Engineering geological zonation using interaction matrix of geological factors: An example from one section of Sichuan-Tibet Highway

摘要

In linear engineering projects such as those of the highways and railways in the northern Yarlu-Tsangpu Grand Canyon of Tibet that cross various geological and geomorphological units, engineering geological zonation must be carried out in advance because of complicated and diverse engineering geological conditions. Previous zonations have been based on qualitative approaches together with an overview of regional physio-geographic and geological settings. Such an approach is suitable for a broad regional development plan. However, it is not adequate for remediation of highways. In this paper, an interaction matrix approach was adopted and applied as an Engineering Geological Zonation Index (EZI) for the semi-quantitative analysis of the data from the Basu—Linzhi section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in China. Eight zonations and 19 sub-zonations of the section were made and evaluated, in accordance with a qualitative evaluation procedure. The results of the research presented in this paper will provide useful information for future railway design and construction.