FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BCE2206 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

FINAL EXAMINATIONS SECOND SEMESTER SECOND YEAR 2015

DATE: TIME:

INSTRUCTIONS:

[1] This examination paper consists of seven (7) questions on four pages.
[2] Answer one and any other four questions for full marks.
[3] Make any reasonable assumptions where you deem necessary.
[4] The weight of each question is indicated.
[5] Submit all used answer booklets.

Question 1 [20 Marks]

Discontinuities in a rock mass reduce its effective shear strength, at least in a direction parallel to the
discontinuities. The strike and dip directions of discontinuities are therefore always considered while
undertaking the field for any geological investigations. They can be measured with a compass and
the amount of dip with clinometers.

a) With neat diagrammatic sketches describe what is meant by the term strike and dip
of any given discontinuity (6 marks).
b) What are the strike direction and the possible dip directions of the sedimentary
rocks in maps A below ?(4 marks)
c) Giving reasons for your answers, arrange the layers in map A below in decreasing
order of the age (10 marks).

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Question 2 [20 Marks]

a) Discuss the different stages and methods involved in geological exploration of an

engineering site (10 marks).
b) Briefly discuss how you can practically measure the following index properties of rocks,
indicating the relevant formula/formulae and equipment (s) where necessary (5 marks
each).
i. Specific gravity of rocks with lower porosities (<10%)
ii. Saturated moisture content.

Question 3 [20 Marks]

a) Name and discuss the four different properties of rocks in order to be used as road stone
(10 marks).
b) Name and discuss any five criterions for which rock aggregate should be accessed on for
its suitability for use in concrete (10 marks).

Question 4 [20 Marks]

(a) Discuss the different methods of slope control and stabilization (8 marks).
(b) Write short notice on the following methods of excavation (4 marks each).

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 I. Drilling and Blasting
II. Ripping
III. Digging

Question 5 [20 Marks]

Redraw and fill in the following table as regards to composition and civil engineering application of
different types of cement.

Type of cement Composition Engineering

purpose/application(s)
Rapid Hardening Cement

Quick setting cement

High Alumina Cement

Coloured cement

Pozzolanic Cement

Hydrographic cement

Low Heat Cement

Sulphates resisting cement

Blast Furnace Slag Cement

White Cement

Question 6 [20 Marks]

Discuss the different processes involved in the manufacture of different types of cement.

Question 7 [20 Marks]

Write short notice on the following engineering concepts as regards discontinuities in a given rock
mass (5 marks each).

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 I. Rock Quality Designation, RQD,
II. Joint Roughness Coefficient, JRC
III. Compressional Wave Velocity, Vcf,
IV. Laboratory Sonic Velocity, Vcl.

END