SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS OF DANDOT PLATEAU, PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Abstract

Kinematic analysis was performed to assess the stability of mountainous limestone deposits of Dandot plateau being used as raw material for cement manufacturing process. The discontinuity data was collected for analysis using DIPS computer program to ascertain the stability of the limestone quarry site of M/s Dandot Cement Company Limited. The geological discontinuities in the area show the likelihood of plane and toppling failures at various slope face orientations. Furthermore, susceptibility of wedge failure is unlikely as indicated by the attitude of major discontinuities. It was assessed that recent failures of slopes were of circular type. It is recommended that prior analysis of the discontinuity data with the new face orientations must be conducted at each step in order to assure the stability of quarry slopes.