Reinforcing Systems (Failure Slope):

As explained by the engineers on the site, with its original completion date of November 2016,
the PHPA-I project was delayed due to the right bank slip that occurred in 2013. The site's
complex geology presented considerable difficulties. The Norwegian Geological Institute (NGI)
was designated as a review consultant at the beginning of 2017. In its report to CWC, NGI
suggested additional stabilization measures. These recommendations were reviewed in the
Technical Coordination Committee Meeting in July 2017 and then approved in August 2017 by
the PHPA authorities (Embassy of India, 2023).
With fissures up to 40 cm broad and a maximum displacement of 4 m, the right bank fell toward
the dam pit. Uplift of flooring and damaged ribs in the grouting gallery at El.1,169m were
indicators of instability. From August to December 2013, 38 sites were drilled down to a depth of
3.7 kilometers as part of the investigation (Dini et al., 2020). A number of remedies were put out
by experts, with a focus on systematic instrumentation and monitoring that started in January
2015. Before the 2015 monsoon, stabilization techniques including shotcreting, grouting, cable
anchoring, RCC piles, and micro piles were used between El. 1,205 m and El. 1,340 m (Lhamo,
2022).
1. Grouting: To fill up cavities, stabilize the soil, and increase its ability to support weight,
grouting involves injecting a stable substance typically cement into the earth. By filling
up gaps and strengthening the unstable soil mass, grouting helps to prevent additional
sliding and improves the overall stability of the right abutment in this situation.

2. Cable Anchors: Slopes and buildings are supported laterally by cable anchors. They offset
the sliding pressures by deeply anchoring into rock strata or firm soil. Cable anchors may
have been used in this situation to keep the sliding hill mass in position and lower the
chance of more movement and eventual collapse.

Figure 1: Cable anchors

3. Shotcreting: Shotcreting is the process of applying a high-velocity spray combination of
cement, sand, and occasionally fibers to surfaces. It creates a solid, stable coating that
stabilizes and strengthens structures. Shotcreting would have prevented further
degradation of the abutment surface by limiting erosion and providing a protective layer
to the unstable slope.

Figure 2: Shotcretiing of Slope

4. Micro Piles (325 mm): These are grouted and drilled small-diameter piles into the earth.
They may have been positioned carefully inside the problematic region in this case to
provide further support. Because of their small size, they may be installed in difficult
terrain, offering localized reinforcement and improving the abutment's stability.

A B

Figure 3: (A) Example of Micropiles and (B) Micropile used in Slope in PHPA-1

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Micropiles-for-slope-stabilization_fig5_287322438
 5. RCC Piles (2 m Diameter): RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) piles have a substantial
load-bearing capability due to their enormous 2-meter diameter. The purpose of these
piles was to tie the abutment to a sturdy foundation by drilling them deeply into rock or
stable soil. They play a crucial role in stopping more sliding and guaranteeing the overall
stability of the right abutment because of their sturdy structure, which guarantees that
they can endure significant stresses.

Figure 4: 2m RCC piles

References

Dini, B., Manconi, A., Loew, S., & Chophel, J. (2020). The Punatsangchhu-I dam landslide
illuminated by InSAR multitemporal analyses. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65192-w
Embassy of India. (2023, October 30). Ongoing Hydropower Projects. Retrieved from Embassy
of India.: https://www.indembthimphu.gov.in/pages.php?id=36
Lhamo, R. (2022). A case study on slope instability of Punatshangchhu Hydroelectric Project
Authority-I Dam in Bhutan. Bhutan Journal of Research and Development, 46–53.
https://doi.org/10.17102/bjrd.rub.10.2.011