MARCO.

B BULAN BSCE – 2A

“GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION IN

CIVIL ENGINEERING”

5.2 GEOLOGICAL METHODS

INTRODUCTION…..
 Geological investigations commonly conducted in the agency focus on siting and
designing engineering practices, ranging from high-hazard classification earth fill dams
to farm ponds and animal waste storage or treatment structures. Additionally, geologists
investigate landslides and their potential to occur, structural failures or deficiencies in
practices already built, and participate in stream restoration planning, design, and
implementation.
 Geologic site investigations and soil mechanics tests are done in sufficient detail and
intensity for planning, design, and implementation of conservation engineering practices.
The procedures and intensity of investigation and the kinds of samples taken therefore
vary from site to site and for the particular purpose or structure.
 Geologic investigations may also be accomplished through the use of remote sensing
techniques or other noninvasive methods that characterize mass properties of in site earth
materials. Additionally, topographic, land use, and other earth science information are
available in digital form, allowing advanced analysis of geologic site conditions.
 These may be divided into two main groups: the surface investigations and the
subsurface investigations.

SURFACE INVESTIGATION
 These include preparation of topographic maps (if these are not already available) using
the normal mapping techniques. In fact all field surveys begin with the preparation (or
availability) of topographic maps showing elevation contours relative to some datum.
 1.) Aerial Surveys 
 2.) Photogeology
 3.) Hydrogeological Surveys
1.) AERIAL SURVEYS
 and preparation of photogeological maps are the latest methods of surface investigations.
The entire area involving an engineering study is photographed using sophisticated
cameras and controls from low flying aero planes. These maps are then interpreted to
provide sufficiently accurate geological details of the area surveyed.

2.) PHOTOGEOLOGY
 is now a branch of geology in its own right and is fast acquiring an important place. Its
scope is enlarged by mapping of vast areas of the globe through satellites. Imageries
obtained from satellite surveys and aerial surveys, when interpreted properly, provide
useful details regarding rock outcrops on the surface with possibilities of estimating their
subsurface configuration.

3.) HYDROGEOLOGICAL SURVEYS

 to obtain hydrogeological details of the area are also conducted partly on the surface
with a view of recording following details that are of immense help in the later
studies:
i.                    Drainage pattern of the area and discharge;
ii.                  Location and discharge details of springs and other leakage points;
iii.                Location of wells  and measurements of water levels after intervals to
note aberrations in behavior with time;
iv.                 Precipitation and evaporation details.
  All surface surveys, however carefully carried out, can give only superficial details.
These could broadly be classed as preliminary surveys and have necessarily to be
followed by well-planned subsurface investigations which would provide fairly accurate
idea about the subsurface geological conditions at the most critical locations.

SUB-SURFACE INVESTIGATION
 These are accomplished by following two broad methods: direct subsurface explorations
and indirect subsurface explorations. The direct methods  involve examination of rocks
or materials of the underground by digging of drill holes, trial pits, adits, shafts, galleries
and exploratory tunnels. In such explorations, both the underground areas are reached for
direct examination and testing or samples are obtained which are examined and tested in
the laboratory. The indirect methods of subsurface explorations are used extensively and
involve application of geophysical techniques for obtaining fairly accurate idea of
subsurface geology.

1.) DIRECT METHODS

 -A more detailed description of underground conditions at specific locations revealed
with direct investigation methods that are obtain information by physically sampling
or testing soil, rock and groundwater. The sampling or testing devices are inserted
into a borehole advanced into the ground by drilling methods, and either samples are
returned to the surface for evaluation and testing, or the properties of the
underground profile are measured by in-place testing.

2.) INDIRECT METHODS

 The indirect approach to evaluating subsurface conditions includes all methods that
acquire information without physically invading or penetrating the ground surface.
Such methods include interpreting and evaluating aerial photographs, geologic maps,
groundwater contour maps, topographic maps, and other types of published
information, along with geophysical methods.
OBJECTIVES OF SUB-SURFACE INVESTIGATION
1.) Identify and delineate geologic units
2.) Describe the units systematically:
• Include information on field identification
• Extent of weathering or density or compressibility
3.) Identify features such as joints, faults, slickensides
4.) Conduct simple (index) tests during investigation
5.) Assess hydrogeologic conditions
6.) Extract samples of geologic units and groundwater for laboratory testing
7.) Install instrumentation
         To monitor time dependent changes in sub-surface conditions.
Examples are: Creepmeters, Strain meters and Tiltmeters