GTU Scientists Study the Natakhtari-Mleti Section of the Military Road
02-09-2025
A scientist’ group from the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology at Georgian Technical University is conducting an engineering and geological study as part of a grant project on “Engineering and geological survey of the Natakhtari-Mleti section of the Georgian military road for the purpose of traffic safety”.
The scientists’ team includes Zurab Kakulia, Giorgi Gaprindashvili, Irakli Ramishvili, Dali Chutkerashvili, and Giorgi Tlashadze.
The project is headed by Zurab Varazashvili. The primary objective of the study is to assess the engineering and geological processes affecting one of the busiest sections of the Georgian Military Road. Specifically, the study aims to identify and evaluate risk factors that threaten the stability of the road and the safety of its traffic. The research involves monitoring and analysis of complex geodynamic processes, such as landslides, erosion, and destructive events caused by sediment.
According to Zurab Varazashvili, a senior researcher at the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology of the Georgian Technical University, there are many sensitive areas and regions in Georgia; however, the most important in terms of its activity and consequences is the Aragvi River Gorge, with various types of hazards arising from the slopes there.
“The transport corridor where we are conducting research is located in a mountainous terrain. The geological conditions here are quite difficult, which plays a major role in the development of modern geodynamic events and processes, and all this has a negative impact on the safe functioning of the road. The Georgian Military Road and its Natakhtari-Mleta section, against the backdrop of large-scale transformations taking place in the world today, are not only a means of transportation, but also a political artery on which the interests of both our immediate neighboring states and other Asian countries depend. The bandwidth of this transport corridor is not satisfactory. Along with many other factors, it is precisely mudslides and other geodynamic events that hinder it. The results of the research will allow us to determine the scale of the impact of dangerous geological events (in our case, only mudslides are meant) on specific areas and determine the conditions under which this event will occur. It is also possible to select appropriate protective measures. All this is very important for the protection of various buildings, especially linear structures,” states Zurab Varazashvili.
According to Mikheil Janikashvili, Head of the GTU Department of Science and Innovations, the final results of the study will contribute to both immediate decision-making by state structures and the safe and sustainable functioning of the international transport corridor.
“The engineering and geological survey of the Natakhtari-Mleti section of the Georgian Military Road is a highly significant scientific project aimed at the systematic study of geodynamic processes affecting one of the most important transport arteries of the country and the scientific provision of their prediction. The works are particularly important due to the fact that the mentioned section is distinguished by difficult conditions and diverse natural processes that pose a threat. The research carried out by the scientific group of the Institute is based on a complex approach that combines modern methods of geology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, and remote sensing. Such an integrated analysis makes it possible to identify existing and potential geological risks, accurately determine their spatial distribution, and predict their dynamics. The results obtained will not only expand our knowledge of the geological structure and processes of the region but also create a scientific basis for the development of practical recommendations, which is especially important for the safety and sustainability of transport infrastructure. In addition, the project emphasizes the research potential of the university, which is aimed at both solving fundamental scientific problems and effectively implementing them in practice,” said Mikheil Janikashvili.
The grant project “Engineering and geological survey of the Natakhtari-Mleti section of the Georgian military road for the purpose of traffic safety” will be completed in 2027.
The scientists’ team includes Zurab Kakulia, Giorgi Gaprindashvili, Irakli Ramishvili, Dali Chutkerashvili, and Giorgi Tlashadze.
The project is headed by Zurab Varazashvili. The primary objective of the study is to assess the engineering and geological processes affecting one of the busiest sections of the Georgian Military Road. Specifically, the study aims to identify and evaluate risk factors that threaten the stability of the road and the safety of its traffic. The research involves monitoring and analysis of complex geodynamic processes, such as landslides, erosion, and destructive events caused by sediment.
According to Zurab Varazashvili, a senior researcher at the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology of the Georgian Technical University, there are many sensitive areas and regions in Georgia; however, the most important in terms of its activity and consequences is the Aragvi River Gorge, with various types of hazards arising from the slopes there.
“The transport corridor where we are conducting research is located in a mountainous terrain. The geological conditions here are quite difficult, which plays a major role in the development of modern geodynamic events and processes, and all this has a negative impact on the safe functioning of the road. The Georgian Military Road and its Natakhtari-Mleta section, against the backdrop of large-scale transformations taking place in the world today, are not only a means of transportation, but also a political artery on which the interests of both our immediate neighboring states and other Asian countries depend. The bandwidth of this transport corridor is not satisfactory. Along with many other factors, it is precisely mudslides and other geodynamic events that hinder it. The results of the research will allow us to determine the scale of the impact of dangerous geological events (in our case, only mudslides are meant) on specific areas and determine the conditions under which this event will occur. It is also possible to select appropriate protective measures. All this is very important for the protection of various buildings, especially linear structures,” states Zurab Varazashvili.
According to Mikheil Janikashvili, Head of the GTU Department of Science and Innovations, the final results of the study will contribute to both immediate decision-making by state structures and the safe and sustainable functioning of the international transport corridor.
“The engineering and geological survey of the Natakhtari-Mleti section of the Georgian Military Road is a highly significant scientific project aimed at the systematic study of geodynamic processes affecting one of the most important transport arteries of the country and the scientific provision of their prediction. The works are particularly important due to the fact that the mentioned section is distinguished by difficult conditions and diverse natural processes that pose a threat. The research carried out by the scientific group of the Institute is based on a complex approach that combines modern methods of geology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, and remote sensing. Such an integrated analysis makes it possible to identify existing and potential geological risks, accurately determine their spatial distribution, and predict their dynamics. The results obtained will not only expand our knowledge of the geological structure and processes of the region but also create a scientific basis for the development of practical recommendations, which is especially important for the safety and sustainability of transport infrastructure. In addition, the project emphasizes the research potential of the university, which is aimed at both solving fundamental scientific problems and effectively implementing them in practice,” said Mikheil Janikashvili.
The grant project “Engineering and geological survey of the Natakhtari-Mleti section of the Georgian military road for the purpose of traffic safety” will be completed in 2027.
