Surface Strengthening and Support
2021
NASHIK - MAHARASHTRA - India
Suyog Gurubhakshani Funicular Ropeways Pvt.Ltd.
ROCKFALL MITIGATION WORKS AT SAPTHSHRUNGI
Figure 2 Photograph showing aerial view of the site
Figure 3 Gully between the columnar formation and the main hill
Figure 4 Photos taken while laying of HEA panels
Figure 5 Photograph showing site during construction
Figure 6 Photograph showing site after installing the HEA panels
Problem
The Sapthshrungi gad is situated in the East-West range of Sahyadri mountains, approximately at a distance of 65 km from Nasik. It is one of the most visited religious place for pilgrims coming from neighbor states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. Chaitrostav and Navratrostav are two occasions in a year when the devotees throng to this place in large numbers (5 to 6 lakh on each occasion) for worshiping. Approximately 3000 pilgrims pay a tribute to this holy place daily. As the temple is situated on the top of the mountain, the Public Works Department of Maharashtra proposed for a mechanical system i.e. funicular trolley to take the devotees from the base of the mountain, after the temple. However examining the site, it was identified that the temple and the area of the proposed funicular station in front of the cliff could be affected by rockfall from adjacent hill slopes. So it was necessary to protect the temple against rockfall by providing suitable measures. The height of cliff to be protected was about 200 meters from the road level.
Solution
Presence of heavy joint loose rock mass at the top of the cliff, and multiple vertical open joints in rock mass on vertical slope above and around the temple was a major point of concern before introducing the funicular station, as even a small portion of rock falling from such a height was a threat to the funicular station and could lead to fatal accidents. Considering the existing problem, rock fall protection work was proposed as a solution to be carried out above and around the station area. The rockfall mitigation measures constituted of secured drapery system with High Energy Absorption (HEA) panels and 25mm dia 3m long anchors for cortical strengthening. Analysis was carried out using the most advanced software to find out the maximum tension exerted by the debris accumulation on the mesh and anchor design.
Used Products
