Geology for Civil Engineers

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In this course subject, it is expected that students should be able to:

Describe and explain the role of geology in the design and construction process of underground openings in rock.
Apply geologic concepts and approaches in civil engineering projects.
Identify and classify rock using basic geologic classification systems.
Use the geologic literature to establish the geotechnical framework needed to properly design and construct heavy civil works rock projects.
Utilize backgrounds in engineering and earth science to provide solutions to engineering problems within the context of the natural world.

what is geology?

Geology is the study of the earth’s physical structure and substances, the history of rocks, the processes that act on them, and the most economic way to use the world’s resources. The study of geology gives us a holistic context for interpreting the earth and its surroundings. It is because the Earth is a complicated entity, where living organisms, oceans, atmosphere, and solid rock interact with one another in a great variety of ways.

IMPORTANCE OF GEOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Geology is highly important in the field of civil engineering such that it deals with the study of the structure of the earth in relation to civil engineering for the execution of safe and cost-effective design for construction projects. Every civil engineering works involve the earth and its features. Thus, geological information is always necessary for every stage of the project be it planning, designing, or construction phase of the project.

MODULE AND UNIT TOPICS:

Here contains the module topics pertinent to the study of geology and its application to civil engineering problems:

MODULE 1. GENERAL GEOLOGY

This module discusses the fundamentals of geology and the Earth's processes.

Unit Topics:

Geology in Civil Engineering
Branches of Geology
Earth Structure and Composition
Elementary knowledge on continental drift and plate tectonics
Earth Processes (Weathering, Work of rivers, wind and sea and their Engineering Importance, Origin and Occurrence of Earthquake)
Prospecting - Groundwater: Importance in Civil Engineering

MODULE 2. MINERAL GEOLOGY

This module discusses the physical properties, process of formation, origin, and occurrence of all minerals.

Unit Topics:

Elementary knowledge on symmetry elements of crystallographic systems
Physical properties of minerals
Study of the following rock-forming minerals (quartz family, feldspar family,augite, hornblende, etc.)
Process of formation of all minerals
Coal and Petroleum – their origin and occurrence in India.

module 3. petrology

This module discusses the classification of rocks and the distinction between Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks.

Unit Topics:

Classification of rocks
Distinction between Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks. Description, occurrence, properties and distribution of following rocks:

a. Igneous rocks - Granite, Syenite, Diorite, Gabbro, Pegmatite, Dolerite and Basalt.

b. Sedimentary rocks - sandstone, Limestone, Shale, Conglomerate and breccia.

c. Metamorphic rocks - Quartzite, Marble, Slate, Gniess and Schist.