Engineering Geology

AG25C01:

Engineering Geology

Course objective:

To impart knowledge on Earth’s structure, minerals, and rocks; geological processes; geophysical investigations; and landslide mitigation.

Physical Geology: Role of geology in civil engineering, branches of geology, Earth structure and composition, weathering and soil formation, geomorphic processes (river, wind, groundwater, sea), plate tectonics, earthquakes, and seismic zones in India.

Activity: Seminar using photographs, satellite images, or field observations to study weathering and landforms.

Mineralogy: Physical properties of minerals; study of major minerals (quartz, feldspar, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, calcite, gypsum, clay minerals); Performance and decay of rock minerals.

Petrology: Rock classification; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; engineering properties and uses of common rocks (granite, basalt/dolerite, sandstone, limestone, laterite, shale, quartzite, marble, gneiss, schist), quality testing of rocks.

Activity: Site visit to nearby quarry/mine

Structural Geology: Geological maps, attitude of beds, structural features (folds, faults, joints) and their engineering significance.

Geophysicalmethods: Seismic and electrical techniques for subsurface investigations.

Activity: Quiz on geophysical methods

Geological Applications: Remote sensing in civil engineering; geological considerations in dams, reservoirs, tunnels, road cuttings, buildings and coastal structures; landslides—causes and mitigation.

Activity: Case study on a dam/tunnel/road cutting/coastal structure/buildings focusing on geological issues and investigation.

Weightage: Continuous Assessment: 40%, End Semester Examinations: 60%

Methodology for Continuous Assessment: Quiz - 10%, Site visit report - 15%; Report preparation from Case study – 10%, Seminar report – 15%, Internal Examinations – 50%

References

1.Varghese, P.C., Engineering Geology for Civil Engineering, Prentice Hall of India Learning Private Limited, New Delhi, 2012.

2.Venkat Reddy. D., Engineering Geology, Vikas Publishing House Private

Limited, 2024.

3.Chenna Kesavulu N., Textbook of Engineering Geology, Macmillan India Limited, India, 2009.

4.Parbin Singh. A., Text book of Engineering and General Geology, Katson

Publishing house, Ludhiana, 2023.