BIOENGINEERING (ENCE 376)

1 Introduction (4 hours)

1.1 Landslides and soil erosion scenario in Nepal

1.2 Conventional approaches for slope protection and stabilization and their engineering functions

1.3 Vegetation as a slope stabilizing material and its engineering functions

1.4 Scope, advantages, limitations and sustainability of bioengineering techniques

2 Mass Movement (6 hours)

2.1 Mass movements and its classification

2.2 Erosion: Types, causes and effects

2.3 Landslides: Types, causes (Geological, geomorphological, topographical, anthropogenic) and their impacts

2.4 Landslide triggers; Rainfall induced landslides

2.5 Landslide assessments and investigations

2.6 Landslide mapping, assessment of seriousness, and repair priorities

3 Vegetation: Structure, Propagation and Function (10 hours)

3.1 Plant types, forms, and structures

3.2 Plant community

3.3 Basic plant requirements

3.4 Plant propagation: Sexual and asexual methods

3.5 Distribution of plants in Nepal

3.6 Hydrological and hydraulic functions of vegetation

3.7 Engineering functions of vegetation

3.8 Slope stability by vegetation

3.8.1 Soil root model: Principles and derivation

3.8.2 Different root architecture and their impact on slope stability

3.9 Environmental functions

4 Vegetative Techniques (10 hours)

4.1 Classification of vegetative systems: Based on plant types, propagation, and purpose

4.2 Design consideration of major vegetative techniques

4.2.1 Grass seeding and plantation

4.2.2 Bamboo plantation

4.2.3 Shrubs and tree seeding and plantation

4.2.4 Cuttings based techniques: Brush-layering, palisades, fascines, checkdams

4.2.5 Other methods: Jute net and grass plantation, live crib wall, vegetated riprap

4.3 Species selection

4.3.1 Site categorization: Topographic, slope material, climatic

4.3.2 Native vs exotic species

4.3.3 Socio-economic consideration

4.3.4 Drought factor

4.4 Selection of optimal vegetative technique

5 Civil Engineering Techniques (10 hours)

5.1 Conventional and emerging techniques

5.2 Small scale civil engineering systems, their selection and design considerations

5.2.1 Slope work

5.2.2 Retaining, revetment, dentition, frame, crib walls

5.2.3 Check dams

5.2.4 Surface and sub-surface drainage; Drainage network planning

5.2.5 Cross-drainage and energy dissipation structures

5.3 Integration of vegetative and civil engineering systems

6 Nursery (3 hours)

6.1 Nursery and its components

6.2 Site selection and components design

6.3 Materials are resources

6.4 Nursery management

7 Bioengineering Implementation and Management (2 hours)

7.1 Cost estimation: Quantity estimation and rate analysis

7.2 Seasonal planning of bioengineering systems

7.3 Maintenance, monitoring and performance evaluation

1. Preparation landslide investigation planning for a given case

2. Landslide mapping and hazard zonation

3. Evaluation of soil reinforcement model for grass-based systems

4. Evaluation of soil reinforcement model for shrub-based systems

5. Evaluation of soil reinforcement model for Tree-based systems

6. Design of vegetative systems

7. Design of retaining/revetment walls

8. Design of drainage system for a landslide mitigation

1. Visual presentation/demonstration/observation of species identification, site assessment/investigation and real-case observation and data collection

2. Design of landslide mitigation with vegetative and civil engineering systems

3. Preparation of drawing, cost estimation and implementation plan

1. Department of Roads. (1999). Roadside bio-engineering: Reference manual and Site handbook. Government of Nepal.

2. Department of Roads. (2007). Roadside geotechnical problems: A practice guide to their solutions. Government of Nepal.

3. Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management. (2016). Guideline on landslide treatment and mitigation, Government of Nepal.

4. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. (1991). Mountain risk engineering handbook.

5. Transport Research Laboratory. (1997). Overseas road notes 16: Principles of low-cost road engineering in mountainous regions.

6. National Reconstruction Authority and National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority. (2021). Manual for hands-on training to engineers on slope stabilization techniques.