Abstract
The paper highlights the geotechnical attributes of Quaternary stratified sediments in Trans-Himalayan zone around the Nubra Valley (Ladakh), India for classifying the sediment’s sequences and characterizing their participation in natural hazards susceptibility and mitigation measures. The study is based on the experimental works performed on collected samples of sediments at different sites and depths (1.5 to 5.5 m) of sequences for determination of grain size sensitive parameters and geotechnical characteristics as per American Society for Testing and Materials standard and with help of empirical relationships. The results reveal that the majority of sediments are bimodal distributed with wide variation in uniformity coefficients (1.84-5.0), low variation in coefficient of curvatures (0.5-0.61) and sorting coefficient (1.12-1.69) exhibit wide range of shear strengths (25 kPa to 130 kPa), cohesions (0.02-0.13 kg/cm2) and angles of internal frictions (36°- 45°) which may be due to distinct differences in their densities, void ratios, liquid and plastic limits. Based on geotechnical values, the sediments strata can be categorized as foot-hill debris zone, normal sediment (soil) zone and active sediment (soil) zone. The foot-hill debris zone is found more prone to masswasting due to influence of gravity and their low binding habits. The active sediment (soil) zone exhibits lower shear strengths and cohesions in comparison to normal sediments due to higher liquid and plastic limits of sediments exposed to freezing and thawing actions. This zone is found more susceptible to slope instabilities and differential settlements hazards, hence requires specific care during engineering establishments and mitigation measures in the valley.
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Dubey, R.K., Dar, J.A. & Satyam, G.P. Geotechnical Facets of Active Sediments and its Bearing on Natural Hazards and Mitigation Measures: An Approach on Sediments of the Nubra Valley (Ladakh), Trans-Himalaya, India. J Geol Soc India 92, 704–712 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-018-1091-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-018-1091-7