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).

IS 14496

: 2000

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

CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesBIMGeotechnical · Hill Area Development Engineering

Download PDF BIS Portal Google

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

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.

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.