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IS 14496 (Part 2) : 2000Guidelines for the preparation of landslide - Hazard zonation maps in mountainous terrains, Part 2: Macro-zonation

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EUR 22809 EN · Open-File Report 2008–1159 · CGS (2007)
CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMGeotechnical · Hill Area Development Engineering
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OverviewValues7InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 14496:2000 (Part 2) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guidelines for the preparation of landslide - hazard zonation maps in mountainous terrains, part 2: macro-zonation. This standard provides guidelines for preparing landslide hazard macro-zonation maps at a 1:50,000 scale for mountainous areas. It establishes a quantitative methodology based on the Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor (LHEF) rating scheme, which assesses factors like geology, slope, and land use. The goal is to classify land into different hazard zones for regional planning and disaster mitigation.

Guidelines for the preparation of landslide - Hazard zonation maps in mountainous terrains, Part 2: Macro-zonation

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Geotechnical — Hill Area Development Engineering
Type
Guidelines
International equivalents
EUR 22809 EN · Joint Research Centre (JRC), European CommissionOpen-File Report 2008–1159 · United States Geological Survey (USGS), USACGS (2007) · Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS), CanadaPLANAT-2017-E · Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Switzerland
Typically used with
IS 1893
Also on InfraLens for IS 14496
7Key values2Tables4FAQs

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

Practical Notes
! The LHEF rating scheme is a template; its values must be calibrated with local historical landslide data and field verification for accurate results.
! This macro-zonation is intended for regional planning, not for site-specific engineering design, which requires more detailed micro-zonation studies.
! The quality and resolution of input data (topographical maps, geological maps, satellite imagery) are critical for the accuracy of the final hazard map.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Methodology for Macro-zonationCl. 5Data InputCl. 6Landslide Hazard EvaluationCl. 7Preparation of Landslide Hazard Zonation MapAnnex A - Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor (LHEF) Rating Scheme
Pulled from IS 14496:2000. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
soilrockgeology

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EUR 22809 ENJoint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission
HighCurrent
Guidelines for Landslide Susceptibility, Hazard and Risk Zoning and Assessment
Provides a framework of methodologies for landslide zonation, covering the concepts addressed in the IS code.
Open-File Report 2008–1159United States Geological Survey (USGS), USA
HighCurrent
A method for producing digital landslide-hazard maps of the conterminous United States
Details a specific data-driven, semi-quantitative method for national-scale landslide hazard mapping.
CGS (2007)Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS), Canada
MediumCurrent
Canadian Technical Guidelines and Best Practice related to Landslides: A National Initiative for Loss Reduction
A comprehensive guide covering investigation and mitigation, including principles of hazard and risk zonation.
PLANAT-2017-EFederal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Switzerland
HighCurrent
Recommendation: Consideration of the landslide hazard in spatial planning activities
Outlines the practical application of hazard maps and zonation within a regulatory and spatial planning framework.
Key Differences
≠IS 14496 provides a single, prescriptive semi-quantitative methodology (LHEF rating). International guidelines (e.g., JRC) offer a flexible toolbox of qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative methods, advising users on selection based on scale, data, and purpose.
≠The IS code conflates 'susceptibility' and 'hazard'. Its LHEF method primarily assesses susceptibility (spatial probability). Modern international standards clearly distinguish between susceptibility (where), hazard (where and how often), and risk (consequences).
≠The Indian standard treats triggering factors like rainfall and seismicity qualitatively or through static proxies (e.g., drainage density). Advanced international practices incorporate dynamic modeling, using rainfall intensity-duration (ID) thresholds or probabilistic seismic analysis to assess temporal probability.
≠The LHEF model in IS 14496 is a simple additive model where factor ratings are summed. Many international statistical methods (e.g., Logistic Regression, Weights of Evidence) use more complex, data-calibrated weighting to avoid assuming equal importance for all parameters.
Key Similarities
≈All frameworks are based on the fundamental principle of using past and present conditions (geology, slope, land use) to forecast future landslide potential.
≈The core methodology in both the IS code and international equivalents involves overlaying thematic maps of various causative factors using a GIS-based approach to create a composite hazard map.
≈The set of causative factors considered in IS 14496 (lithology, structure, slope morphometry, land use, hydrogeology) is a classic and globally accepted list of predisposing factors for landslides.
≈The final output in all cases is a zonation map that categorizes the terrain into several classes of hazard or susceptibility (e.g., Low, Moderate, High), intended for use by planners and engineers.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Mapping Scale (Macro-zonation)1:50,000Fits within the 'Regional Scale' (typically 1:25,000 to 1:100,000)EUR 22809 EN
Hazard Zonation MethodSum of ratings of causative factors to get a Total Estimated Hazard (TEHD) score.Often based on statistical probability (0-1), classified into zones using methods like natural breaks or quantiles.EUR 22809 EN
Slope Angle RatingLinear rating increase with slope angle (e.g., >45° gets highest rating).Often non-linear; peak susceptibility is frequently observed in the 30°-45° range, with lower values for steeper rock slopes.USGS Open-File Report 2008–1159
Land Use/Cover FactorRatings assigned based on cover type (e.g., Dense Forest = lowest hazard, Barren Land = highest hazard).Conceptually identical; deep-rooted forest cover is universally recognized as stabilizing, while deforestation increases susceptibility.CGS (2007)
Lithology FactorRated based on rock/soil type (e.g., Massive Crystalline Rock = low, Unconsolidated Sediment = high).Same principle, but often classified into more detailed engineering-geological units based on strength, weathering, and structure.USGS Open-File Report 2008–1159
Role of RainfallConsidered indirectly via static hydrogeological factors like drainage density or qualitative moisture conditions.Explicitly used as a dynamic trigger in advanced hazard assessment via Intensity-Duration (ID) thresholds or hydrological modeling.EUR 22809 EN
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values7

Quick Reference Values
Recommended map scale for macro-zonation1:50 000
Number of causative factors in LHEF scheme6
Maximum LHEF rating for Lithology (rock type)2.0
TEHD value for 'Very High Hazard' zone> 7.5
TEHD value for 'High Hazard' zone6.0 - 7.5
TEHD value for 'Moderate Hazard' zone4.5 - 5.9
TEHD value for 'Low Hazard' zone3.0 - 4.4
Key Formulas
TEHD = Σ (Ratings of all causative factors) — Total Estimated Hazard is the sum of ratings for lithology, structure, slope, relief, land use/cover, and hydrogeology.

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor (LHEF) Rating Scheme
Table 2 - Description of Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) Categories
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Methodology for Macro-zonation
Clause 5 - Data Input
Clause 6 - Landslide Hazard Evaluation
Clause 7 - Preparation of Landslide Hazard Zonation Map
Annex A - Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor (LHEF) Rating Scheme

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1893:2016Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of S...
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Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the primary output of using this code?+
A Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) map, at a 1:50,000 scale, that categorizes terrain into five zones from 'Very High Hazard' to 'Very Low Hazard'.
What is the core method prescribed by IS 14496?+
The Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor (LHEF) rating scheme. It assigns numerical ratings to causative factors, and their sum gives the Total Estimated Hazard (TEHD) value for an area (Clause 6).
What are the main factors considered in the LHEF rating scheme?+
The six main factors are: Lithology (rock/soil type), Geological Structures, Slope Morphometry, Relative Relief, Land Use & Land Cover, and Hydrogeological Conditions (Table 1).
Can this guideline be used for designing a retaining wall for a specific site?+
No. This is for macro-level regional planning. Site-specific designs require detailed geotechnical investigation and micro-zonation at a much larger scale (e.g., 1:5,000 or 1:1,000).

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