Instructor; Tigst A.

(Engineering Geologist)

• ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

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 Course contents
• Chapter 1; Introduction
• Chapter 2; Rock forming minerals and rocks
• Chapter 3; Geomorphologic processes, and geologic
hazards
• Chapter 4; Engineering properties and classification
of geological material
• Chapter 5; Engineering geological site investigation
and subsurface water/ground water
• Chapter 6; Geological construction materials

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1.1General Introduction
What is Geology?
From Greece,

Geo = Earth,

Logos =science

Geology is the science that deals with the

study of earth as a whole.

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Geology studies:
the origin
the age
the structure, composition and resources of the
planet earth.
Geology also studies:
the evolution,
the modification and
the extinction of surface and subsurface earth
features.

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In addition Geology studies:
natural dynamic processes

Example: Earthquake, Volcanic activities

physiochemical processes

Example: Weathering and Erosion

the agents, forces involved and evolved in the above

processes.

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 How earth is formed?
• Earth is formed by accretions of nebula.
• Nebula; it is the condensations of dust and gasses.
• These gases are hydrogen, helium and other
ionized gases.
• How old is the earth?
• Earth is about 4.6 billion years old.
• What is the dating system to know the earth age?
• Radiometric dating system/carbon dating systems

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The evolution/modifications of the earth

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 Cont..
What is Engineering Geology?
Definition of Engineering Geology by International
Association of Engineering Geologists (IAEG)
IAEG defined Engineering Geology as the science that
applies geologic data, techniques and principles for:
a) Investigation and study of the construction sites/ground
b) Providing solution for engineering and environmental
problems which may arise as the result of the
interaction between ground and civil engineering
practices
c) Prediction, prevention and development of remedial
measures for geological hazards such as earth quack,
volcanic activity, mass movement and etc.
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 Cont..
Engineering geology studies;
The suitability of construction sites, and
Availability and quality of natural construction
material.

Generally,
Engineering Geology has great importance in safe,
economic and stable designs, construction and
rehabilitation of any engineering projects.
Engineering geology is an interdisciplinary profession, in
which the engineering geologist works closely with civil,
mining, hydraulics and others professions.

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 Why engineering geology is significant for engineering
practices?

Because in engineering geology, there are three

premises or fact statements:
 All engineering works are built in, with or on the
ground.
 The ground will always react to the construction of
the engineering works.
 The reaction of the ground (engineering behaviour)
to the engineering work must be accommodated
(within allowable limit) to be stable.

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1.2 Internal structure of the earth
Earth’s internal structure can be thought of into two ways

1. Seismological structure: there is distinct variation in

seismic wave velocities of various parts of the earth.

2. Rheological structure: rheology refers to the

deformation behavior under stress. Earth has also distinct
rheological layers

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Seismological structural classifications :
Earth has a three-fold shell like internal structure namely
Crust, Mantle, and Core based on the seismic wave velocities.
The boundary between each internal shell is demarcated based
on a major change in the nature of the medium at particular
depth observed by abrupt change in the seismic velocities.
Such particular depth where there is a major change in nature
of the medium is called seismic discontinuity.
The two most important seismic discontinuities are: (i) The
Mohorovicic and (ii) Gutenberg discontinuities

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 Continued….

Figure: Internal structure

of the earth
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Continued….
Summary seismological internal structure of the
earth

Continental crust: average 30 km thick

Oceanic crust: average 5 km thick
Upper mantle: located in depth between 660km
Lower mantle - mesosphere, located in depth between 2898
km
Outer: liquid, located in depth between 2898-5121 km
Inner core: solid, located in depth between 5121-6370 km

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Earth’s Rheological Structure

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Continued…

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Summary of rheological internal structure of the

earth

Lithosphere: cool, rigid and brittle, located in depth

between 0-100 km
Asthenosphere - hot, weak and ductile, located in depth
between 100-660 km
Lower mantle/ Mesosphere-Hot, less ductile than the
upper mantel, located in depth between 660km-2898km
Outer core, Very hot, located in depth 2898km-5121km
Inner core, very hot, located in depth 5121km-6400km

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 Earth’s layers
Major Components of the Earth System
Solar Energy Energizes these Components
Atmosphere Gaseous envelope extending from Earth’s surface to an altitude of about 100 km

Hydrosphere Surface waters comprising all oceans, lakes, rivers, and ground water
Biosphere All organic matter related to life near Earth’s surface
Earth’s Internal Heat Energizes these Components
Lithosphere Strong, rocky outer shell of the solid Earth that comprises the crust and
uppermost mantle down to an average depth of about 100 km; forms the
tectonic plates
Asthenosphere Weak, ductile layer of mantle beneath the lithosphere that deforms to
accommodate the horizontal and vertical motions of plate movement
Deep/lower Mantle beneath the asthenosphere, extending from about 400 km deep to the
mantle
core-mantle boundary (about 2900 km deep)
Outer core Liquid shell composed primarily of molten iron, extending from about 2900 km
to 5150km depth
Inner core Inner sphere composed primarily of solid iron, extending from about 5150 km
deep to Earth’s centre (about 6400 km deep) 18
Figure: Earth’s Layers
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1.3 Composition of internal zones of the
earth
Composition of Crust
the upper most shell of earth, which extends to an average depth of 35
km below continents and 5km below oceans.
The crust lower boundary is marked by Mohorovicic discontinuity
Crust has two layers or regions separated by minor discontinuity called
Conrad discontinuity. These are A layer and B- layer.

A-layer is the upper zone, which has granitic composition, found below
continents. The granitic layer of the crust is discontinuous below oceans. It
is made up of mostly light density, light colored silicates of Al and K.
Therefor this layer is referred SIAL in composition.

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Continued….

• B-layer is the lower zone, which has basaltic composition.

• The basaltic layer of crust is continuous forming the base
of the ocean.
• It is also continuous where the granitic layer rests upon it.
• It is made up predominantly of basic minerals, which are
rich in magnesium silicates. They are also referred as
SlMA. These silicates are dark colored and have high
density.

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The composition of mantle
This is the zone, which constitutes the largest internal subdivision of
earth by mass and volume.

It lies below the crust everywhere. This zone continues up to a depth of

2898km.
The most appropriate rocks that make up the mantle would be similar to
peridotite, dunite, and eclogite.
It is generally agreed that at least 90% of the mantle by mass can be
presented in terms of oxides FeO, MgO and SiO2 and 5-10% oxides CaO,
Al2O3 and Na2O.

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The composition of the Core
Core is the most inner subdivision of earth that begins at 2898km
below the surface and extends up to 6370km that is the center of the
earth.
Core has two zones. These are the outer and inner zones.

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 1.4 Applications of Engineering Geology
Engineering Geology is practiced in
 Civil engineering:
 Buildings, industrial and offshore foundations.
 Reservoirs, fills and embankments.
 Slopes.
 Roads, airports and industrial pavements.
 Bridges.
 Retaining structures.
 Tunnels and underground space facilities.
 Mining and resource development.
 Environment: waste containment systems and site remediation.
 Military engineering: recent developments.
 Groundwater resources development and management.
 Provides a systematic knowledge of natural construction materials, their
 Occurrence,
 Composition,
 Durability,
 Strength, deformability and other properties.

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Some specific application of engineering
geology includes

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Cont..

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 Summary on Importance of Engineering Geology in
Civil Engineering
 To make ground investigations and study, for the
selection of suitable site for civil engineering works, for
buildings, roads, dams, tunnels and etc projects
 To identify any potential engineering geological problems
due to poor foundation materials or geological hazards
 To provide solutions for the identified engineering
geological problems
 To assess potential natural construction materials in
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Over view of Engineering Geological application in Civil
Engineering Projects

HIGHWAY TUNNEL

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Continued…

Bridge collapse due to foundation

failure from earthquake, Japan Shanghai Building

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THANK YOU

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