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<p>Fault damage zones (FDZs) are high-risk locations for both surface and subsurface engineering structures in dynamic mountain ranges such as the Himalayas. To guarantee the security of the infrastructure projects, FDZs must be thoroughly investigated. This study presents the first systematic evaluation of the tectonic impacts of macro faults on intact rock strength (unconfined compressive strength, or UCS), rock mass quality (rock quality designation, or RQD; geological strength index, or GSI; rock mass rating, or RMR; and rock tunneling index, or Q-index), and modulus of deformation (Em) within the Hanzel fault damage zone located in the active Himalayas of Pakistan. Petrographic features and fracture density (Jv) are employed as metrics to delineate the width of the FDZ. The rock mass indices RQD (58.12), GSI (46.05), RMR (51.05), and Q (2.46) indicate that the FDZ exhibits fair-to-poor conditions on average. Empirical equations for the deformation modulus (Em) give average values ranging from 4.02 GPa to 6.66 GPa based on the GSI, RMR, and Q-system, with an average reduction of 40–60% near the Highly Deformed Zones (HDZs). Furthermore, spatial analysis reveals heterogeneity in all geomechanical parameters as a function of horizontal distance from the fault core, attributed to concentrated effects around HDZs that have accumulated throughout the evolutionary processes within a threshold width of about 3.9 ± 0.2&#xa0;km. The FDZ framework established in the study offers essential criteria for surveying and mapping within engineering geological assessments, thereby potentially facilitating the safe and sustainable construction of infrastructure projects in active mountain regions.</p>

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Geomechanical evaluation of fault damage zone in the active Himalayas of Northern Pakistan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月1日

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  • Izhar Ahmed,
  • Yanjun Shang,
  • Luís Sousa,
  • Qingsen Meng,
  • Javed Iqbal Tanoli,
  • Muhammad Faisal Waqar

摘要

Fault damage zones (FDZs) are high-risk locations for both surface and subsurface engineering structures in dynamic mountain ranges such as the Himalayas. To guarantee the security of the infrastructure projects, FDZs must be thoroughly investigated. This study presents the first systematic evaluation of the tectonic impacts of macro faults on intact rock strength (unconfined compressive strength, or UCS), rock mass quality (rock quality designation, or RQD; geological strength index, or GSI; rock mass rating, or RMR; and rock tunneling index, or Q-index), and modulus of deformation (Em) within the Hanzel fault damage zone located in the active Himalayas of Pakistan. Petrographic features and fracture density (Jv) are employed as metrics to delineate the width of the FDZ. The rock mass indices RQD (58.12), GSI (46.05), RMR (51.05), and Q (2.46) indicate that the FDZ exhibits fair-to-poor conditions on average. Empirical equations for the deformation modulus (Em) give average values ranging from 4.02 GPa to 6.66 GPa based on the GSI, RMR, and Q-system, with an average reduction of 40–60% near the Highly Deformed Zones (HDZs). Furthermore, spatial analysis reveals heterogeneity in all geomechanical parameters as a function of horizontal distance from the fault core, attributed to concentrated effects around HDZs that have accumulated throughout the evolutionary processes within a threshold width of about 3.9 ± 0.2 km. The FDZ framework established in the study offers essential criteria for surveying and mapping within engineering geological assessments, thereby potentially facilitating the safe and sustainable construction of infrastructure projects in active mountain regions.