EARTH HAZARD
CE 72507
Course Objectives:
The main objective of the course is to provide knowledge on various types of Earth Hazard and their process and assessment in order to be capable of appreciating their effects on infrastructures when the students design engineering structures. At the end of the course the students will be able to

  • Differentiate the types of Earth Hazard
  • State geological processes of various types of Earth Hazards
  • Analyse the Causes, Mechanisms and effects of earth hazards
  • Classify and prepare hazard maps for different types of Earth Hazards
  • Introduction to Earth Hazards
    (4 hours)
    • Concepts on Danger, Hazard, Risk and Disaster: Methods Assessment, Implications in engineering structure and designs,Geomorphological subdivision of the Himalayas, and their specific hazards, Introduction to factors controlling earth hazards: geological, hydrological, land use and groundwater
  • Geological Factors Controlling Natural Hazards
    (8 hours)
    • Geological structures: Classification and nomenclature of folds, fractures, joints and faults; fault zone topography, Basics of rock and soil mechanics, Strength of rock and rock masses, Structure and failure mechanics in rocks.
  • Glacial and Flood Hazards
    (7 hours)
    • Flow regime, Sediment erosion, transportation and deposition, glacial landforms, glacial lakes and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, Flood and debris flow, Definitions, Sedimentation, flood routing and assessment and predictions of flood damages.
  • Earthquakes
    (4 hours)
    • Definition, nature and motion, intensity and magnitude, intensity scale, Causes and distribution in the Himalayan reason, Earthquake intensity distribution maps, Introduction to seismic hazards assessments.
  • Earth Mass Movement Hazards
    (10 hours)
    • Definition of landslide, mass movement, and mass wasting, Parts of the mass movement, Varnes' classification of mass movements, Description of main landslide types, Landslide Hazard Analysis- Ground investigation, sampling, laboratory testing techniques; Application of bio-engineering in slope stabilization.
  • Techniques and Application of Hazard Mapping in the Field
    (12 hours)
    • Criteria for identification of Earth Hazards in the field, Identification of hazard features, Direct and Indirect Mapping, Use of remote sensing (Aerial photographs and Satellite imageries) and Geographic Information System tools in hazard mapping, Application of hazard maps in planning and designing of engineering infrastructures.

Tutorial:
Detail analysis of Landslide hazard.
Practical:

  • Landslide Mapping in the Field:
    • Map the site.
    • Find out the causes and mechanism of failure.
    • Prepare the proposal for the treatment.
  • Identification of Earth Hazard in the Field.
    • Identification of features
    • Direct mapping
    • Interpretation of Hazard Maps

Note: 15 hours in the field and 7.5 hours report presentation
Reference:

  • Deoja B., Dhital M. , and Thapa B, "Mountain Risk Engineering Handbook, Vol 1 and 2", ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal 875pp.
  • YBDRO , " Mitigating Natural Disaster: Phenomira Effect and Options, a Manual for Policy Makers and Planners", United Nations. New York, 164PP.
  • Terzaghi, k. peck, R.B., "Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice", John Wiley and Sons Inc. 729pp.
  • Linsley, Kohler Penehus, "Hydrology for Engineers", Mc. Graw-Hill.
  • Department of Roads, " Bioengineering for Road Engineer's Training Module Vol 1 and 2", DOR/HMG Nepal, 1227pp.
  • Brunsden Prior (Editors), "Slope Instability"

Evaluation Scheme:
The questions will cover all the chapters in the syllabus. The evaluation scheme will be as indicated in the table below:

Chapter

Hours

Marks Distribution*

1

4

8

2

8

12

3

7

12

4

4

8

5

10

20

6

12

20

Total

45

80

*There could be minor deviation in mark distribution.

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