Slope Stability Analyses and Design for a Telecommunication Tower Site in Kodagu—Limit Equilibrium and Finite Element Approach with Spatial Data Integration

Abstract

This paper examines slope stability issues at the All-India Radio Telecommunication tower site in Kodagu, Coorg, Karnataka, India, where the hillock on which the tower stands has shown signs of instability after the monsoon of 2022. This study proposes reclamation strategies to mitigate future landslips in the region. A spatial analysis utilizing open-source Digital Elevation Models and Scoop3D software was performed to identify critical locations prone to landslips. The designs were assessed using the Limit Equilibrium method (LEM) and Finite Element method (FEM). Both static and pseudo-static conditions were considered in the analyses, with and without reinforcement, using the Limit Equilibrium Method and Finite Element Method. The proposed design aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 and 11, demonstrating a significant increase in the Factor of Safety by more than 10%. The study recommends a geocell-based hybrid retaining system as a comprehensive solution to enhance slope stability and protect the site from future landslips. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.