Slope degradation and analysis of Mokattam plateau, Egypt

ABSTRACT: A newly suburban area called Mokattam City was constructed on the Mokattam high plateau. It overlooks the Nile valley at the site of Cairo. Mokattam high plateau rises above the flood plain of the Nile valley by about 180 meters. Geologically, it belongs to Eocene time and it is mainly covered by thick succession of limestone with thinner beds of shale and marl. Mokattam high plateau suffered occasional landslides at different locations. Frequent rock falls were observed along the southern edge of the plateau. The most significant was an edge failure that occurred in front of a five-storey hotel. The rock mass that slipped reached the edge of this hotel and left the footing of the corner column almost overhanging. Since then the problem was subject to various studies by several workers who attributed the problem to several causes including geological, morphological, physical and human factors. In this present work, thorough investigation and analysis of the problem have been made in order to assess the potential hazards due to rock fall and its causes. The study indicated that the problem occurred due to variety or combination of causes including geological, morphological, physical and human. However, the triggering factor was water infiltration due to rainfall and human activities. Geological and morphological conditions lead to the susceptibility to rock fall caused by water infiltration. Limestone in the area is primarily porous and highly jointed, thus allowing penetration of water that descend and occur on underlying plain. Infiltration and run off of water into cavitie