AG3601 Engineering Geology Syllabus - Anna University

AG3601 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

L T P C: 3 0 0 3 | Total Hours: 45 Periods

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course will familiarize the students on the role and importance of geology in civil engineering, apart from learning the techniques of surface and subsurface investigations using geological, geophysical and geomechanical methods.

UNIT I: PHYSICAL GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY

Significance of Geology in Civil Engineering; Internal structure of the Earth; Weathering: types, engineering classification of weathered rocks and relevance to Civil Engineering; Fluvial, Marine, Glacial and Aeolian landforms and their importance in Civil Engineering; Plate tectonics and its relevance to earthquakes; Groundwater: types of aquifers, origin, movement and role of groundwater in Civil Engineering constructions.

UNIT II: MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY

Physical and Chemical properties of common rock forming minerals: Quartz family, Feldspar family, Mica (Muscovite, Biotite & Vermiculite), Pyroxene (Augite & Hypersthene), Amphibole (Hornblende), Calcite, Gypsum and Clay minerals and their significance. Formation of Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary rocks; Description of important rocks: Granite, Syenite, Dolerite, Basalt, Quartzite, Slate, Schist, Gneiss, Marble, Sandstone, Limestone, Shale and Conglomerate. Engineering properties of rocks: field and laboratory tests.

UNIT III: STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND ROCK MECHANICS

Attitudes of beds: Strike and Dip measurements and their relevance to civil engineering; Different types of folds, faults, joints and fractures in rocks and their significance in civil engineering constructions; Geomechanical properties of rocks: Rock Quality Designation (RQD), Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and Geological Strength Index (GSI) and their importance in various civil engineering projects.

UNIT IV: GEOPROSPECTING

Geological mapping techniques; Remote Sensing: Fundamentals and its role in geological mapping; Geophysical methods for subsurface investigations: Electrical, Seismic & Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR); Subsurface logging and their importance in civil engineering projects.

UNIT V: GEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GEOHAZARDS

Geological conditions necessary for designing and construction of important structures: Dams, Reservoirs, Tunnels, Road cuttings and Coastal protection; Landslides: Causes and mitigation; Earthquakes & Tsunamis: Causes and mitigation; Case studies for the above topics.

COURSE OUTCOMES

On completion of this course, the students are expected to be able to:

• CO1: Knowing the internal structure of earth and its relation to earthquakes. Landforms created by various geological agents and their importance in civil engineering.
• CO2: Getting knowledge on various minerals and rocks that can be used as construction materials and road aggregates. In addition, testing the suitability of rocks for foundation purposes.
• CO3: Studying various geological structures and their impact in engineering constructions. Further, learning the geomechanical properties of rocks and their significance in engineering projects.
• CO4: Gaining knowledge on the role of geological mapping, remote sensing and geophysics for surface and subsurface investigations. In addition, students will also gain knowledge on borehole logging techniques and their applications in civil engineering.
• CO5: Applying geological knowledge for designing and constructing major civil engineering structures, and also mitigating various geological hazards such as earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis.

TEXT BOOKS

1. Parbin Singh, "A Textbook of Engineering and General Geology", S. K. Kataria and Sons, 2021.
2. Chenna Kesavulu, N. "Textbook of Engineering Geology", Macmillan India Ltd., 2018.
3. Venkat Reddy, D. "Engineering Geology", Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., 2021.
4. Gokhale, K.V.G.K, "Principles of Engineering Geology", B.S. Publications, Hyderabad, 2019.
5. Varghese, P.C., "Engineering Geology for Civil Engineering", Prentice Hall of India Learning Private Limited, New Delhi, 2012.

REFERENCES

1. Legget, "Geology and Engineering", McGraw Hill Book Company, 1998.
2. Blyth, "Geology for Engineers", ELBS, 1995.
3. Krynine and Judd, "Principles of Engineering Geology and Geotechnics", Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi, 2018.
4. Bell, F.G. "Fundamentals of Engineering Geology", B.S. Publications, Hyderabad, 2011.