Methodology of Studies for Construction of Water Reservoir Dams in Countries Prone to Landslide Hazard
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-01-016Keywords:
Landslide, Water Reservoir, SLOPE/W, Morgenstern-Price Method, Spenser Method, Slope Stability, Seismic Resistance.Abstract
Construction of water reservoirs often has significant geomorphological and environmental impacts, particularly in regions prone to landslides. This study addresses the critical issue of slope stability in the context of the construction of a planned water reservoir in Astghadzor, Gegharkunik Marz, Armenia. The primary objectives are to investigate the stability of slopes, identify potential landslide triggers, and evaluate seismic impacts using advanced numerical modeling techniques. GeoStudio SLOPE/W software was employed, with calculations performed using the Morgenstern-Price and Spencer methods, which ensure rigorous equilibrium conditions for mountainous terrains. Field investigations and laboratory tests provided input data, forming an engineering-geology model for the analysis. The results reveal that the slopes remain stable under static loading conditions; however, seismic loading renders them unstable, particularly in soils related to Category III. Stability factors decrease by approximately 68% under adverse soil conditions. These findings underline the necessity for incorporating advanced stabilization measures and soil-specific interventions into the design of water reservoir dams. This study contributes to optimizing design methodologies, improving the safety of reservoirs, and guiding future research in landslide-prone and geologically challenging regions.
Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-01-016
Full Text: PDF
References
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[23] Lalicata, L. M., Bressan, A., Pittaluga, S., Tamellini, L., & Gallipoli, D. (2024). An Efficient Slope Stability Algorithm with Physically Consistent Parametrisation of Slip Surfaces. International Journal of Civil Engineering. doi:10.1007/s40999-024-01053-1.
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[31] SNiP 2.01.15-90. (1990). Engineering protection of territories, buildings and structures from hazardous geological phenomena. Principal provisions of design: State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Construction, Moscow, Russia. (In Russian).
[2] World Bank Group. (2020). Climate Change Knowledge Portal Armenia. World bank Group, Washington, United States.
[3] Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). (2005). Technical Bulletin on Landslides in Armenia. Volume I: Landslides in Armenia. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo, Japan.
[4] Matossian, A., Baghdasaryan, H., Avagyan, A., Igityan, H., Gevorgyan, M., & Havenith, H.-B. (2020). A New Landslide Inventory for the Armenian Lesser Caucasus: Slope Failure Morphologies and Seismotectonic Influences on Large Landslides. Geosciences, 10(3), 111. doi:10.3390/geosciences10030111.
[5] Matossian, A. O., Baghdasaryan, H., Avagyan, A., Igityan, H., Gevorgyan, M., & Havenith, H. B. (2020). A new landslide inventory for the armenian lesser caucasus: Slope failure morphologies and seismotectonic influences on large landslides. Geosciences (Switzerland), 10(3). doi:10.3390/geosciences10030111.
[6] Sokolovskiy V.V. (1960). Statics of loose media. Fizmatgiz, Moscow, Russia. (In Russian).
[7] Sobolevsky Y. A. (1975). Water-saturated slopes and foundations. Higher school, Minsk, Belarus.
[8] Morgenstern, N. R., & Price, V. E. (1965). The Analysis of the Stability of General Slip Surfaces. Géotechnique, 15(1), 79–93. doi:10.1680/geot.1965.15.1.79.
[9] Ouyang, W., Liu, S. W., & Yang, Y. (2022). An improved Morgenstern-price method using Gaussian quadrature. Computers and Geotechnics, 148. doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2022.104754.
[10] Alok, A., Burman, A., Samui, P., R. Kaloop, M., & Eldessouki, M. (2024). A Generalized Limit Equilibrium-Based Platform Incorporating Simplified Bishop, Janbu and Morgenstern–Price Methods for Soil Slope Stability Problems. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2024, 1–16. doi:10.1155/2024/3053923.
[11] Spencer, E. (1973). Thrust line criterion in embankment stability analysis. Geotechnique, 23(1), 85–100. doi:10.1680/geot.1973.23.1.85.
[12] Matthews, C., Farook, Z., & Helm, P. (2014). Slope stability analysis–limit equilibrium or the finite element method. Ground Engineering, 48(5), 22-2.
[13] Sobhan, K & Das, B. M. (2012). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering (8th Ed.). Cengage, Boston, United States.
[14] NORGEO LLC. (2023). Engineering-Geological Investigation Report on the 'Preliminary Project Documentation Services for the Construction of the Astghadzor Reservoir in Gegharkunik Region. NORGEO LLC, Yerevan, Armenia.
[15] NORGEO LLC. (2023). Report on the 'Engineering-Geological Properties Study of 4 Samples Taken from Boreholes in the Area of the Planned Reservoir in Astghadzor Village. NORGEO LLC, Yerevan, Armenia.
[16] Zhang, Y., & Ding, J. (2019). Stability Analysis of Slopes on Both Sides of Highway in Geotechnical Area under Rainfall Conditions. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 384(1), 12076. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/384/1/012076.
[17] Havenith, H. B. (2022). Recent earthquake-triggered landslide events in Central Asia, evidence of seismic landslides in the lesser Caucasus and the Carpathians. Coseismic Landslides: Phenomena, Long-Term Effects and Mitigation. Springer Nature, Singapore. doi:10.1007/978-981-19-6597-5_5.
[18] Rotaru, A., Bejan, F., & Almohamad, D. (2022). Sustainable Slope Stability Analysis: A Critical Study on Methods. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(14), 8847. doi:10.3390/su14148847.
[19] Wang, Y., Li, Y., & Chen, J. (2023). Comprehensive Analysis Method of Slope Stability Based on the Limit Equilibrium and Finite Element Methods and Its Application. Open Journal of Civil Engineering, 13(04), 555–571. doi:10.4236/ojce.2023.134040.
[20] Liu, S. Y., Shao, L. T., & Li, H. J. (2015). Slope stability analysis using the limit equilibrium method and two finite element methods. Computers and Geotechnics, 63, 291–298. doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2014.10.008.
[21] Liu, Y., Yang, Y., & Hu, A. (2024). Stability analysis of loess slope combined with limit equilibrium method under different rainfall intensities. Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences, 9(1), 1-22. doi:10.2478/amns.2023.2.01384.
[22] Cheng, Y. M., Lansivaara, T., & Wei, W. B. (2007). Two-dimensional slope stability analysis by limit equilibrium and strength reduction methods. Computers and Geotechnics, 34(3), 137-150. doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2006.10.011.
[23] Lalicata, L. M., Bressan, A., Pittaluga, S., Tamellini, L., & Gallipoli, D. (2024). An Efficient Slope Stability Algorithm with Physically Consistent Parametrisation of Slip Surfaces. International Journal of Civil Engineering. doi:10.1007/s40999-024-01053-1.
[24] Stewart, R., & Peterson, W. (1917). Origin of Alkali. US Government Printing Office, California, United States.
[25] Fellenius, W. (1936). Calculation of the stability of earth dams. Second Congress on Large Dams, 7-12 September, 1936, Washington, United States.
[26] Bishop, A. W. (1955). The use of the Slip Circle in the Stability Analysis of Slopes. Géotechnique, 5(1), 7–17. doi:10.1680/geot.1955.5.1.7.
[27] Krey, G. (1932). The theory of earth pressure and soil resistance load. Gosstroyizdat, Leningrad, Moscow, Russia.
[28] Florin, V. A. (1961). Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics. Gosstroyizdat, Leningrad, Moscow, Russia (In Russian).
[29] Tertsagi K. (1961). Theory of Soil Mechanics. Gosstroyizdat, Leningrad, Moscow, Russia.
[30] RABC 20.04-2020. (2020). Earthquake Resistant Construction. Design Codes. Republic of Armenia Building, Yerevan, Armenia.
[31] SNiP 2.01.15-90. (1990). Engineering protection of territories, buildings and structures from hazardous geological phenomena. Principal provisions of design: State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Construction, Moscow, Russia. (In Russian).
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