I YEAR B.TECH C.E.

II-SEM

ENGINEERING
GEOLOGY

Unit-1

INTRODUCTION
Geology (Greek)
Geo = Earth
Logos = Science
Geology is a branch of science dealing with
the study of the Earth. It is also known as
earth science.

The study of the earth comprises of the whole

earth, its origin, structure, composition and
history and the nature of the processes.
 Solar nebula accreted to form the solar system

Earth accreted (probably

from solar nebula)
about 4,600 million
(i.e. 4.6 billion) years
ago due to
electromagnetic and
gravitational forces –
self organization
• In the very
beginning of earth's
history, this planet
was a giant, red hot,
boiling sea of
molten rock - a
magma ocean.
• Our Earth is a cosmic
body. It is one of the
nine members of the
Solar System (of Milky
Way Galaxy) which Sun
is the central star.

• Earth is the third

closest planet to the
sun at a distance of
about 150 million
kilometers (93.2 million
miles).
• Geologic record begins 4,600 million (4.6 billion) years
ago
• The Earth is commonly described as a spheroid

• Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to

harbor life

• It has equatorial diameter of 12,757 km and polar

diameter of 12,713 km
• The total mass of the Earth is estimated at 5.975X1027
gms

• The mean density as 5.5 gm/cm3

The Earth is the densest major body in the solar system.

Structure of the Earth
 The Crust
• Layer of rock that forms Earth’s outer skin
including the solid earth and oceans.

• Composition: oxygen, silicon, aluminum,

calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, and
magnesium

• Relative Temperature: Vary from air

temperature to 870 oC
• Density: 2.5 to 3.0 times denser than water
The Mantle
• Layer of hot rock between the crust
and core.
• Composition: silicon, oxygen, iron,
and magnesium
o
• Relative Temperature: 870 C to
2,200oC
• Density: 3.3 to 5.5 times denser than
water.
The Core

• Center of the Earth; under extreme

pressure
• Composition: iron and nickel
o
• Relative Temperature: 2,000 C to
5,000oC
• Density: 10 to 13 times denser than
water
Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Lithosphere
• The vast subject of geology has been subdivided into
the following branches for the sake of systematic study

• GEOLOGY
Main branches Allied branches

Physical geology Engineering geology

Mineralogy Mining geology
Petrology Geophysics
Structural geology Geochemistry
Stratigraphy Hydrogeology
Palaeontology
Economic geology
 Physical Geology = It deals with “various process of
physical agents” (wind, water, glaciers)

Mineralogy = It deals with “ the study of minerals”

Petrology = It deals with “The study of rocks”

Structural Geology = It deals with “study of structures found

in rocks”

Stratigraphy = It deals with “study of stratified rocks

and their correlation”

Paleontology = It deals with “the study of fossils”

Economic Geology = It deals with “the study of minerals,

rocks and materials of economic
importance like coal and petroleum”
 Mining Geology = It deals with the study of application
of geological knowledge in the field of
mining

Geophysics = It deals with the study of upper layers

of the earth’s crust in order to locate oil,
water, estimation of ore deposits etc.,of
underground

Geochemistry = It deals with the occurrence,

distribution, abundance, mobility etc., of
different elements in the earth’s crust.
Hydrogeology = It deals with occurrence, movement and
nature i.e., quality and quantity of
ground water in an area.
• Engineering Geology: This deals with the
application of geological knowledge in the field
of civil engineering for execution of safe, stable
and economic constructions like dams,
reservoirs, bridges and tunnels.
(or)

• Engineering geology is the application of the

geologic principles to engineering practice for
the purpose of assuring that the geologic
factors affecting the location, design,
construction, operation and maintenance of
engineering works are properly addressed.
 Scope of Geology in Engineering

The basic objects are of two fold

❖It enables a civil engineer to understand Engg.
Implications of certain conditions related to the area of
construction, which are essentially geological in nature.

❖It enables a geologist to understand the Nature of

geological information which is absolutely essential for a
safe design & construction of civil engineering projects.
 I) Geology in construction jobs
In all heavy construction jobs like
• Dams & reservoirs
• Towers
• Tanks
• Highways & bridges
• Traffic & hydro power tunnels
• Embankments & retaining structures
• Lining of canals
• Laying of drainage pipes etc
• We need to have a clear idea about the site,
Planning, Design, Construction.
 1) Planning
Topographic Maps
•Relief features - essential to understand the merits &
demerits
•The nature of slopes, depth of valley,
•Rate of change to elevation in various directions can be
easily computed.
Hydrological maps
•Surface & subsurface water channel, its occurrence &
depth.
•Geological Maps
•Rock types Structural disposition of rocks
•Materials of construction
•Exploratory operations (test holes etc.)
•Subsurface investigation
ii)
Design
– The existence of hard bedrocks &
their depth from & inclination with
the surface.
– The Mechanical properties of the rock
especially compressive, shear &
transverse strength, modulus of
elasticity, permeability & resistance
to decay.
iii)
Construction
– To check the quality control of the
construction materials like sands,
gravels, gushed rocks & soil.
– all are best understood in Geological
perspective.
II) Geology in water Resources
Development

• Water is a basic need for our life

• Water cycle is the term given to the
sum total of water cycle:
– evaporation of water from the hydrosphere +
its precipitation in the form of rain & snow +
flow back into the lakes, sea & oceans.

• It depends on Surface & subsurface

water.
 III. Geology in Town & Regional
planning

• A town planner is concerned with

landscape & its utilization
– i.e. maximum benefits with minimum of
disturbance to Natural environment.
• A regional planner is responsible for
adopting an integrated approach in all
such cases of allocation of land for
development projects.
St. Francis Dam,
California
Some more dam failures:

•Lafayette dam – California

•Austin dam- Texas

•Halesbar dam- Tennessee river

•Camarassa dam-Spain
•Dokan dam-Iraq
•Chickmauga dam-USA
•Vall Gallina dam-Italy