Assessment of Economic Viability of Engineering Structures as Landslide Protection Measures in Landslide Prone Zones

Abstract

A landslide is a downslope movement of rock or soil, or both, occurring on the surface of rupture.  Landslides are just a hazard in an uninhabited place. But, they turn into disasters when they occur in areas of human habitation. Due to increase in population and rapid urbanization, construction activities in hilly terrains have led to rapid expansion. This has led to the frequent landslide hazards in the hilly terrains, mostly in the Himalayan region which experiences bewildering varieties of landslides. The intensity and severity of impacts of the hazards can be minimized if the problem is recognized before the development activity. The tools available for measuring mitigation are risk assessment and economic appraisal methods like cost benefit analysis. The objective of this study was to assess the economic viability of the landslide protection measures. Thus in this study the cost economic benefits of engineering structures were assessed for the benefits as landslide protection measures. It was found that constructing the mitigation structures mitigates the landslides but maintaining the structures prolongs the benefits of the structures for a longer time.