Role of Engineering Geology In Civil Engg.

Introduction to the Subject, Object, Scope and

Subdivisions of Geology

1. Geology- derived from the Greek word

GEO: Earth and LOGOS: Science.

2. Study of Geology- studies related to the origin,

formation and denudation of the earth.

3. Deals with the studies related to various surface

and sub-surface physical features like Mountains,
Plateaus, Plains, Valleys, Basins, Caves and all
Coastal, Marine and submarine forms.
 Sub-divisions of Geology
Physical Geology
Geomorphology
Mineralogy
Petrology
Economic Geology
Historical Geology
Allied Science
◦ Geochemistry
◦ Geophysics
◦ Geohydrology
◦ Mining Geology
◦ Engineering Geology
◦ Rock Mechanics
◦ Geomechanics
◦ Metrology
◦ Oceanography
Physical Geology: origin, development and ultimate
fate of various surfacial features of earth.
The role played by internal (Volcanism and Earthquakes)
and external (Wind, Water, Ice) agents on the physical
features on the earth
Geomorphology: features of the surface of the earth,
primarily of the land surface. Detailed investigations
regarding

development and disposition of mountains, plains,

plateaus, valleys and basins and various other
landforms associated with them.
Mineralogy: study of formation, occurrence,
aggregation, properties and uses of minerals.
Petrology: Minerals occurring in natural aggregated
form are called rocks. These rocks forms the building
blocks that makes up the crust of the earth. Formation
of various types of rocks, their mode of occurrence,
composition, textures and structures, geological and
geographical distribution on the earth are all studied
under the title petrology.
Economic Geology: study of minerals and rocks and
other such material (Coal and Petroleum) occurring in
the crust that can be exploited asa ORE.
Historical Geology: It is also called as STRATIGRAPHY
and deals with the past history of the earth. From the
study of its rock stratified and unstratified rocks are
treated asthe pages of the earth history.
Each having the information about the time during
which it was formed and also the imprints (fossils left
on its formation) when these rocks are properly
interpreted can reveal vital information about the
climate, biological activities and the environmental
conditions of the past; all these lies in the historical
geology.
 Geology is applied in:
Foundation engineering- assessment of soil conditions.
Construction material engineering – quality of stones,
lime, cement etc.
Infrastructure engineering - Location of bridges, tunnels,
river meandering zones.
Disaster mitigation – seismic resistant structural design,
flood control, river training, waterway of bridges
Land-use engineering – soil erosion control, natural
drainage,
Water Resources engineering – Hydrogeology (reservoir
capacity, siltation etc.), source and quality of aquifer and
water.
Environmental engineering – ecological balance, solid
waste management by landfill.
 Scope of geology

• In Civil Engineering Geology provides necessary information

about the site of construction of buildings, dams,
• tunnels,
• tanks, reservoirs,
• highways
• and bridges.
• Geological information is most important in planning phase,
design phase and construction phase of an engineering
projects.
 Engineering Geology

• is the application of geology in design, construction and

performance of civil engineering works

• Engineering geological studies may be performed during

the planning, environmental impact analysis, civil or
structural engineering design, value engineering and
construction phase of public and private works projects,
and during post-construction and forensic phase of
projects.
 Application of geology in Civil Engineering
• For all types of civil engineering structures geological information about
the desired site is important. This information governs the vital
important in
 Planning
• Topological map
• Hydrological map
• Geological map
 Designing
• Presence hard rock, their depth, and inclination with surface
• Mechanical properties of rocks
• Presence of structural weakness
• Position of ground water table and seismic nature of the area.
 Construction
 Planning:
 I t provides the engineer witha general guidance about
the suitability of the site for a proposed project.
•  It enables the engineer to appreciate the limiting factors
imposed upon his planning by topography, geomorphology,
ground water conditions etc. of the area.
•  It gives the engineer a general idea about the availability
of different types of construction material.
•  It guides him in limiting the exploratory operation
(Drilling) for selecting the final site to such number as would
be absolutely essential.
 a).Planning

I. Topographic maps
• A maps which gives the details of different
features & are essential to understand merits
& demerits of all different possible site of
making structure.
• Also include valleys (a long depression in the surface
of the land that usually contains a river) & gorge (a narrow
pass (especially one between mountains)) can be easily
computed from maps.
II. Hydrological maps
• Gives surface water & ground water & also with occurrence
& depth of contours of water catchment area.
III. Geological maps
• Rock types.
• Fracturing & displacement of rocks.
• Availability of construction materials.
 In Town and Regional Planning:

◦ The major factor in town planning is the allocation of

site for industrial site is dependant on the
geomorphology of the region.
◦ During the formation of city the design prepared for the
drainage and drinking water should not coincide with
each other.
◦ The study of the water cycle is an essential section for
planning and execution of a major water levelprogram.
 Designing:

◦ The existence of hard rock and their depth from an

inclination with the surface.
◦ Mechanical properties of the rocks along the
proposed site, especially, bearing strength, shear
strength, modulus of elasticity, permeability and
resistance to decay and disintegration.
◦ Presence of structurally weak plans (Joints, Faults and
Fractures) and weak zones (Peat deposits and sheared
zones) especially at critical regions of a site selected
for the project.
b) Design
• Matter of designing an engineering project, the
role of geological information is very important.
i) Existence of hard bed rocks & their depth from &
inclination with the surface
ii) Mechanical properties along & across of site
• Compressive strength
• Shear strength
• Porosity & permeability
• Modulus of elasticity
iii. On earth surface plane of weakness
iv. Zone of weak material
v. Ground water table
vi. Seismic zone (earthquake zone)
c) Construction
• Selection of right type of material, which should be nearer
to construction site of rock bed.

• Knowledge of quality control of material comes from the

knowing basic properties of materials.

• In seismic region structure should light weight, for that

light weight material used.

• Large structure like dam, bridge, tunnel – must have

knowledge geology.
 SCOPE OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

In construction Jobs: In all types of heavy construction

like building tower, dams, reservoirs, highways, bridges,
traffic and hydropower tunnel and retaining structure.
The geological information about the site of construction
(or excavation) and about the natural materials of
construction is of paramount importance. This information
is vital for planning realistic and designing and economic
excavation of one and all of such projects.
 Geology of Dam Sites

• The Success of a dam is not only related to its own

safety and stability but also to the success of
associated reservoirs. In other words, on
construction, if a dam stands firmly but if its
reservoirs leaks profusely then such a dam is to be
treated only as a failure because the purpose for
which it was constructed was not served.
 Geology of Dam Sites

• Therefore, utmost care is needed in planning for the

success of both the dams and the reservoir.
• Careful geological studies bring out the inherent
advantage or disadvantage of a site and such
studies go a long way either in reducing or in
increasing the cost of a dam considerably.
 Geology of Dam Sites
• The Important Geological requirements
which should be considered in the selection of
a dam are as follows:
• Narrow River Valleys
• Occurrence of the bedrock at a shallow
depth.
• Competent rocks to offer a stable
foundation
• Proper Geological Structures
 Geology of Dam Sites

• Effects of Associated Geological Structures

• For the stability of a dam, the occurrence of
favorable geological structure is a very important
requirement. Under structural geology we have
learnt that those rocks bear certain inherent or
original physical properties, such characters get
modified either advantageously or
disadvantageously when geological structure
occurs in those rocks.
 Geology of Dam Sites
Beds Which Have Joints
• Among the different geological structures, joints are
the most common and are found to occur in all
kinds of rocks, almost everywhere.
• But Since the rocks with these joints are not under any
strain, and also because of the scope to overcome their
effects easily by simple treatment, they are not
considered as serious defects. Grouting is generally
capable of overcoming the adverse effects of joints
because it fill the gaps of joints, increase
compactness and competency of the rocks & reduce
porosity & permeability.
 Tunnels
• Tunnels are underground passages or routes (or
passages through hills or mountains) used for different
purposes. They are made by excavation of rocks
below the surface or through the hills or mountains.
• Like dams, bridges and reservoirs, tunnels are also
very important civil engineering projects, but with
some differences.
• Unlike other civil engineering constructions which
lie on the surface, generally, tunnels lie underground
(i.e.. within the rocks). For this reason, the needs for
their safety and stability is much more important.
Tunnels
 Tunnels
Effects Of Tunneling On The Ground
• The tunneling process deteriorates the physical
conditions of the ground. This happens because due
to heavy and repeated blasting excavation, the rocks
gets shattered to great extent and develop
numerous cracks and fractures. This reduces the
cohesiveness and compactness of rocks. In other
words, rocks becomes loose and more fractured
and porous. This naturally adversely affects the
competence of the rocks concerned.
 Tunnels
Geological Considerations for successful Tunneling
• As already stated, the safety success and economy
of tunneling depend on the various geological
conditions prevailing at the site. As usual, the
important geological factors which interfere with this
civil engineering project (i.e. tunneling) are also
lithological, structural and ground water
conditions.
Tunnels
 Landslides
• Land slide refers to the downward sliding of huge
quantities of land masses. Generally, such slides
occurs along steeper slopes of hills or mountains. It
must be sudden or slow in the occurrence. Also, in
magnitude, it may be major or minor. Often, loose
and unconsolidated surfacial material undergoes
sliding. But sometimes, huge blocks of
consolidated rocks may also be involved.
Landslides
 Landslides
• Landslides are generally, of no concern and can
just be ignored if they occur in uninhabited places
and places of no human interest. But if they occur
in places of importance such as highways, railway
lines, valleys, reservoirs, inhabited areas and
agricultural lands, obviously, such instances lead
to blocking of traffic, collapse of buildings, harm
to fertile lands and so apart from heavy loss of life
and property.
Landslides
 Landslides
Effects of Slope
• This is very important factor which provides
favorable conditions for landslides occurrence.
It is both directly and indirectly responsible for
land slips. Steeper slopes are prone to land slips
of loose overburdens due to great gravity
influence, whereas gentle slopes are not prone
to such land slips because, in such cases, loose
overburden encounters greater frictional
resistance; hence any possible slip is stalled.
 Landslides
• It is common observation that any loose material,
if piled up, shall have a natural slope of about 35 0 C
called the angle of repose.
• However, it should be remembered that hard
consolidated and fresh rocks remain stable even
against any slope, unless they are adversely affected
by other lithological and structural factors.
 Landslides
• On hill slopes, water on percolation through the
overlying soil zone may flow down as a film or thin
sheet of water above the underlying hard rocks.
• Along hill slopes, rain water, while percolates down,
carries with it fine clay and silty material which may
form a thin band at the interface of loose overlying
material and underlying hard work.
• Water, being the most powerful solvent, not only
causes decomposition of minerals but also leaches
out the soluble matter of rocks. This reduces the
compaction or cohesion of the rock bodies and make it
a weak mass.