Unit - I

GENERAL GEOLOGY
 GEOLOGY
Definition:
• The sciences that deal with one or more
aspects of the Earth as a planet are grouped
together as Earth science.
Geo-Earth ; Loges – science
Earth science  Geology

• It is the science that deals with the study of

Earth as a whole.
 Study of Earth as a Planet
Origin
• Hypothesis
• Continental drift theory
• Palaeo Magnetism
• Plate Tectonics
Age
• By Radioactivity
Structure
• Internal structure
• Evolution, modification and Extinction – surface and
subsurface features
• Mountains
• Plateaus
• Plains
• Valleys
• Basins
• Caves
• Coastal, marine and submarine forms

• Deals with the materials making up the Earth

• Atmosphere
• Lithosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Biosphere

• Considered as fundamental basic science like Physics,

Chemistry, Biology
 Branches of Geology
1. Physical Geology - The structural disposition of the rock bodies & huge bodies of
water & ice form other specific subjects of study is physical Geology. It deals with
internal agents (volcanism & earthquake) External agents (wind, water, ice &
atmosphere)
2. Geomorphology - The study of the features of the earth surfaces mainly the land like
mountains, plains, plateaus, valleys & basins.
3. Mineralogy - It deals with formation, occurrence, aggregation, properties & uses of
minerals crystallography branch mineralogy.
4. Petrology - It deals with formation of various types of rocks, their mode of
occurrence, their composition texture, structures, geological & graphical distribution
of rocks. It is subdivided into.
1. Palacogeography
2. Paleontology
3. Stratigiaphy
5. Economic Geology - It deals with study of minerals & rocks which can be exploited
for he benefits of man. These include.
1. Ore  Iron, aluminum, copper
2. Non Ore  building stones, rock salt, coal, petroleum, Natural gas
In addition,
1. Geochemistry - It is the branch of science that deals with the
chemical constitution of earth as a whole
2. Geophysics - It deals with important physics, processes & methods of
physics applied to solve many geological problems like geomagnetism
geo electrolyze etc.
3. Geo hydrology - It deals with interaction b/w hydrology & geology
4. Mining Geology - It is applied to mining practice
5. Engineering Geology - It deal with interaction b/w civil Engg
practices & geologist
6. Rock Mechanics – To check whether the load applied to rock is safe
for the construction
7. Geo mechanics - It is the Newly developing egg. Science which
concern with the study of Natural force fields as acting on the earth
8. Meteorology - The study of atmosphere/weather
9. Oceanography - Deals with oceans
 Engineering Geology

• EG may be defined as that branch of

applied sciences which deals with the
application of geology for a
• safe,
• Stable,
• economical design & construction of civil
engineering projects
 Scope of Geology in Engineering

The basic objects are of two fold

 It enables a civil engineer to understand Engg.
Implications of certain conditions related to the area of
construction, which are essentially geological in nature.

 It enables a geologist to understand the Nature of

geological information which is absolutely essential for a
safe design & construction of a civil engineering projects.
• The major activities of a
professional civil engineering are in
Construction job
Water Resource Development
Town & Regional Planning
 I) Geology in construction jobs
In all heavy construction jobs like
• Dams & reservoirs
• Tower
• Tanks
• Highways & bridges
• Traffic & hydro power tunnels
• Embankments & retaining structures
• Lining of canals
• Laying of drainage pipes etc
• We need to have a clear idea about the site, Planning,
Design, Construction.
1) Planning
Topographic Maps
• Relief features - essential to understand the merits & demerits
• The nature of slopes, depth of valley,
• Rate of change to elevation in various directions can be easily
computed.
Hydrological maps
• Surface & subsurface water channel, its occurrence & depth.
Geological Maps
• Rock types
• Structural disposition of rocks
• Materials of construction
• Exploratory operations (test holes etc.)
• Subsurface investigation
ii) Design
– The existence of hard bedrocks & their
depth from & inclination with the surface.
– The Mechanical properties of the rock
especially compressive, shear & transverse
strength, modulus of elasticity,
permeability & resistance to decay.
iii) Construction
– To check the quality control of the
construction materials like sands, gravels,
gushed rocks & soil.
– all are best understood in Geological
perspective.
II) Geology in water Resources Development

• Water is an basic needs to our life

• Water cycle is the term given to the sum total

of water cycle:
– evaporation of water from the hydrosphere + its
precipitation in the form of rain & snow + flow
back into the lakes, sea & oceans.

• It depends on Surface & subsurface water.

 III. Geology in Town & Regional planning

• A town planner is concerned with landscape

& its utilization
– i.e. maximum benefits with minimum of
disturbance to Natural environment.
• A regional planner is responsible for adopting
an integrated approach in all such cases of
allocation of land for development projects.
 Responsibilities of Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers and Geologist work together in Major Civil Engg Srtucture
in different levels:
1. Planning
2. Design
3. Construction
4. Maintanence

• Geological mapping
• Exploration
• Project planning
• Hydrological / surface water maps
• Hydrogeological maps
• Slope stability/landslide/landslip
• Hydraulic structure / Dams and Reservoirs
• Seismic hazard/seismicity
• Environmental Impact Assessment
 Geology in other fields
• Land evaluation
• Oceanography
• Space exploration nuclear explosions