MANAGING POWERHOUSE BACK SLOPE: A CASE STUDY

S.Bhatnagar* and Ratan Das**

*Chief (Geology), Parbati H.E.Project, Stage-II, NHPC Ltd, Distt Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
**Dy. Manager (Geology) Parbati H.E.Project, Stage-II, NHPC Ltd, Himachal Pradesh
(e-mail bhatnagarsharad2008@gmail.com)

Abstract:
Stability of back slope remains a major concern for safety of surface powerhouses located in
hilly terrain. Many factors such as topography, gradient of the slope , overburden depth,
geological and rock mechanics properties of the rockmass constituting the hill slope, amount of
precipitation & surface run off, design and support of the cut slope, influences the stability of the
slope.
The steep slope composed of weak metabasics, chloritic phyllite and schist rock with variable
joint system, associated with heavy precipitation and poor drainage posed serious slope stability
problem consecutively at the time of powerhouse construction of Parbati .H.E.Project,St-II in
Kullu distt of Himachal Pradesh. Besides providing catch water drains at various levels,
augmenting support system from time to time, installation of cable anchors, effective
instrumentation programme was implemented to stabilize and monitor the health of the back
slope.
1.
Introduction:
Parbati Hydroelectric Project Stage-II (800MW) envisages construction of a 85m high concrete
gravity dam on river Parbati, a left bank tributary of Beas river, near village Barsaini in Kullu
District of Himachal Pradesh. The water is diverted through a 31.5km long HRT. The surface
powerhouse (123m x 47m x 44m) is located on right bank of Sainj river near village Suind,
housing four generating units of 200 MW each. The water from the powerhouse shall be
discharged in river Sainj, another tributary of river Beas, through four small tail race channels.
(Ref Fig: 1 for Layout of the Project).
The other components of the powerhouse complex comprises of 124m high, 17m diameter
underground surge shaft along with surge galleries of length 225m and 175m at lower and upper
level respectively, two 3.5m dia steel lined circular inclined pressure shafts (inclined length
1546m at an angle of 300) and four 2.5m dia penstocks .
2.
Geology of the powerhouse area
The surface powerhouse is proposed on the right bank of Sainj river on a 40m wide multistage
riverine terrace. The back slope of the powerhouse rises steeply (45-50) upto a height of 210m
(EL 1540M) beyond which a break in slope has resulted into relatively gentler slope of 25-30
upto the surge shaft ridge. This slope is under thick slope wash material whereas around the
surge shaft area, the rock is exposed as steep escarpment.
In the powerhouse area, low grade metamorphic rocks of the Green bed member of Banjar
Formation are exposed. The main rock types in this area are metabasics, chlorite phyllite/schist
and quartz chlorite schist. Along the river, the bedrock is overlain by river borne material, slope
wash material and slumped rock mass at few places.

Fig: 1 Layout Plan of Parbati H.E.Project,Stage-II

The rock mass in the power house area is dissected by four prominent joint sets. Based on
surface geological mapping, following rock mass characteristics for power house has been
inferred:
Table :1 Discontinuity details in Powerhouse Area
Average
Spacing Persistence
Aperture
Condition
Remarks
orientation
(mm)
(m)
filling
S1- 070 o/50o 10 to 50
5-6
Tight to
Smooth
Variation in
sheared
undulatory
orientation was
noticed
o
o
S2- 150 /60
50 2000
5
Tight to open
Rough
Valley dipping
20 to 50 mm
undulatory
joint governing
the slope
o
o
S3- 020 /40
5006
Tight to open
Smooth
1000
(2mm)
planar
S4- 285 o/70o 400-1000
5-6
Tight
Smooth
planar
3. Investigations:
Following investigations for the powerhouse were carried out during the DPR stage:
3.1
Sub Surface Exploration:
The powerhouse area was thoroughly investigated by geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling &
drifts. Apart from that rock mechanic tests were also conducted to evaluate the engineering
properties of rockmass.
3.1.1 Geophysical Surveys:
Three seismic profiles namely P23 (profile length=170m), P24 (Profile length=240m and P25
(profile length=130m) were laid on the right bank terrace of Sainj river. These profiles have
established an overburden depth of about 30m below which bedrock comprising of metabasics
(seismic velocity 3500m/sec) has been inferred.
3.1.2 Exploratory Drifts:
To explore the geotechnical parameters of the rock mass in the powerhouse area, two drifts were
excavated at El 1350 M and 1346 M respectively. The drift at El 1350M, is located in the d/s
portion of the powerhouse and is 100m straight with two X-cuts of 20m each in u/s and d/s
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direction. The other drift at El 1346M is in the u/s portion of the powerhouse. On the basis of
geomechanical classification, the prevailing rock mass conditions as inferred from drift are as
under:Table: 2 Geomechanical Classification of Rock Mass from Drift
Drift
Length
Class II
Class III Class IV
Class V
EL.1346M
50 m
16%
62%
18%
4%
EL.1350M 100 m + 20+20m x-cuts
13.5%
35%
50%
1.5%
From the drift data it is apparent that the rock conditions in upstream part are better as compared
to downstream part of the slope. The analysis of the drift data also revealed presence of open
joint planes (2mm to 100mm) of S2 set in the initial reach , as a consequence of which the
rockmass displays partial slumping upto an observed depth of 15 to 20m.However, to
accommodate the powerhouse on in situ rock , rock excavation for a lateral depth of
approximately 75m was required, consequently the slumped zone will get removed and the back
slope of powerhouse would lie in in-situ rock mass, as envisaged in the DPR.
3.1.3 Exploratory Drilling:
One drillhole P-87/1 was drilled for 50m depth at right bank terrace. The bedrock encountered at
depth of 29m which fairly corroborates the geophysical surveys. The bedrock comprises of
moderately jointed quartz chlorite schist. Core recovery ranged between 40 % to 80% in bedrock
and RQD is nil to 35%. Permeability value ranged between 2.4 lugeon and 9.9 lugeon.
Another drillhole DTH-II/101 of 60m depth was drilled at El. 1681.22m, on slope, along
Pressure shaft alignment. The bedrock encountered at depth of 40m .The rock type encountered
is medium strong, slightly to moderately weathered, medium to fine grained metabasics with
quartz chlorite schist.
4.0 Laboratory Rock mechanic test:
The rock mechanic properties of meta-basics were tested in laboratory and the results are as
follows:Table:3 Rockmechanic Properties of rockmass constituting the slope
Parameters
Parallel to foliation
Perpendicular to foliation
Compressive strength
41.06N/mm2
74.19n/mm2
2
Brazilian tensile strength
7.8N/mm
13.5N/mm2
Other geotechnical parameters, for the design consideration are detailed as follows:
Parameters
Metabasics
Chlorite schist-phyllite
o
o
Friction Angle, ( )
33
24o
Cohesion, MPa
3.0
0.5
Youngs Modulus,GPa
3.0
1.0
Poissons Ratio
0.30
0.30
5.0 Geology Encountered during excavation
The powerhouse excavation has been carried out in metavolcanics with bands (1m to 7m) of
chlorite schist. The foliation has shown wide variations due to local warping. Joint openings of
the order of 1-50cm were noticed along the S1 & S2 joints. From upstream to downstream, the
entire powerhouse slope has been divided in -6 to + 30RD segment. The straight portion between
RD +24m and u/s (+8) has been cut sub-perpendicular to the foliation whereas the section
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between RD+24 to RD +30, i.e. in the d/s curved portion, the cut faces are sub parallel to the
foliation planes. The rock mass condition in the curved portion mainly comprised of slightly to
moderately weathered chlorite schist. At many places 5-20cm thick bands of chlorite schist with
clay were encountered. Grouting was carried out to improve the ground condition, however with
partial success, as the grout intake was small. The seepage conditions were mostly dry to moist
in this portion. The weathering index was also increasing towards the downstream end so much
so that it was difficult to decide whether to put this area in overburden or rock. Though the rock
mass structures were visible but for civil engineering purposes it was similar to overburden.
Nevertheless, the rock conditions in the central portion were comparatively better.
5.1 Powerhouse Excavation and Rock Support/reinforcement methodology:
The excavation of powerhouse cut slope was designed in steps of 15 m with berm width of 4m.
The excavation was proposed at EL.1417M with cut line at El. 1423M. The support was 9m
long, 36 mm rock anchors at 3m c/c on top row and 6m long 25 mm rock anchors at 3m c/c
below that along with wire mesh and shotcrete. During initial stage of rock cutting, no sound
rock mass along the cut line were encountered, therefore ,the rock cutting started from higher
elevation around El 1450m(sec +4 to -5). Still due to non availability of sound and firm rock,
loose boulders were removed and remaining surface was covered with wire mesh and shotcrete
with 4m long 25 mm rock anchors.
Keeping in view the near vicinity of Siund & Raila village, the excavation of powerhouse cut
slope was done by jackhammer drilling near the cutline and by hydraulic drill (TAMROCK &
ROCKDRILL (Atlas copco)) in the area beyond 10m from the cut slope line. By jack hammer,
usually 32-40 mm dia hole at spacing of 300-500mm and 1.5m to 2.5m depth were carried out
whereas by TAMROCK & ROCKDRILL usually 89/64 mm dia holes, spaced at 2 to 3 m and of
3m depth were drilled. After blasting, the exposed area was cleaned with air jet and the area was
supported with welded wiremesh & 100mm shotcrete. In few areas where welded wire mesh
could not be placed, chain link wire mesh was placed due to the presence of uneven surface.
Prior to first major failure of powerhouse cut slope in March, 2004, some minor failures were
experienced in Sept, 2003. Wide variation in foliation joint in combination with other joint sets
caused small failure of the bench at El.1387 and resulted in overhanging of rock mass at EL.
1395M. Concrete cladding /back filling were provided to support the overhanging portion
between sec +4 to +8 at El 1387 to 1305 and sec+3 to +1. Similarly a wedge failure also took
place between Sec +19 to +21 between El. 1417 to 1432.The metavolcanics were blocky and
traversed by 03 set of joints sets namely S1(0550/530)and valley dipping joint S2 (1550/650 )
combines to form wedges and hill dipping joint 3310/800 caused the release of wedge. Another
wedge failure experienced between sec +9 to +10, El 1392 to 1402, and Sec+3 to +1, El. 1380.
In view of the above, the support system was augmented by putting additional 25mm 9m long
or 36mm 9m long rock bolts. In the slided portion, a separate support system was adopted,
which consists of 6-9 m long 25mm rock anchors/soil anchors in a grid of 1.5 to 2.0m c/c with
100mm shotcrete and wiremesh. Pull out test of rock anchors was done at 1 in 100 Nos & all the
anchors tested were found satisfactory. Pressure relief holes of 6 m long, 76mm were
provided at 6 m c/c spacing. Concrete cladding of M15/A40 grade concrete was done in wedge
failure portions .Apart from these, some 12m long rock anchors too were installed at the 1338M
level and grouting was performed in 9-11m holes in weak zones.
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5.1.1 Problems encountered during the excavation of the Power House Cut Slope:
As the excavation was in full swing, the first instance of development of 1-50mm wide cracks in
the Power House Cut slope was observed during March 2004. Later on these cracks proved fatal
and a slide (1st slide) took place on 17.4.2004 in the service bay area between section +9 to -7
starting from El 1440 to 1368 M, i.e. the excavation level existing at that time. This slide later
on extended upto El 1480 M .Prior to failure, heavy rains were reported in the area. It appears
that all the features i.e. wedge failure, valley dipping joints which are vulnerable due to their
orientation viz-a viz the cut slope and heavy precipitation culminated to form slip circle failure
and caused major slide in the service bay area.
In light of the above slide, the entire slope was inspected in detail. A number of hair-line to few
cm wide crack were noticed at various levels throughout the powerhouse cut slopes. A number of
6-15m long Single/Multi-point borehole extensometers were installed in the powerhouse cut
slopes. Apart from monitoring of slope movement by inclinometer, restoration of the slope was
carried out by M/s Bhumi Developers Ltd by Slope dressing, Wire meshing, rock anchor of dia
25 mm (Length varying 6 & 9 m), Soil nail of dia 25 mm(Length-6m), Shotcrete of thickness150 mm in two layers, Drainage/Pressure relief hole of length 3-4 m were also provided.
A major jump in the instruments readings and increase in width of the cracks (2cm -10cm) was
noticed in 2nd week of Feb 2006. After this incident, all the blasting and other activities were
suspended in this portion and the excavation work was taken from the upstream side. When the
excavation work reached near the desired level in the unit-3 & 4, the cracks started showing
widening and the instrumentation reading shot up to alarming values. Subsequently the area of
cut slopes in the d/s of section 22 from El 1372 (apparently) to Section +35 at El 1440-1450m
started sliding around 10:00 PM on 26.06.2006(2nd slide, Ref: Photo1). The estimated amount
of slided muck was around 30,000 to 35,000 m3.
The second slide extends from Section +18 and d/s. In this area, there was a westward bend in
the cut slope beyond section +24. The foliation planes in the bend portion also became subparallel. The rock in this area was more schistose and weathered. Due to weathered nature of the
rock mass some over-cuts were
experienced while excavation was
going on and some cavities were
formed. These areas were supported
with concrete claddings in addition
to shotcrete and wiremesh. The
concrete claddings were provided on
1402M berm from section +20 to
end and on 1387 M berm from
section +24 to end. When the
excavation level went down, these
concrete claddings proved to be
extra
loads.
These
concrete
claddings together with schistose
and weathered rock proved fatal and
slided down.
Photo 1: Second Slide along Powerhouse Slope
5

To stabilize the slope, grouting works, wiremesh with the shotcrete and grouted rock anchors
12m long, 36mm were provided between EL1495m and EL1472m above sections +21 to
+36.
The stability analysis carried out by IIT, Delhi categorized the failure as simple circular failure to
complex slip circle failure and is deep seated.
The third failure of the powerhouse slope took place on 20-02-07 at about 4 am .This slide
extended up to EL1495m above unit #3 and #4. The slided muck along with rock chunks with
rock anchors covered upto unit #2 portion. The estimated amount of slided muck was 3000032000 cum. Shotcrete at various berms was also got detached. Rock swelling above berm
EL1346m was also observed. More than 75% of the already treated portion fall down between
section +18 to +32.
5.1.2 Reasons of failure of the Power House Cut Slope:
Failures in a rock slope often depend on the orientation of the slope and the discontinuities in the
rock mass. The main parameters governing this type of failure are the shear strength of the
discontinuity. Reasons of multiple failure of the Power House slope may be summarized as
below:(i)
Weak Rock mass: The powerhouse slope is mainly constituted of medium strong
metavolcanics with thick bands of weathered chlorite schist/phyllite.
(ii)
Heavy Precipitation: The area receives heavy precipitation. The open joints present in
the rockmass provided easy path for percolation, resulting in lubrication of joint planes to
facilitate failure.
(iii)
Design aspects: The design of the cut slope was not compatible to the site condition as
per geotechnical parameters given in DPR. This could be due to limited land available due to site
constraints. The support provided in the initial stages was also proved inadequate.
(iv)
Concrete claddings: Concrete cladding provided on 1402M berm from section +20 to
end and on 1387 M berm from section +24 to end, proved to be extra load.
5.1.3 Rock Support for stabilizing the powerhouse slope after third slide:
Keeping in view of three slides which took place at various section and elevations, the rock
support for stabilizing the slope was modified as follows:
(i)
Rock slope at different berms was reconsidered and more land above El 1495M was
acquired for maintaining proper slope. The excavation of the backslope started from EL
1510M.A cross drain of 1m width x 0.5m height was constructed at El 1520M to drain out the
surface runoff. The slope was cut down to the level of 1330M. Between EL 1492M to 1402m a
1H: 2.5V slope was maintained whereas between El 1372M to 1330M the slope was kept as 1H:
3.5V. Thus a vertical slope of about 200m height with intermediate benches at approx 15m
interval was to be stabilized, which was a challenging task.
(ii)
Berms of 5-6m width were provided, covered with shotcrete to prevent seepage of rainy
water in benches. In addition vertical drains were provided to drain water during monsoon/heavy
precipitation.

(iii)
Extensive grouting of slope by drilling 10 m long, 76mm dia (NX) drill holes at distance
of 10m at each berm/benches.
(iv)
Cable anchors having lengths of 35m were provided. Each Cable anchor is fabricated
with 35m long, 11 no. of thin cables inserted through a perforated plate for separation from each
cables. One 35 m long rubber pipe is also attached with cables for grouting. The end of each
cable is welded with a cone shaped cap for easy insertion into the hole. The diameter of hole for
initial 6m is 175mm and installed with 6m casing pipe to prevent the caving/collapsing. The rest
29 m lengths have diameter of 125mm. The cable anchors have fixed length and free length
which are 9m and 26m respectively. The fixed 9m length is at the end of cable anchor. After
installation of cable anchor, a concrete pad of 1m (length) x1m(width) is installed at the mouth
of hole and the fixed 9m length is fully grouted with cement: water ratio (1:0.4),till refusal.
After grouting all the thin 11 no. of cables are inserted through bearing plate. Stressing is done
for checking the performance of grout/fixed length. Stressing is performed in stages by applying
load of 133 ton and is locked at 110 ton. After stressing the cable anchor, the free length is also
grouted in the ratio cement: water (1:0.4) and the concrete pad is covered with safety cap. In all
842 no. of cable anchors were provided all along the slope. Ref: Photo2)
(v)
Rock anchors of 12m length were provided in staggered manner. Shotcrete with
wiremesh (100 to150mm) were also provided to stabilize the slope.
(vi)
Drainage holes 76mm , 12m long on downward direction were provided on each berm.
In addition Pressure relief hole/Pre grout holes were also provided on each berm.
(vii) Extensive instrumentation programme for monitoring the stability behavior of back slope
by installing an array of Instruments i.e. MPBX, Load cell (150 ton), Peizometer and
inclinometer, tilt meter, prism target.
(viii) In addition, 4 no. of drifts of 40m length with 20m long x cuts at El.1432 and 40 m long
drift at EL.1417m were excavated. The drift along with crosscuts were reinforced with steel and
concrete up to spring level and between spring level to crown with concrete mass to bear rock
load/sharing of load.

Photo 2: Back slope Stabilization by Cable anchors.

6.0 Monitoring of Powerhouse back slope:

Beside critical examination of the slope, an array of instruments i.e MPBX, Load Cell, Prism
target, Peizometer, Inclinometer were installed in powerhouse backslope to monitor any
movement inside the rockmass. The details are as under:
Table: 4 Instruments installed on Powerhouse Slope.
Instruments
Quantity
Remarks
MPBX
30Nos(Three Point),Length ranging Working smoothly and not giving
from 12m to 40m
any adrupt results
Load Cell(150 ton 25 Nos
-doand 25 ton
Prism Target
8 Nos
-doPeizometer
5 Nos
-doInclinometer
3 Nos
-doThe graphical representation of all the MPBX and Load cells reveals that all are working
smoothly and no significant movement has appeared in any of the MPBX and Load Cell.
Furthermore, other instruments i.e Prism Target, Peizometer, Inclinometer and Tilt meter
installed at powerhouse back slope are being continuously monitored from the time since date of
installation. All the instruments are working smoothly and none of them is giving any abrupt
results.
7. Conclusion:
The study of a potentially unstable rock slope is a difficult task requiring careful field work,
detailed analysis and good engineering sense in order to understand the relative importance of
the several instability factors acting on the slope. The failure of powerhouse back slope,
consequently for three times was a challenge to geologist, design engineers and construction
engineers. Many factors such as poor to very poor rockmass with steep slopes clay seams and
open joints, heavy precipitation in the area, limited space available due to land acquisition
problem, thus neccessating steep cut slope contributed in slope failure. Providing support in
piecemeal and remedial measures such as concrete cladding also proved fatal. However, the
slope gets stabilized after elaborate installation of cable anchors and dressing of slope.
Additional strengthening to slope was provided through four no of drifts which were reinforced
and concrete filled. Effective instrumentation programme further validated the efficacy of cable
anchors. As on date the powerhouse back slope is completely stabilized.
Acknowledgement
The authors express their sincere gratitude to Shri A.K.Singh, General Manager,
Parbati.E.Project, Stage-II, NHPC Ltd for his valuable guidance & encouragement and according
permission to publish this work.
References:
1. Detailed Project Report-Site Investigation & Geology, Vol-IV, NHPC Ltd, Sept, 2000.
2. R.G.Virmani & Janesh Sahani (April,2005),Backslope treatment of the powerhouse of
Parbati H.E.Project,Stage-II,Himachal Pradesh ,Indian Journal of Power & River Valley
Development (Special issue on Parbati H.E.Project,Stage-II,Vol.55 No 2&3,MarchApril,2005.pp.68-73.
3. K.S.Rao, January, 2007.Stability Analysis of Powerhouse slope, Parbati H.E.Project,St-II
Deptt of Civil Engineering, IIT, Delhi,
8