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Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability

______________________________________________________________________________

Date: 13 June 2022 Jacobs Australia Pty Limited


Project SILO O; HYDRO PLANT TUNNEL PORTAL
name: GROUND LOADS ASSESSMENT
Level 7, 177 Pacific Highway
Project no: AL027800
Attention: Adolfo Eberlein
T +61 2 9928 2100
Company: Jacobs : F +61 2 9928 2444
Prepared by: Arnab Banerjee www.jacobs.com
Document [Document number]
no:
Copies to: [Copies to]
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
______________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this technical memorandum is to evaluate the ground load at the portals for the proposed tunnel at
Silo-o Hydroelectric project.
The purpose of this technical memorandum is to evaluate the stability of proposed slope and mitigation measures at
the Outlet portal (encircle in the below Figure) of the tunnel at Silo-O. The main tunnel alignment is about 1.8 km
long with overburden depths of up to about 400 m (maximum) with a tunnel diameter of 3m. The schematic drawing
of tunnel with Outlet portal location is shown below.

Figure 1: Tunnel Alignment and Output portal location


As part of the geotechnical investigation 6 boreholes were drilled with BH1 & 2 on the inlet portal side & rest of the
boreholes at the outlet portal side. BH-3 is the nearest borehole available at the outlet portal area, where slope
stability analysis is carried out.

The scope of the stability analysis contains the following:

1. Derivation of soil & rock parameters for slope stability analysis


2. Preparation of outlet portal ground model in RS2
3. Study of joint parameters and application of same in RS2 model.
4. Interpretation of shear strength reduction in RS2 for static & seismic cases
5. Recommendations on safe slope angle
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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2.0 SITE conditions and general geology


Silo-o Hydroelectric project lies east-southeast of Poblacion, Brgy. San Luis. It is almost parallel to
Malitbog river and a tributary of Tagoloan river with an approximate elevation at intake is 515m and
400m at the powerhouse.

Based on the Geological Map of the regional geology of the area comprises Pliocene Quaternary which is
composed of volcanic plain or volcanic piedmont deposits. Chiefly pyroclastics and/or volcanic debris at
the foot of volcanoes (see Figure 1).

Figure 2: Guide Map to the Project Site

3.0 RS-2 analysis & results


The outlet portal cross section has been imported to 2D Geotechnical Finite Element software, RS2 RocScience and
further modelled based on the available limited Geotechnical information at portal section. The shear strength
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
______________________________________________________________________________

characteristics of soil & rock were partly assumed and partly taken from Jacob’s report. The Shear strength
reduction analysis has been carried out in RS2 to understand the factor of safety against slope/rotational failure. In
this analysis the shear strength properties are reduced to determine the critical strength reduction factor (SRF) after
which the model collapses. Hence the SRF can be considered equivalent to a factor of safety in any limit equilibrium
analysis. The points of maximum shear strain, maximum total displacement and yielded elements highlight indicate
the critical slip circle.

In the current analysis, both soil & rock are modelled. The Mohr Coulomb failure criteria is used for soil strata in
Material model and Generalised Hoek brown failure for rock strata. The analysis is carried out with and without
jointed rock model. The joint is parallel and sloping downwards at a 20degree angle with 0.5m spacing which is
based on geologist observations at site. The joint information in cross direction is not available and hence not
applied to the jointed rock model.

To carry out shear strength reduction analysis in jointed rock model the joint shear parameters also need to be given
as input and after that SSR analysis can be applied. Since the joint shear parameters are not given in geotechnical
report provided by Client, the same has been assumed based on relevant international papers on joint parameters of
Sandstone rock.

Different cases are considered to derive the SRF for the given outlet portal. The summary of the analysis carried out
is give in table below.

Outlet Portal Case Description SRF Remarks


no
1a Jointed rock with excavation -static case 0.77 Failure in soil
Base Case
1b Jointed rock with excavation – seismic case 2.84 No failure
2a Jointed rock with excavation- Slope 1V:1.5H for soil & 1.21 Failure in soil
1.5V: 1H for rock- static case
2b Jointed rock with excavation- Slope 1V:1.5H for soil & 2.45 No failure
1.5V:1H for rock- seismic case
3a Jointed rock with excavation- Slope 1V:2H for soil & 1.41 Failure in soil
With modified 1.5V:1H for rock- static case
slope 3b Jointed rock with excavation- Slope 1V:2H for soil & 1.52 No failure
1.5V: 1H for rock- seismic case
4a Jointed rock with excavation- Slope 1V:2H for soil & 1.59 No failure
1V:2H for rock- static case
4b Jointed rock with excavation- Slope 1V:2H for soil & 2.91 No failure
1V:2H for rock- Seismic case

The output of each model pertaining to the cases described above along with their parameters are given described in
sections below.

Case 1a Jointed rock model With Excavation- Static Case

Strata Drained Parameters Failure Criterion Remarks

Soil C’- 6kPa, Ф’-32, ɤ - 19- Drained Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on
SPT ‘N’ values. Rock parameters
Highly UCS-40MPa, mi-15, GSI-35, ɤ - Generalized Hoek like mb, ɤ are taken from
weathered 24kN/m3 Ei = 7000Mpa Brown – Reference [2]. GSI & UCS value is
Jointed rock mass- based on Geologist site visit & Ei
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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rock Joint Inclination: (-)20degrees Mohr Coulomb Slip value considered from Reference
Criteria [1]. Rock joint orientation are
Joint spacing- 0.5m confirmed by Geologist . Joint
Joint shear strength- 40 degrees, shear strength assumed based on
10kpa Reference [3].

Case 1b Jointed rock model With Excavation- Seismic Case

Strata Undrained parameters Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks

Soil Cu – 90 kPa, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on


SPT ‘N’ values. Rock parameters
Highly UCS-40MPa, mi-15, GSI-35, ɤ Generalized Hoek like mb, ɤ are taken from Reference
weathered - 24kN/m3 , Ei = 7000Mpa Brown – [2]. GSI & UCS value is based on
rock Geologist site visit & Ei value
Joint Inclination: (-) 20degrees Jointed rock mass-
Mohr Coulomb Slip considered from Reference [1].
Joint spacing- 0.5m Criteria Rock joint orientation are confirmed
by Geologist. Joint shear strength
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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Joint shear strength- 40 degrees, assumed based on Reference


10kpa [3].Horizontal seismic coefficient
(0.213) based on Reference [2].

Case 2a Slope 1.5V:1H for rock & 1V:2H for soil- Static Case

Strata Drained Parameters Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks

Soil C’- 6kPa, Ф’-32, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on SPT
‘N’ values. Rock parameters like mb, ɤ
Highly UCS-40MPa, mb-15, GSI- Generalized Hoek are taken from Reference [2]. GSI &
weathered 35, ɤ - 24kN/m3 , Ei = Brown – UCS value is based on Geologist site
rock 7000Mpa visit & Ei value considered from
Jointed rock mass-
Joint Inclination: Mohr Coulomb Slip Reference [1]. Rock joint orientation
(-)20degrees Criteria are confirmed by Geologist. Joint shear
strength assumed based on Reference
Joint spacing- 0.5m [3].
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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Joint shear strength- 40


degrees, 10kpa

Case 2b Slope 1.5V:1H for rock & 1V:2H for soil- Seismic Case

Strata Undrained Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks


Parameters

Soil (4.5m) Cu - 90kPa, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on SPT ‘N’ values.
Rock parameters like mb, ɤ are taken from
Highly UCS-40MPa, mb-15, Generalized Hoek Reference [2]. GSI & UCS value is based on
weathered GSI-35, ɤ - 24kN/m3 Brown – Geologist site visit & Ei value considered from
rock Ei = 7000Mpa Reference [1]. Rock joint orientation are
Jointed rock mass-
Joint Inclination: Mohr Coulomb confirmed by Geologist. Joint shear strength
(-)20degrees Slip Criteria assumed based on Reference [3].Horizontal
seismic coefficient (0.213) based on Reference [2].
Joint spacing- 0.5m
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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Joint shear strength-


40 degrees, 10kpa

Case 3a Slope 1V:2H for rock & 1V:2H for soil- Static Case

Strata Drained Parameters Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks

Soil C’- 6kPa, Ф’-32, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on SPT
‘N’ values. Rock parameters like mb, ɤ
Highly UCS-40MPa, mb-15, GSI- Generalized Hoek are taken from Reference [2]. GSI &
weathered 35, ɤ - 24kN/m3 , Ei = Brown – UCS value is based on Geologist site
rock 7000Mpa visit & Ei value considered from
Jointed rock mass-
Joint Inclination: Mohr Coulomb Slip Reference [1]. Rock joint orientation
(-)20degrees Criteria are confirmed by Geologist. Joint shear
strength assumed based on Reference
Joint spacing- 0.5m [3].

Joint shear strength- 40


degrees, 10kpa
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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Case 3b Slope 1V:2H for rock & 1V:2H for soil- Seismic Case

Strata Undrained Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks


Parameters

Soil (4.5m) Cu - 90kPa, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on SPT ‘N’ values.
Rock parameters like mb, ɤ are taken from
Highly UCS-40 MPa, mb-15, Generalized Hoek Reference [2]. GSI & UCS value is based on
weathered GSI-35, ɤ - 24kN/m3 Brown – Jointed Geologist site visit & Ei value considered from
rock Ei = 7000Mpa rock mass- Mohr Reference [1]. Rock joint orientation are
Coulomb Slip confirmed by Geologist. Joint shear strength
Joint Inclination: Criteria
(-)20degrees assumed based on Reference [3]. Horizontal
seismic coefficient (0.213) based on Reference [2].
Joint spacing- 0.5m

Joint shear strength-


40 degrees, 10kpa
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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Case 4a Slope 1V:2H for rock & 1V:2H for soil- Static Case

Strata Drained Parameters Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks

Soil C’- 6kPa, Ф’-32, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on SPT
‘N’ values. Rock parameters like mb, ɤ
Highly UCS-40 MPa, mb-15, GSI- Generalized Hoek are taken from Reference [2]. GSI &
weathered 35, ɤ - 24kN/m3 , Ei = Brown – UCS value is based on Geologist site
rock 7000Mpa visit & Ei value considered from
Jointed rock mass-
Joint Inclination: Mohr Coulomb Slip Reference [1]. Rock joint orientation
(-)20degrees Criteria are confirmed by Geologist. Joint shear
strength assumed based on Reference
Joint spacing- 0.5m [3].

Joint shear strength- 40


degrees, 10kpa
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
______________________________________________________________________________

Case 4b Slope 1V:2H for rock & 1V:2H for soil- Seismic Case

Strata Undrained Failure Criterion FOS & Remarks


Parameters

Soil (4.5m) Cu - 90kPa, ɤ - 19 Mohr Coulomb Soil parameters assumed based on SPT ‘N’ values.
Rock parameters like mb, ɤ are taken from
Highly UCS-40 MPa, mb-15, Generalized Hoek Reference [2]. GSI & UCS value is based on
weathered GSI-35, ɤ - 24kN/m3 Brown – Geologist site visit & Ei value considered from
rock Ei = 7000 MPa Reference [1]. Rock joint orientation are
Jointed rock mass-
Joint Inclination: Mohr Coulomb confirmed by Geologist. Joint shear strength
(-)20degrees Slip Criteria assumed based on Reference [3]. Horizontal
seismic coefficient (0.213) based on Reference [2].
Joint spacing- 0.5m

Joint shear strength-


40 degrees, 10kpa
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
______________________________________________________________________________

4.0 Assumptions in design


In the absence of Geological profile, joint spacing and orientation and other geotechnical and geological data, the
analysis and recommendations are carried based on the below assumptions and information provided by site
Geologist. Hence, the below assumptions need to be verified before execution of work. The protection measures
should also be in line with the actual parameters.

1. The soil profile thickness is uniform across the slope and the ground model is same as BH-03 of the
geotechnical report provided by Client.
2. The shear strength properties of soil strata are assumed and derived based on SPT ‘N’ values and Reference
[2].
3. The rock stratum is considered uniform across the slope profile and is considered as highly weathered
condition as per BH-3. Rock parameters like UCS, GSI, and joint orientation are considered based on
Geologist review of rock at site. Other parameters like rock mass factor (m b) and unit weight are taken from
Reference [2].
4. Young’s modulus has been taken from Reference [1]
5. The ground water table is assumed to follow the interface of soil and highly weathered rock- considered -
as per Jacob’s report “RPT101RevC – Geotechnical Assessment”.
6. Rock joint shear parameters are not available in geotechnical report and Jacob’s report “RPT101RevC –
Geotechnical Assessment” hence the same has been assumed based on literature.
7. The disturbance factor of 0.7 considering good blasting in the vicinity of rock excavation (1.0m) has been
considered based on the information provided by Client.
Technical Memorandum on Outlet Portal slope stability
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5.0 Recommendations
Based on the RS2 analyses carried out with limited geotechnical information, a slope of 1V:2H for soil &
1.5 V: 1H for rock (Case 3) is deemed as a safe slope for both static & seismic cases. Steeper slopes might
be possible only when the soil and rock shear strength parameters are much better than the assumed or
considered in the analysis.

The geologist at site should check the requirements of any rock bolts if there are chances of rock fall due
to local disturbances caused by blasting/excavation. Also, the analysis is carried out based on assumed
parameters & thickness of both soil & rock strata as per the limited Borelog information. The same
should be checked before construction.

6.0 References
The following references were used to carry out the stability analysis of the outlet portal.

1. Final Geotechnical Report Silo-O dated March 2022;


2. Jacobs report no AL027800-M&S-00-RPT-101 Rev. C “Malitbog & Silo-O HEPP Geotechnical
Assessment”;
3. Piotr Małkowski 2015 “Behaviour of joints in sandstones during the shear test” Acta Geodyn. Geomater.,
Vol. 12, No. 4.

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