.

3. Debris Flow: A debris flow is a moving mass of loose mud, sand,

soil, rock, water and air that travels down a slope under the
influence of gravity.

Slope Failure Mechanism in Rock:

1. Plane Failure: Plane failure of rock slope occurs when a mass of
rock in a slope slides down along a relatively planar failure
surface.

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 Fig: Plane Failure

2. Wedge Failure: Wedge failure of rock slope results when rock

mass slides along two intersecting discontinuities, both of which
dip out of the cut slope at an oblique angle to the cut face, thus
forming a wedge- shaped block.

Fig: Wedge Failure

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 3. Toppling: Toppling failures occur when columns of rock, formed
by steeply dipping discontinuities in the rock rotates about an
essentially fixed point at or near the base of the slope followed by
slippage between the layers.

Fig: Toppling

Mechanism of Mass Movement

FOS: It is the ratio of Resisting Force to driving force.

When,
FOS =1, Equilibrium Condition
FOS <1, Unstable Zone
FOS >1, Stable Zone

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 Fig: Rock mass movement at Parewaghat Pahiro

Signification of Study of Rock Mass Movement

 Site Investigation
 Prediction of landslide and debris flow
 Stability of Rock Mass

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At Location 1:

Handling of Geological Compass and Measurement of

Geological Planes:
What is Geological Compass?
Geological Compass is combination of compass and inclinometer.

Types of Geological Compass:

a. Clinometer Compass: A Clinometer is an instrument for
measuring angles of slope, elevation or depression of an object with
respect to gravity. Since it doesn’t consists the sprit level, it should
level by approximation and may not be accurate.

b. Brunton Compass: A pocket compass used for sighting lines as

well as measuring strike and dip of geologic horizons. It consists of
sprit level and can measure bearing and inclination with relatively
less error.

c. Clar Compass: It can read both inclination and bearing at once.

Relatively easier to handle.

d. Digital Compass: Displays digits as reading. It is very easy to

handle.

Attitude: 3D orientation of Geological plane with reference to north

and horizontal plane.

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Components of Attitude:
a. Strike: The line of inclination between horizontal plane and
inclined plane.

b. Dip: The inclination of direction of plane with reference to north.

c. Dip Amount: Maximum inclination of slope or plane with

reference to horizontal plane.

d. True Dip Amount: Which is exactly perpendicular to strike and it

is maximum inclination of slope.

e. Apparent Dip Amount: The dip other than perpendicular to

direction of strike.

Calculation of Attitude:
The attitude of Limestone formation is
Strike: 171°
Dip amount: 55°
Dip direction: 259°
And Dip direction of Hill slope = 276°
Hill Slope = 51°

Rock mass is the combination of discontinuity and intact of rock.

Properties of Rock Mass
1. Rock type:
1. Sedimentary
2. Igneous
3. Metamorphic
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 2. Rock strength
1. High
2. Medium
3. Low

3. Rock Quality Designation (R.Q.D)

It is expressed in percentage. The expression for RQD has is:
RQD=115-3.3*Jv
Where Jv = Joint volume. I.e. number of joint per unit
volume.

4. Spacing of Discontinuity:
It is expressed in cm and all the discontinuity is taken under
considered area.

5. Persistence (Continuity): Length of discontinuity.

6. Aperture: Width of discontinuities.

1. Tight (<.1cm)
2. Open (expressed in cm, all the data are taken)
3. Wide (>30cm)

7. Infilling Materials: Type of material filled in discontinuities, e.g.

No filling, sand, clay etc.

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 8. Roughness of discontinuity
1. Smooth
2. Rough
3. Undulated

9. Weathering grade
1. Fresh weather (w0)
2. Slightly weathered (w1)
3. Moderately weathered (w2)
4. Highly weathered (w3)
5. Completely weathered (w4)
6. Residual soil (w5)

10. Ground water condition

1. Dry
2. Dripping
3. Seepage
4. Flowing
5. Damp/wet

11. Number of joint set

By using above properties we calculate the rating of rocks. And finally

summing all ratings we find the class of rock.

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By field work following properties and ratings are observed.

Observation Table:

SN Properties Observations Rating

1 Rock type Sedimentary ----------------
2 Rock strength High 12
3 Rock Quality Designation 55.6 13
(R.Q.D)
4 Spacing of discontinuity 8 to 20 mm 8
5 Persistence 2 to 10m 2
6 Aperture 1 to 5mm 1
7 Infilling materials Soft Filling 2
8 Roughness of discontinuity Smooth 1
9 Weathering Slightly (w1) 5
10 Ground water condition Dry 15
11 Number of joint set 18 ---------------
----- Total Rating ----------------------- 59

Total rating belongs to 41- 60, Hence Our specimen is of Class 3rd, i.e.
Fair Rock.

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Location 8: Krishna Bhir, about 10 km west from Malekhu Bazar on
Prithvi Highway.

Study of Rock Slope Stability Analysis

Krishna bhir has received a total facelift of more than 100 major
landslide sites that have been stable since 2003–2004.

Krishna bhir has become unique bioengineering work in the

country, which has given a permanent solution to such a notorious
landslide by Rofa Technique.

Bioengineering combines vegetation — grass, shrubs and trees —

with minor structures such as small dams, walls and drains to
manage water and debris, to protect and stabilize slopes.

Among the plants mainly used in Krishna bhir were primary grass
plants like Kans, Babiyo, Amliso, and Mapiere. Large trees like
Khayer, Bakaino, Bhujetro, Epil and bamboos were also used.

The grasses perform the function of retaining small loose debris,

while shrubs form 'walls' to catch debris. Bamboos strengthen
slopes and remove large quantities of water from the soil.

Some of the broad-leaf plants like Bhujetro can grow in harsh

conditions, even on the rock surface. Apart from strengthening the
slope, their broad leaves also intercept rainfall, minimizing its
impact on the soil surface.

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  Bioengineering can be used to increase slope stability in a variety
of way
 Mechanical Reinforcement
 Controlling Erosion
 Soil Moisture Adjustment
 Reducing Run off.
 Increases Infiltration Ratio.

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  It also includes three cascade drainages for decreasing the velocity
of debris materials. And is managed in such a way that materials
directly thrown out to Trishuli river.

Fig: Cascade Drainage

 Planting of tree and shrub species with due consideration of soil

and moisture conservation to protect land from degradation and
improve the water resources.

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  Jute nets or (bora) are used due to which natural regeneration takes
place on time. It is Placed on slope or degraded land with the help
of the stakes.

Bibliography:
1. Engineering Geology; Duggal/ Pandey/ Rawal
2. Landslide victory: Bioengineering in Nepal - [Link]; Aug 16,
2007
3. Krishna Bhir | Bimala Gurung; Jan 3, 2014
[Link]

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