Slope Stability Problems Along the Main Roads in the Kurdistan Region

Abstract

The Kurdistan Region is covered by the relevant net of roads. Since the major parts of the Kurdistan Region are mountainous; therefore, the majority of them are in snake curve form. Construction of roads in mountainous areas will destroy the natural slopes, and when not treated; then different types of landslides will occur. Accordingly, the unstable slopes will cause a lot of risk to the traffic along the roads; endangering the driving along those roads; especially during winter season, and during and/ or shortly after heavy rain showers. The majority of the roads in the Kurdistan Region are planned, designed and constructed without considering the geological conditions, which include four parameters: 1) Type of the rocks and soils, 2) Dip direction and amount, 3) Intensity of joint planes, and 4) Weathering grade of the rocks. These are not considered due to: 1) Cost, 2) Construction’s duration, 3) Choosing easier paths, 4) Absence of experience, 5) Absence of modern technology, 6) Absence of road construction codes, and 7) Ignorance of the factor of safety. We studied different examples from roads in the Kurdistan Region and presented different types of slope stability problems. Moreover, we presented recommendations to keep the stability along unstable slopes.