Engineering Geology

Lecture 01 - Weathering
Definition
According to Frederick Lutgens and Edward Tarbuck, weathering is defined as the physical breakdown
(disintegration) and chemical alteration (decomposition) of rock at or near the Earth’s surface.
 Why do rocks ‘weather’?
It is simply a response a earth’s materials to
a constantly changing environment.
Two types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering - the breaking down into
smaller and smaller pieces
Two types of Weathering
Chemical Weathering is the breakdown of rock by
chemical reaction that typically involves the effect
of water and environment.
Mechanical Weathering
Frost Wedging - Water makes its way into the
cracks in rocks, the freezing water then enlarges
the cracks subsequently breaking of the already
present fragments.
Mechanical Weathering
Salt Crystal Growth - This process starts when salty
groundwater (or even seawater) penetrates
crevices and pore spaces in rock.
As water evaporates, salt crystals form. As these
crystals gradually grow larger, they weaken the
rock by pushing apart the surrounding grains or
enlarging tiny cracks.
Mechanical Weathering
Biological Activity - Weathering that is
accomplished by the activities of organisms,
including plants, burrowing animals, and humans.
Plant roots in search of nutrients and water grow
into fractures, and as the roots grow,they wedge
apart the rock.
Chemical Weathering
Dissolution - Some rocks dissolve easily when
exposed to water. Their behavior can is similar to
when sugar is dissolved in water.
Chemical Weathering
Example of Dissolution
Carbonic acid is created when carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere dissolves in raindrops. As
acidic rainwater soaks into the ground,
carbon dioxide in the soil may increase the
acidity of the weathering solution.
This highly reactive substance readily
decomposes most rocks and produces certain
products that are water soluble.
For example, the mineral calcite, CaCO3, which
comprises common building stones marble
and limestone, is easily attacked by a weak
acidic solution
Chemical Weathering
Oxidation - This type of chemical weathering often
happens to iron-rich rocks when constantly
exposed to oxygen.
This phenomenon is the same as iron and steel
materials that will become rust when exposed to
water or oxygen.

Note: Oxidation is a term that refers to any

chemical reaction in which a compound or radical
loses electrons. The element oxygen is not
necessarily present.
 Chemical Weathering
Example of Oxidation
Oxidation commonly occurs when sulfide
minerals are present such as pyrite (FeS 2).

Sulfide minerals are major constituents of

many metallic ores, and pyrite is frequently
associated with coal deposits.
In a moist environment, chemical weathering
of pyrite yields sulfuric acid (H 2SO4) and iron
oxide [FeO(OH)].
In many mining locales, this weathering
process creates a serious environmental
hazard, particularly in humid areas where
abundant rainfall infiltrates spoil banks.
This so-called acid mine drainage eventually
makes its way to streams, killing aquatic
organisms and degrading aquatic habitats.
 Chemical Weathering
Hydrolysis - Some rocks are sensitive to the presence
of hydrogen in water which triggers a chemical
reaction commonly known as hydrolysis.

Hydro = water, lysis = loosening

Not to be confused with dissolution.

The hydrolysis of a mineral could take place in pure

water as some of the water molecules dissociate to
form the very reactive hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl
(OH-) ions.

The hydrogen ion attacks and replaces other positive

ions found in the crystal lattice. With the introduction
of hydrogen ions into the crystal-line structure, the
original orderly arrangement of atoms is destroyed,
and the mineral decomposes.
 Chemical Weathering
Example of Hydrolysis
When rocks dominated by silicate materials
undergo hydrolysis, these materials
decompose to form clay materials.
Weathering Profiles
 Rates of Weathering
Some rocks weather faster than others.
Some factors include:
1. Rock Characteristics
2. Climate
 Rates of Weathering
Rock Characteristics

- This ecompasses all of the physical and chemical traits of rocks, including mineral composition
and solubility.
- Any physical features are taken into account because they can influence the ability of water to
penetrate rock.
 Rates of Weathering
Climate

- Climate factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, are crucial to the rate of rock
weathering.
- Temperature and moisture exert a strong influence on rates of weathering.
- In polar regions, weathering is ineffective because frigid temperatures keep the available
moisture locked up.
 Rates of Weathering
Differential Weathering

- Masses of rock do not weather uniformly

Weathering vs. Erosion
Weathering is the decomposition
of a rock into a soil

Erosion is the removal of topsoil,

which is a serious environmental
problem.

Erosion may also refer to constant

removal of surface soil.
Soils as a product of weathering
Heavily weathered rocks eventually transform into
soil.

Soils are a product of rock weathering. Although

rocks are hard materials, they tend to lose their
strength and deteriorate due to weathering over a
geologic period of time. (i.e. hundreds/millions of
years)
Soils as a product of weathering
Unlike rocks, soil consists of much smaller-sized
material (gravel, sand, silt and/or clay)
Residual vs. Transported Soil
After soil is formed, it can remain in the place of its
origin for so many years (residual soil).

Or they can be transported to new places

(transported soil).

Transported soils are more common, and they are

commonly categorized based on the agent of
transportation.
Transported Soil
Glacial Soils

Formed by transportation and deposition of

glaciers.

This type of soil is typical of high strength and it

generally provides a high bearing capacity for
engineering structures.
Transported Soil
Alluvial soils

Transported by running water and deposited along

water streams.

They are typical soft and loose material saturated

with water.

Many geotechnical problems including

liquefaction and large settlements of engineering
structures occur in alluvial soils.
Transported Soil
Marine Soils

Formed by deposition in the sea or ocean. This

type of soil tends to be rather soft and saturated.

It is mostly fine-grained material such as silt and

clay.

Similar to alluvial material, marine soils can

undergo significant settlements under stresses.
Transported Soil
Aeolian Soils

Transported and deposited by wind. It is typical of

yellow color and made of fine (mostly silt)
particles.

Although this soil can be very hard when dry, it

may quickly collapse when it becomes moist.
Transported Soil
Colluvial Soils

Formed by movement of soil from its original place

due to gravity (for example: landslide mass).

It is a loose deposit, not consolidated and of low

strength.