Physical Geology-II

Engineering consideration:
Superficial deposits and its geotechnical importance: Water
fall and Gorges, River meandering, Alluvium, Glacial deposits,
Laterite (engineering aspects), Desert Landform, Loess,
Solifluction deposits, mudflows, Coastal deposits.
Engineering consideration of Superficial deposits and its geotechnical
importance:
 Superficial deposits refer to geological deposits typically of Quaternary
age (less than 2.6 million years old).
 These geologically recent unconsolidated sediments may include
stream channel and floodplain deposits, beach sands, talus gravels and
glacial drift and moraine.
 All pre-Quaternary deposits are referred to as bedrock.
 There are several types of superficial deposit, including raised beaches
and brickearth. These were formed in periods of climate change during
the ice ages. The raised beaches were generally formed during periods
of higher sea level, when ice sheets were at a minimum, and the sand
and shingle deposits can be seen in many low cliffs.
Superficial deposits cont.

 The brickearth is originally a wind-blown dust deposited under

extremely cold, dry conditions but much has been re-deposited by flood
water and mixed with flints.
 Superficial deposits were originally recorded only onshore and around
the coast where they were laid down by various natural processes such
as action by ice, water and wind.
 Most of these superficial deposits are unconsolidated sediments such as
gravel, sand, silt and clay, and onshore they form relatively thin, often
discontinuous patches. Almost all of these deposits were formerly
classified on the basis of mode of origin with names such as, 'glacial
deposits', 'river terrace deposits' or 'blown sand'; or on their
composition such as 'peat'.
Superficial deposits cont.

 Soils and rocks of Quaternary age are probably the commonest

geological material occurring at, or close to, the Earth's surface. Whilst
Quaternary rocks may be similar to those formed earlier, the soils have
characteristics that distinguish them from older soils; for example, they
are being laid down at the present time and are subject particularly to
modification by active geological/geomorphological processes.
 Because of their surface occurrence, Quaternary soils are of particular
interest to engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers. Not only
do many engineering structures have to be founded on, or in, these
soils, but some of the soils have characteristics, such as low strength
and high compressibility, which make them more difficult to use as a
foundation material.
Superficial deposits cont.

 Yet, despite their importance to civil engineering and construction,

Quaternary deposits frequently do not receive the same attention in
geology and civil engineering courses as older materials. For example,
alluvium frequently is represented with little attempt to identify lateral
variations in lithology or to portray changes with depth, even though it
forms the founding material for part, or all, of many of the world's
cities.
 As Quaternary deposits are young, their geological, and hence
engineering, character is controlled largely by the processes that
brought about their formation and they have been less altered by
processes that act over long periods of time, such as diagenesis.
Superficial deposits cont.
Superficial deposits cont.

Basis of soil classification

Geological Origin
Mineral Content
Grain Size
Plasticity
Strength Characteristics
 Classification Based Upon
Grain Size
Boulder: >300 mm
Cobble: 80-300 mm
G Gravel: 4.75-80 mm
S Sand: 0.075 mm to 4.75 mm
M Silt: < 0.075 mm
C Clay: < 0.075 mm with
plasticity
O Organic depends upon stage of
Matter: decomposition