The Influence of Climatic, Geological and Hydrodynamic Factors on Slope Stability at Kekem in the West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

This study focuses on the influence of climatic, geological and hydrodynamic factors on slope stability of Kekem located in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The methodological approach was based on the analysis of three factors: hydrological, geological and assessment of the hydrodynamic parameters influencing the stability of slopes. The hydrological factors indicate an average annual rainfall of 1,763.04 mm, generating 248.59 mm of runoff and around 402.61 mm of infiltrated water. Geologically, the soils have a high angle of friction at all three elevations, from 25.8° at the bottom of the slope to 27.2° at mid-slope and 26.2° at the top. On the other hand, the cohesion of these soils remains low, varying from 0.325 bar at the bottom of the slope to 0.265 bar at the top and 0.225 bar at mid-slope. Permeability analysis yielded values ranging from 1 x 10-9 to 1 x 10-11 m/s, with an overall porosity of around 55%. These conditions, combined with the morphology of the environment, are the main causes of slope instability in the Kekem district.