Brown, I.R. 1975 Slope stability study, Nevis Bluff, Central Otago. Lower Hutt: New Zealand Geological Survey. New Zealand Geological Survey report EG 225 19 p.
Abstract: During the September 1974 study tour of the Clutha river area made by members of the Engineering Geology Section, N.Z. Geological Survey, the Nevis Bluff rock slope on State Highway 6 between Cromwell and Queenstown was visited (Fig. 1). The highway at Nevis Bluff was recently realigned following undercutting of the rock face by the Kawarua River. The narrow carriageway that had restricted heavy traffic was improved by excavation of the rock face above road level. The road cutting is about 500m long and 120m high. Road level is approximately 60m above the Kawarau River. Tension cracks at the top of the rock slope, discovered some time after road reconstruction was completed, gave concern to the Resident Engineer, MWD Alexandra, who is responsible for the safety of the slope. This large slope cut in schist was constructed without the benefits of the rock mechanics analysis, and following the study tour it was considered that a detailed study of the slope from a rock mechanics point of view might enable some predictions to be made as to the likely performance of the slope. (auth)
