Stability Analysis of an Unstable Slope at Kanjikuzhi, Idukki, Using GEO5 Software

Landslide is an instant event during which mass movement of soil takes places down a slope, causing damage to life and property. Kanjikuzhi, Idukki district, is a highly susceptible landslide-prone area according to the District Disaster Management Plan Idukki, 2015. A sloping area was selected for soil sample collection, and the geotechnical parameters were determined in the laboratory. The terrain characteristics, which include the geometry of the slope, were determined using Google Earth Pro and GPS visualizer. The modeling of the slope and its analysis were carried out using GEO5 software to find the factor of safety of the slope, which determines its stability. The slope was found to be unstable with a factor of safety of 1.35. A parametric study using three mitigation measures, namely anchors, soil nail, and anti-slide pile, was carried out using the software. The parametric study revealed that the slope can be stabilized to a maximum factor of safety of 1.81, 1.65, and 1.66 using the anchors, anti-slide piles, and soil nails, respectively.