IS 14243 (Part 1) : 2000Guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, Part 1: Microzonation of urban centres

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CGS Special Publication 117A · EN 1997-1 · JGS 0051

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMGeotechnical · Rock Mechanics

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

IS 14243:2000 (Part 1) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, part 1: microzonation of urban centres. This standard provides guidelines for urban microzonation in hill areas to assess natural hazards, primarily landslides and earthquakes. It outlines a methodology for creating hazard zonation maps by rating factors such as geology, slope, and seismic activity. The resulting maps help guide safe site selection and urban development to minimize risk to life and property.

Guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, Part 1: Microzonation of urban centres

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Geotechnical — Rock Mechanics
Type: Guidelines

International equivalents

CGS Special Publication 117A · California Geological Survey (CGS), USA EN 1997-1:2004 · European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe JGS 0051-2006 · Japanese Geotechnical Society, Japan AGS (2007) Guidelines · Australian Geomechanics Society, Australia

Typically used with

IS 1893 IS 2720

Also on InfraLens for IS 14243

6Key values 3Tables 4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes

! Drainage is the single most critical factor for ensuring slope stability in hill areas; prioritize comprehensive surface and sub-surface drainage planning.

! The guideline to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees is a crucial starting point. Developing on steeper slopes is technically possible but significantly increases complexity and cost.

! This document is a 'guideline', not a mandatory 'code'. Its application requires significant engineering judgment and must be supplemented by detailed site-specific geotechnical investigations.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Site Investigation and Data Collection Cl. 5Evaluation of Site and Selection Cl. 6Development of Site (Cutting and Filling)Cl. 7Slope Stability and Protection Measures Annex A - Checklist for Site Selection Annex B - Slope Instability Potential (SIP)

soilrocklandslide debris

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

CGS Special Publication 117ACalifornia Geological Survey (CGS), USA

HighCurrent

Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California

Provides a framework for zonation of geological hazards (seismic) to guide land-use planning and construction permitting.

EN 1997-1:2004European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe

MediumCurrent

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design — Part 1: General rules

Covers the geotechnical investigation and design principles that form the basis for assessing site stability, a key input for microzonation.

JGS 0051-2006Japanese Geotechnical Society, Japan

MediumCurrent

Method for Zonation of Seismic Ground Motion

Focuses on the methodology of microzonation based on geotechnical properties, although specifically for seismic response rather than landslide risk.

AGS (2007) GuidelinesAustralian Geomechanics Society, Australia

HighCurrent

Guideline for Landslide Susceptibility, Hazard and Risk Zoning for Land Use Planning

Directly addresses landslide hazard zonation for land-use planning, which is the core purpose of IS 14243-1.

Key Differences

≠IS 14243 is a guideline with a prescriptive methodology using a Total Estimated Hazard (TEHD) score. In contrast, international practices like those in California (CGS SP 117A) are often tied to legal mandates and trigger site-specific quantitative analysis rather than providing a pre-defined hazard score.

≠The Indian standard is specifically focused on landslide hazards in hill areas. Many international equivalents have a broader or different focus, such as seismic hazards (liquefaction, fault rupture) in CGS SP 117A or general geotechnical design principles in Eurocode 7.

≠IS 14243 aims to produce a single, composite Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) map. In contrast, frameworks like CGS SP 117A produce separate, hazard-specific maps (e.g., one for liquefaction, one for earthquake-induced landslides), which are then used in combination.

≠The recommended mapping scale in IS 14243 (1:5,000) for urban areas is significantly more detailed than the typical regional hazard mapping scale used in some international standards, such as the 1:24,000 scale for California's official Seismic Hazard Zone Maps.

Key Similarities

≈Both IS 14243 and its international counterparts share the primary objective of reducing risk to life and property from geohazards through systematic land classification and planning.

≈The core methodology of using a GIS-based overlay of multiple thematic maps (e.g., geology, slope, hydrology, land use) is a fundamental and common practice across both the Indian standard and international guidelines for any hazard zonation.

≈All standards utilize a multi-tiered classification system to define hazard levels (e.g., 'Very High Hazard' to 'Low Hazard' in IS 14243), which helps planners and engineers apply graduated development controls.

≈The process in both IS 14243 and international standards relies on the integration of diverse datasets, including geological maps, geotechnical investigations, topographical data (DEMs), and hydrological conditions to build a comprehensive hazard model.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Primary Hazard Focus	Landslides (debris flows, rockfalls, etc.) in hill areas.	Earthquake-induced hazards (liquefaction, landslides).	CGS Special Publication 117A
Recommended Map Scale (Urban)	1:5,000	1:24,000 for official regulatory maps.	CGS Special Publication 117A
Final Zonation Output	A single composite 'Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) Map'.	A set of separate maps for each specific hazard (e.g., liquefaction map, landslide map).	CGS Special Publication 117A
Hazard Categorization	5 levels based on a calculated Total Estimated Hazard (TEHD) score (Very High, High, etc.).	Binary 'Zone of Required Investigation' for each hazard type. The level of hazard is then determined by a site-specific study.	CGS Special Publication 117A
Key Geotechnical Input for Zonation	Thematic maps including lithology, structure, slope, and hydrology.	Shear Wave Velocity in the top 30m (Vs30), soil classification, depth to groundwater.	JGS 0051-2006
Slope Angle Threshold for High Hazard	Often considers slopes >35° as having a high to very high hazard rating.	Generally, slopes >30° are considered to require detailed slope stability analysis.	Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Guidelines
Project Risk Classification	Risk is defined by the hazard zone the site falls into (e.g., 'High Hazard Zone').	Defines 'Geotechnical Categories' (1, 2, 3) based on project complexity and ground risk, which dictates the level of investigation required.	EN 1997-1:2004

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values

Maximum recommended general site slope30 degrees (Clause 5.4.1)

Minimum factor of safety for permanent cut slopes (static)1.5

Minimum factor of safety for permanent cut slopes (seismic)1.1

Maximum height of unsupported vertical cut in hard rock6 m (Clause 7.2.1)

Minimum berm width on cut slopes1.0 m to 1.5 m (Clause 7.2.1)

Recommended slope for benches/berms1 in 10 towards the drain (Clause 7.2.1)

Key Formulas

F.S. = Σ Resisting Forces / Σ Driving Forces — Fundamental formula for Slope Stability Analysis

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Checklist for Data Collection

Table 2 - Qualitative Expression for Slope Instability Potential (SIP)

Table 3 - Guideline for Maximum Slope for Cut and Fill in Different Soils/Rocks

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Site Investigation and Data Collection

Clause 5 - Evaluation of Site and Selection

Clause 6 - Development of Site (Cutting and Filling)

Clause 7 - Slope Stability and Protection Measures

Annex A - Checklist for Site Selection

Annex B - Slope Instability Potential (SIP)

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the maximum slope considered safe for building construction?+

The code advises against sites with a general slope steeper than 30 degrees. Such slopes are considered prone to instability and require extensive, costly stabilization measures (Clause 5.4.1).

What factor of safety (FoS) is needed for a cut slope?+

A minimum FoS of 1.5 for permanent slopes under static conditions is the standard practice recommended. For seismic conditions, this can be reduced to around 1.1 to 1.2.

What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2 of IS 14243?+

Part 1 covers large-scale landslide hazard zonation (macro-zonation), while Part 2 provides guidelines for site-specific selection and development (micro-zonation).

Does this code specify how to perform slope stability analysis?+

It doesn't specify formulas but recommends methods like the limit equilibrium method (e.g., Swedish circle method, Bishop's method) and advises considering factors like geology, hydrology, and seismic forces (Clause 7.1).

QA/QC Inspection Templates

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QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 14243 (Part 1) : 2000Guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, Part 1: Microzonation of urban centres

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

CGS Special Publication 117A · EN 1997-1 · JGS 0051

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMGeotechnical · Rock Mechanics

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

Guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, Part 1: Microzonation of urban centres

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Geotechnical — Rock Mechanics
Type: Guidelines

International equivalents

Typically used with

IS 1893 IS 2720

Also on InfraLens for IS 14243

6Key values 3Tables 4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes

! Drainage is the single most critical factor for ensuring slope stability in hill areas; prioritize comprehensive surface and sub-surface drainage planning.

! The guideline to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees is a crucial starting point. Developing on steeper slopes is technically possible but significantly increases complexity and cost.

! This document is a 'guideline', not a mandatory 'code'. Its application requires significant engineering judgment and must be supplemented by detailed site-specific geotechnical investigations.

Frequently referenced clauses

soilrocklandslide debris

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

CGS Special Publication 117ACalifornia Geological Survey (CGS), USA

HighCurrent

Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California

Provides a framework for zonation of geological hazards (seismic) to guide land-use planning and construction permitting.

EN 1997-1:2004European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe

MediumCurrent

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design — Part 1: General rules

Covers the geotechnical investigation and design principles that form the basis for assessing site stability, a key input for microzonation.

JGS 0051-2006Japanese Geotechnical Society, Japan

MediumCurrent

Method for Zonation of Seismic Ground Motion

Focuses on the methodology of microzonation based on geotechnical properties, although specifically for seismic response rather than landslide risk.

AGS (2007) GuidelinesAustralian Geomechanics Society, Australia

HighCurrent

Guideline for Landslide Susceptibility, Hazard and Risk Zoning for Land Use Planning

Directly addresses landslide hazard zonation for land-use planning, which is the core purpose of IS 14243-1.

Key Differences

Key Similarities

≈Both IS 14243 and its international counterparts share the primary objective of reducing risk to life and property from geohazards through systematic land classification and planning.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Primary Hazard Focus	Landslides (debris flows, rockfalls, etc.) in hill areas.	Earthquake-induced hazards (liquefaction, landslides).	CGS Special Publication 117A
Recommended Map Scale (Urban)	1:5,000	1:24,000 for official regulatory maps.	CGS Special Publication 117A
Final Zonation Output	A single composite 'Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) Map'.	A set of separate maps for each specific hazard (e.g., liquefaction map, landslide map).	CGS Special Publication 117A
Hazard Categorization	5 levels based on a calculated Total Estimated Hazard (TEHD) score (Very High, High, etc.).	Binary 'Zone of Required Investigation' for each hazard type. The level of hazard is then determined by a site-specific study.	CGS Special Publication 117A
Key Geotechnical Input for Zonation	Thematic maps including lithology, structure, slope, and hydrology.	Shear Wave Velocity in the top 30m (Vs30), soil classification, depth to groundwater.	JGS 0051-2006
Slope Angle Threshold for High Hazard	Often considers slopes >35° as having a high to very high hazard rating.	Generally, slopes >30° are considered to require detailed slope stability analysis.	Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Guidelines
Project Risk Classification	Risk is defined by the hazard zone the site falls into (e.g., 'High Hazard Zone').	Defines 'Geotechnical Categories' (1, 2, 3) based on project complexity and ground risk, which dictates the level of investigation required.	EN 1997-1:2004

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values

Maximum recommended general site slope30 degrees (Clause 5.4.1)

Minimum factor of safety for permanent cut slopes (static)1.5

Minimum factor of safety for permanent cut slopes (seismic)1.1

Maximum height of unsupported vertical cut in hard rock6 m (Clause 7.2.1)

Minimum berm width on cut slopes1.0 m to 1.5 m (Clause 7.2.1)

Recommended slope for benches/berms1 in 10 towards the drain (Clause 7.2.1)

Key Formulas

F.S. = Σ Resisting Forces / Σ Driving Forces — Fundamental formula for Slope Stability Analysis

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Checklist for Data Collection

Table 2 - Qualitative Expression for Slope Instability Potential (SIP)

Table 3 - Guideline for Maximum Slope for Cut and Fill in Different Soils/Rocks

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Site Investigation and Data Collection

Clause 5 - Evaluation of Site and Selection

Clause 6 - Development of Site (Cutting and Filling)

Clause 7 - Slope Stability and Protection Measures

Annex A - Checklist for Site Selection

Annex B - Slope Instability Potential (SIP)

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the maximum slope considered safe for building construction?+

The code advises against sites with a general slope steeper than 30 degrees. Such slopes are considered prone to instability and require extensive, costly stabilization measures (Clause 5.4.1).

What factor of safety (FoS) is needed for a cut slope?+

A minimum FoS of 1.5 for permanent slopes under static conditions is the standard practice recommended. For seismic conditions, this can be reduced to around 1.1 to 1.2.

What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2 of IS 14243?+

Part 1 covers large-scale landslide hazard zonation (macro-zonation), while Part 2 provides guidelines for site-specific selection and development (micro-zonation).

Does this code specify how to perform slope stability analysis?+

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 14243 (Part 1) : 2000Guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, Part 1: Microzonation of urban centres

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values6

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates

IS 14243 (Part 1) : 2000Guidelines for selection and development of the site for building in hill areas, Part 1: Microzonation of urban centres

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values6

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates