1.

1 Introduction of geology, different branches of geology,

importance of geology for civil engineering structure and
composition of earth.
• Geology : The science that deals with the study of earth as a
planet as,
• 1. It deals with origin, age, interior or structure and history of the
earth.
• 2. It deals with evolution and modification and extinction of
various surface features.
• 3. It deals with material making up the earth.
OR
• Geology is the science of the solid matter that constitute the
earth. Encompassing such things as rocks, soil,gemstones.
Geology studies the composition,structure , physical properties ,
history and the process that shape earth’s components.
 Learning Outcomes
• Student will able to Identify the rocks and sub soil strata of
earth
Geotechnical Engineering

Unit I
Overview of
Geology and
Geotechnical
Engineering
Unit I-Overview of Geology and Geotechnical
Engineering
1.1 Introduction of geology, different branches of geology,
importance of geology for civil engineering structure and
composition of earth.
1.2 Introduction of petrology, definition of a rock, classification
based on their genesis (mode of origin), formation, classification
and engineering uses of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic
rocks.
1.3 IS definition of soil, Importance of soil in Civil Engineering
as construction material in Civil Engineering Structures, as
foundation bed for structures
1.4 Field application of geotechnical engineering for foundation
design, pavement design, design of earth retaining structures,
design of earthen dam.
 Importance of Geology
• 1. It is used to study different properties of rocks.
• 2. For any heavy construction project study of geology is
required.
• 3. Geology provides a systematic knowledge of construction
materials, their structure and properties.
• 4. The knowledge of erosion, transportation and deposition of
surface water helps in soil conservation, river control, coastal
and harbor works.
• 5. The knowledge about the nature of the rocks is very necessary
in tunneling, constructing roads and in determining the stability
of cuts and slopes.
• 6. The foundation problems of dams, bridges and buildings are
directly related with geology of the area where they are to be
built.
 Branches of Geology
• 1. Physical geology
• 2. Geomorphology
• 3. Mineralogy
• 4. Petrology
• 5. Structural geology
• 6. Stratigraphy
• 7. Palaeontology
• 8. Historical geology
• 9. Applied Geology
• 10. Indian Geology
• 11.Photogeology
• 12. Rock Mechanics
• Physical Geology: It is the study of role played by the physical agents like wind, rain,
running water, ice, volcanism and earthquake.

• Geomorphology: It includes the study of development and disposition of mountains,

plains, plateaus, valley and basin and associated land forms.

• Petrology: Formation of various types of rocks, their mode of occurrence,

composition,texture and structures, geological and geographical distribution on the earth
are all studied under petrology. It is one of the important subdivisions of geology and is
further subdivided into distinct branches: Igneous petrography, Sedimentary petrology and
metamorphic petrology.

• Mineralogy: Mineralogy is that branch of geology, which deals with formation,occurrence,

aggregation, properties, and uses of minerals. Mineralogy sometimes itself divided into
specific sub-branches such as crystallography, optical mineralogy and descriptive
mineralogy and so on.

• Stratigraphy: This branch deals with the study in the geologic history of an area, origin,
composition, proper sequence and correlation of the rock strata of sedimentary rocks.

• Rock Mechanics: As a Branch of Science, it is related with geology in dealing with behavior
of rocks that is subjected to static and dynamic loads.
1.2 Introduction of petrology, definition of a rock, classification
based on their genesis (mode of origin), formation, classification and
engineering uses of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

• Petrology: Formation of various types of rocks, their mode of

occurrence, composition, texture and structures, geological and
geographical distribution on the earth are all studied under
petrology. It is one of the important subdivisions of geology and
is further subdivided into distinct branches: Igneous
petrography, Sedimentary petrology and metamorphic
petrology.

• Rock: A rock is an aggregate of minerals it may be made up of

one mineral i.e. monomineralic or it may consist of different
minerals i.e. polymineralic .
• Rocks on the basis of their origin are
broadly divided into three major classes.
• 1) Igneous rock.
• 2) Sedimentary rock.
• 3) Metamorphic rock.
• Igneous rock: An igneous
rock forms when magma
(Lava) solidifies. About 95
percent of earth’s crust consist
of igneous rock and
metamorphosed igneous rock.

• Uses of igneous Rock:

• 1)These are used for decorative
works for flooring and walls.
• 2) These are also used as
aggregate for concrete.
Classification of Igneous Rock
• Sedimentary Rocks: Rocks exposed
to surface are attacked by
weathering agents. The
disintegrated and decomposed
material is transported into lakes,
oceans by running water, wind,
glaciers. The accumulated material
on compaction and cementation
turns into secondary rocks. These
are called as sedimentary rocks.

• Sedimentary rocks are classifies as

1) Classic
2) Chemical precipitate
3) Biochemical (biogenic)
• Metamorphic Rocks: Rocks which
are deeply buried may subjected to
high temperature and pressure
under the influence of chemically
active fluids. The new environment
brings out a change in mineralogical
and structural characteristics of
parent rocks. These altered rocks are
called metamorphic Rocks.

• classification of the Metamorphic

Rocks based on the basis of
foliation.
• i) Foliated rocks
• ii) Non Foliated rocks
1.3 IS definition of soil, Importance of soil in Civil Engineering as
construction material in Civil Engineering Structures, as foundation
bed for structures

• Definition of soil as per Indian Standard(I.S.)

As per Indian standards 2809-1972: Soil is the sediment

or other unconsolidated accumulation of solid particles
produced by physical and chemical disintegration of
rock.
• Soil formation : soil formation is essentially with weathering process of
rock. Soil formation mainly takes place due to mechanical disintegration
or chemical decomposition of rocks whenever rock get exposed to
atmosphere, It is acted by various weathering agencies and it get
disintegrated or decomposed into small particles & then it is converted into
soil.
Classification of Soil :
A. Residual Soil
1. Red Soil
2. Laterite Soil.
3. Black cotton Soil.
B. Transported Soil
1. Colluvial Soil.
2. Alluvial Soil.
3. Glacial Soil.
4. Lacustarine Soil.
5. Eolian Soil.
• Applications of soil as construction material :
• i. Soil is more suitable in embankment fills and retaining pond
beds after their construction.
• ii. For plinth filling soil can be used as a construction material.
• iii. Pervious and impervious soil can be used in earthen dams.
• iv. Soil is used for brick manufacturing and these bricks are
used for building construction.
• Applications of soil as foundation bed :
• i. Soil is also suitable for foundation but require compactions
as without compaction structure may collapse
• ii. Soil provides the moderate support for all types of
foundations.
• iii. Soil cement mixture can be used for sub grades.
• iv. For Water Bound Macadam roads soil is used as a binder
material.
 1.4 Field application of geotechnical engineering for foundation design, pavement
design, design of earth retaining structures, design of earthen dam.
• Field of applications of Geotechnical Engineering Knowledge-
• 1. Design of foundation- The knowledge of bearing capacity of
soil is useful to design of foundation for proposed structure. The
size , depth and type of foundation depends on type of soil
available.
• 2. Design of pavement- The flexible or rigid pavement can be
designed by knowing C.B.R ,shear strength and permeability of
subgrade soil. Geotechnical Engg. knowledge helps to know these
properties of soil to avoid future defects in pavement .

• 3. Design of Earth retaining structures- The geotech engg

knowledge provides information about earth pressure, slope
stability , density and moisture content of soil. It is useful to
design earth retaining structures like retaining wall and sheet pile.
• 4. Design of water retaining structure- The water retaining
structure like dams, barrages and weirs requires knowledge of index
properties , particle size distribution , flow net, pore pressure of soil
Geotechnical Engg. Knowledge is also applicable for complete
design of percolation tank, contour bunding etc.

• 5. Design of abutment- The abutment for bridges are designed with

the help of knowledge of shear strength, compaction, frictional
coefficient , angle of repose.

• 6. Design of underground structures- Geotechnical Engg.

knowledge in the form of density , compaction , permeability and
consolidation; requires to design underground structures like pipe
lines, tunnel etc
•
Thank You