All the best for the

new year 2017!!!

Civil Engineering Department
 CVNG 1011 - GEOLOGY
Course Description

Time allocation
Total (hrs.)
Lecture hours: 3 hours a week 39

Labs 3 hours a week 39

Field trips: 2 14

Assessment and Final Eaxam

Final Exam: 70 % Lab Assignment: 10% Field Report: 10 % Assignment: 10

%
Name of the Lecturer: Dr. K S Banerjee #127, 1st
floor
To Consult
Visiting Hours: Monday & Tuesday:14.00 to 16.00
hours
Or any day between office hours after sending a email to:
Lectures Course description
1. Geology and civil engineering;
2. Geological history of the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago);
3. Surface geological processes (by weathering, rivers, oceanic waves and wind);

1.4. Minerals and mineral properties;

2.5. Rocks: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and rock cycle;
3.6. Structural geology;
4.7. Geology of dams and reservoirs;
5.8. Principle of Rock Mechanics and engineering properties of rocks;
6.9. Site investigation for engineering constructions;
7.10. Engineering seismology;
8.11. Geological maps and their interpretation;
9.12. Stability of slopes and cuttings;

Laboratory experiments
1. Identification of common rock forming minerals
2. Identification of common rocks of the Earth’s crust
3. Rock mechanics Experiments (Point load test and Schmidt Rebound Hammer)
n 4. Rock porosity and density measurements

Field trips
 Detailed Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of CVNG 1011, students will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of geology in civil engineering

2. Distinguish between the different types of minerals and rocks
3. Explain the importance of surface geologic processes and their effects on civil
construction procedures
4. Explain geologic structures and predict their effects on civil constructions
5. Explore and measure the significance of geology in connection with dams and
reservoirs
6. Identify, measure and explain the relationship between the physical and engineering
properties of rocks
7. Classify and mitigate geological influences on engineering processes & performance
8. Explain and use the site investigation for engineering constructions
9. Explain and execute the basic concepts of quarrying
10. Explain the stability of slopes/cuttings
11. Explain and execute basic concepts in engineering seismology in civil engineering
12. Explain the significance and utilize hydrological concepts
13. Identify and utilize health and safety issues
Engineering Geology: An Introduction
 Aims

To introduce the subject

To list out the branches

To briefly explain the subject matter

To briefly indicate the relevance from the civil engineering point of view
 Content
Introduction to Engineering Geology

Aims of Engineering Geology

Attaining the Aims of Engineering Geology

Mass & Materials

Environmental Factors

Analysis

General Outline of Engineering Geology

Relevance of Geology in Civil Engineering

Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during Civil Engineering

Projects
Examples from Trinidad and Tobago

Landslides similar to this one were reported

across Tobago, Toco, Mayaro, Diego Martin,
and Rio Claro

The badly damaged, crumbling road in La

Puerta, Diego Martin after landslides
accompanied heavy rainfall
 Some important examples of collapse of engineering structures from
history
McDoland dam on Colorado River in Texus
St. Francis Dam in California
Koynanagar Earthquake, India

Baldwin Hills Reservoir, Los Angeles, California

The Cornwall Bridge Failure, Ontario, Canada

 These examples and several others not documented in the world …..

Big Question: Why these calamities happened ?

William Smith (1769-1839) – called “Father of engineering Geology” introduced the term
Engineering Geology (EG)
History behind Engineering Geology
No separate curriculum till 1940s
Imperial College, London introduced EG to PG level for both geology and
Engineering in the year 1957
1967 - International Association of Engineering Geology (IAEG) formed

Why ?
 What is Engineering Geology ?

Geology or Earth Science is the science of the earth (Greek, geo = earth, logos=knowledge)

1785, he presented a paper entitled Theory of

the Earth* to The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Hutton James
Father of Modern Geology (1726-1797)
Earth Science deals with different aspects of earth such as:
Origin History
Age

Several Processes on the Earth and atmosphere

Internal structure
Evolution and modification of various surface features like:

Mountains Rivers Coastlines

Type of sub-surface strata Structure and texture of rocks
Topography and geomorphology
Groundwater and surface water movement Fossils
 Minerals

Quartz (SiO2) Calcite (CaCO3) Spinel (MgAl2O4)

Mica (Alumino-silicate) Ilmenite (FeTiO3) Kyanite (Al2SiO5)

Spinel (MgAl2O4) Mica (Alumino-silicate) Quartz (SiO2)

Rocks
 Ores

Goethite (FeO(OH)) Gold (Au, native metal) Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2)

Magnetite (Fe3O4) Jamesonite (Pb4FeSb6S14) Pyrite (Fe2S)

Pyrolusite (MnO2) Uraninite (UO2) Brucite (Mg(OH)2)

Geophysics and its application
Aims of engineering geology
Attaining the aims
Importance of discontinuity orientation

Importance of location
Engineering behavior of the ground could be expressed by 3 verbal equations:

1.Material Properties + Mass Fabric = Mass Properties

2.Mass Properties + Environment = Engineering Geological Matrix or Situation
(Highly desirable but rarely achievable goal)
3.Engineering Geological Matrix + Changes produced by the engineering work =
Engineering Behavior of the Ground
 Natural Hazards
Recurrence

Flood 
Storm 
Volcanic 
Eruption

Earth
quake 
Mass 
Movements

Man-made
Hazards
Dynamic
Processes
Dynamic
Processes

Time
Time
 Analysis
Process of site investigation

Engineering behavior of the ground or the material

YES / NO
What does Engineering Geology study?

Why Engineering Geology matter?

 General Outline of Engineering Geology

1. Rock description and identification

2. Engineering properties of rocks (e.g., foundation), material for construction
(e.g., aggregates)
3. Rock weathering and soil development;
4. Map reading, both topographic and geologic
5. Structure aspects –bedding, joints, and faults
6. Mass movement and landslides

7. Running water-erosion, flood effects, water impoundment

8. Groundwater control during construction, water supply, pollution,
subsidence,
slope instability
9. Shoreline erosion and protection
10. Earthquakes and earthquake engineering
11. Glacial deposits
12. Arid environments
13. Subsurface geology, condition of stress at depth (for excavation, tunneling
etc.)
 RELEVANCE OF GEOLOGY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

The concern of a civil engineer is the safety, stability, economy, and life of the
project
Any construction needs foundation on geological formations of the Earth

High technical competent construction/project fails on adverse geological

foundation

Safety and stability of the project, competence of foundation rocks, depth of their
occurrence, and availability of building material at the project site are of critical
engineering importance

Economical projects:
Bed-rocks should be at shallow depth
Materials in large quantities must be available near the site

They fall in the realm of geological and geophysical studies

 Civil engineer & engineering geologist work together in major civil
engineering projects in different levels starting from planning stage to
construction and maintenance stage
 Generally a major civil engineering project site will be selected on the basis
of field investigations. The stage in this task starts from reconnaissance stage
to construction and maintenance
 In a few fields the responsibility of civil engineer and geologist are listed
below:
1. Geological Mapping:  Engineering geologist to prepare a regional geological
map of the project site after field studies, aerial and satellite data
interpretation – Geological map of the project site is the first hand document
for civil engineers as well as geologists to take further action for detailed
exploration
2. Exploration: Project geologist to undertake selective exploration techniques for
recognition of the geological feasibility (both surface and sub-surface) and
conformation of the site for civil engineering project using geophysical
exploration techniques – Which depends on the type of the project and nature of
the field conditions – In addition detailed petrological, structural, rock
mechanical properties of in situ rocks also conducted in the field for
determination of strength properties of rocks
3. Project Planning: Most important aspect in civil engineering
– Every civil engineering project requires systematic planning of the project

and execution by appropriate methodologies in each stage based on the type

of
civilcivil
In general, engineering works
engineering (road planning
executive requires differs from report
a feasibility selecting
of site for major
the project –
reservoir)
Engineering geologist will prepare a basic project report on the basis of the
geological/
exploration investigations taking into all field aspects into consideration
While, civil engineer prepares report based on the technical/geological report and
then prepares further project planning schedule taking into civil engineering
parameters, finance resources, environmental and ecological considerations and
social conditions of the region

4. Hydrological/Surface water maps:

Most of the civil engineering projects require in detailed information about the
surface water of the project site to map available surface water conditions of the
region
The reservoir/dam construction projects require hydrographs of the river basins
before commencement of the work  
Flood data, hydro-meteorological data (if available, for the past 100 yrs) to asses the
river basin character of past and plan for reservoir in keeping for (100years
schedule) for life of the project
 The volume of total run-off, drainage characteristics, sedimentary process,
wetherability, erosion potential estimate are required before planning for major
reservoirs and dams
5. Hydrogeological Maps:
Groundwater is one of the major problems in most of the major civil engineering
works, in particularly in tunnel excavation, underground excavations, underground
rail lines, underground mining, deep water foundations, oil and natural gas
extraction structures, dams and reservoir etc which cut across the groundwater
table
Hydrogeological parameters such as porosity, permeability, specific capacity,
specific retention, specific yield, aquifer parameters etc. are to be studied in detail
before execution of sub-surface civil engineering structures
Groundwater flow depends upon local hydro-geological conditions and
structural controls of the region

6. Slope Stability/Landslide/Land Slip:

Landslides are the major sliding activity of rock or soil mass along slopes
Stability of slopes is the important factor for all civil engineering projects or
developmental activities – All slopes have tendency to move
In planning for road network in steep hilly terrains a detailed geological,
geomorphological, structural geological map of the terrain required
 Engineer asses the nature and extent of slide on the basis of strength
parameters of the rock mass, and geological, hydrological, meteorological and
structural etc. conditions of the terrain before adopting suitable landslide
preventive measures
7. Hydraulic structures/dams & reservoirs:
Selection of suitable site for major dams and reservoirs is a major challenge for
an engineering geologist.
Engineering division and geological survey generally undertakes field geological
investigations of major reservoirs/dams
Detailed geological, geotechnical and geophysical surveys will be conducted
for conforming surface and sub-surface geological conditions of that terrain

Detailed reports will be prepared incorporating all determined field data

Civil engineer and geologist will discuss technical details of the site on the
basis of the field data

Every report requires in depth study and interpretation of the field

data
before final selection of the site
 In addition, both civil engineer and geologist will conduct in situ test for
foundation materials and supervise the construction methods and monitor the
structure after completion

9. Environmental Impact Assessment:

Each civil engineering project must get ecological clearance from the
Government to get approval of Department of Environment and Forest,
before commencement of the project
Each project must accompany a detailed environmental assessment report
incorporating environmental and ecological aspects of the region before
construction of the civil engineering structure

In addition, a detailed precautionary or preventive measure for reduction on

the environment and reclamation measures also to be incorporated

Civil, environmental and geotechnical engineer and engineering geologist are

required to study all ecological problems of the region before starting of the
project and also the expected ecological problems after the completion of the
project and suggestive remedial measures to protect the environment of the region
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

MINERALOGY
Deals with minerals
Minerals - the basic units of rocks
Deals with properties, uses, formation, occurrences & association of minerals
Properties of rocks to a large extent depend on the properties of their
constituent minerals
So knowledge of mineralogy is important to a civil engineer
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

PETROLOGY
Deals with study of rocks types, occurrence, structure, texture and
composition of rocks
Composition and textural characteristics contribute to the inherent strength
of rocks
Based on their suitability, rocks are used for different purposes
Hence, study of petrology is important from civil engineering point of view
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Deals with the architecture in the rock
Structures like foliation, bedding, folds, faults, joints etc. are present in
rock formations
Details like types, classification, causes or origin, etc., are dealt in this
branch
Structures modify the inherent physical characters of the rocks
They make the rocks more/less suitable or unsuitable for civil engineering
purposes
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
(STRATIGRAPHY)
Deals with the history (envo., climate, geography and tectonic events ) of
the rocks of an area
It is the study of layered sedimentary rocks
Represent the history during which they formed & layers have a
chronological sequence
It helps to understand the geological history of an area
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

GEOPHYSICS
Study of the physical properties like gravity,
magnetism and density of the E to understand its
interior
Electrical, gravity, magnetic and seismic methods
Large areas can be investigated quickly, easily,
economically and efficiently
Very useful in foundation problems (specially if rocks
not exposed on the surface)
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

HYDROGEOLOGY
(GEOHYDROLOGY)
Deals with occurrence, quality, quantity and movement of groundwater in
an area
Groundwater occurrence and movement has direct bearing on the
porosity, permeability and composition of the subsurface rocks and soils
So it is relevant to the civil engineer
 Branches of Earth Sciences we deal during civil engineering projects

ENGINEERING
GEOLOGY

Deals with the application of geological knowledge in the field of civil

engineering for execution of projects like dams, reservoirs, bridges,
tunnels and other structures that would be safe, stable, economic and
serve their life
This is the branch with which we are concerned most