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UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER II
SESSION 2016/2017

COURSE NAME : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

COURSE CODE : BFC 21303

PROGRAMME : BFF

EXAMINATION DATE : JUNE 2017

DURATION : 3 HOURS

INSTRUCTION : ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF NINE (9) PAGES

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Q1 (a) Explain FOUR (4) internal layers of the earth based on composition.
(4 marks)

(b) Describe the terms below:

(i) Engineering geology

(ii) Rock Mechanics
(4 marks)

(c) Describe the physical properties of mineral as given below:

(i) Colour
(ii) Streak
(iii) Luster
(iv) Hardness
(v) Reaction with acid
(7 marks)

(d) Igneous rock has been known as a parent material of all types of rock.

(i) Explain the igneous rocks based on two broad categories based on where the
molten rock solidified.
(2 marks)

(ii) Plutons are differentiated based on size, shape and relationship to the intruded
rocks. Illustrate, labelled and explain FOUR (4) types of plutons.
(4 marks)

(iii) Differentiate between gabbro and granite in term of the chemical composition
and magma viscosity.
(4 marks)

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Q2 (a) Illustrate and discuss the whole process of forming sedimentary rock which is
known as diagenesis.
(5 marks)

(b) Explain the process of compaction and cementation in sedimentary rock.

(4 marks)

(c) Illustrate and describe the characteristics of sedimentary rocks as given below:

(i) bedding types

(ii) fossils
(iii) ripple marks
(6 marks)

(d) Metamorphic rock is the third major groups of rock.

(i) Define the term of foliation in metamorphic rock.

(ii) Define the term of lineation in metamorphic rock.
(iii) Define the term of non-foliated in metamorphic rock.
(iv) State TWO (2) examples which are categorized as foliated metamorphic rock.
(v) State TWO (2) examples which are categorized as non-foliated metamorphic
rock.
(5 marks)

(e) Discuss the characteristics of the metamorphic rock mass that influences the civil
engineering project.
(5 marks)

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Q3 (a) Explain the classification of physical and chemical weathering processes.

(4 marks)

(b) Over the past million years of earth history, the crust of the earth has been mobile
due to geological process.

(i) Describe THREE (3) stresses in the rock mass deformation.

(3 marks)
(ii) List FOUR (4) types of geological structures due to the rock deformation.
(2 marks)

(c) Discuss the geophysical method with particular reference to resistivity method
related to its concepts, applications, advantages and disadvantages.
(4 marks)

(d) The standard length of the rock core was 1.5 m for each sequence of the rock
drilling work. Calculate the Rock Quality Designation (RQD), Total Core Recovery
(TCR) and Solid Core Recovery (SCR) for the rock sample in Figure Q3(d).
(6 marks)

(e) Describe the rock parameters obtained from the following tests:

(i) Point load test

(ii) Schmidt’ hammer test
(iii) Seismic velocity test (PUNDIT test)
(iv) Slake durability test
(v) Brazilian test
(vi) Triaxial compression Test
(6 marks)

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Q4 A road cutting 100 m deep is driven through a sequence of granitic rock. The rock slope face
cutting in the direction of 1200 and dip angle 640. The geologist has mapped the cutting area
and produced three joint sets and presented in great circles as shown in Figure Q4(a). Table
Q4(a) shows the data of slope geometry and rock parameters.

(a) Determine the dip direction and dip angle of joint set 1, 2 and 3 as shown in Figure
Q4(a).
(6 marks)

(b) Analyse the all possibilities of slope failure modes with its criterion.
(4 marks)
(c) Calculate the factor of safety for wedge failure mode using the formula in Figure Q4(c)
when the tension crack is completely filled with water.
(8 marks)

(d) Via maintaining the slope angle, interpret a suitable new rock slope dip direction in
order to avoid any potential of rock slope failure mode using the equatorial equal-area
stereo-net in Figure Q4(b).
(7 marks)

-END OF QUESTIONS-

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : II/ 2016/2017 PROGRAMME : 2 BFF
COURSE : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY COURSE CODE : BFC 21303

Figure Q3(d): Rock core obtained from boring exploration

Table Q4(a): Parameter of granitic rock slope

Upper slope dip direction = 120º

Upper slope dip angle = 0°
Height of slope / wedge = 100 m
Unit weight of the rock = 25 kN/m3
Unit weight of water = 9.81 kN/m3
The cohesion of all discontinuities = 100 kPa
Friction angle for all discontinuities = 30°

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : II/ 2016/2017 PROGRAMME : 2 BFF
COURSE : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY COURSE CODE : BFC 21303

Figure Q4(a): Great circle plots for joint

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CONFIDENTIAL BFC 21303

FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : II/ 2016/2017 PROGRAMME : 2 BFF
COURSE : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY COURSE CODE : BFC 21303

Figure Q4(b): Equatorial equal-area stereo-net marked in 2° intervals

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : II/ 2016/2017 PROGRAMME : 2 BFF
COURSE : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY COURSE CODE : BFC 21303

Figure Q4(c): Rock slope formula (Wedge failure)

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