Analysis of engineering properties of rock mass of Shah-wa-Arus dam site, Kabul, Afghanistan

The Shah-wa-Arus dam is currently being constructed on the Shakardara River, approximately 22 km to the north west of Kabul City, Afghanistan. The height and length of the dam are 77.5 m and 303 m, respectively, and the storage capacity of the dam is estimated around 9.38 million cubic meter. The type of the dam is roller-compacted concrete (RCC). It is a multi-purpose dam, designed to store water for irrigation, to mitigate flooding and generate electricity. The dam is located within a tectonically active zone, and the dam site has been strongly affected by tectonic activity. The paper presents results of comparison rock quality designation (RQD) and Lugeon parameters, based on a review and analysis of initial engineering-geological studies and additional field observations. The results of Lugeon and RQD were statistically evaluated in graphs and by using comparison of these graphs with all other conditions as of natural of this particular site. The obtained results show which state of the natural conditions is somehow a meaningful relationship between a Lugeon unit and RQD parameters. Finally, the rock mass of the dam foundation site is classified in accordance with the RMR classification.