1

Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Geology is the science of earth. It is an applied science, which deals with
hills and mountains, valleys and Georges, and along lonely forests and
rugged terrain. In geological fieldwork examination of the outcrops of
rock, bodies upon the earth surface are carefully studied in details and
reasonable inference on the geological structure and history of the region
are drawn. With good approach to the geology and reasonable common
sense of logical interpretation, one can form a neat picture of the
geology of the region.
The two days from 8th of Shrawan to 9th of Shrawan we were taken to
Bhudhigandaki for geological study.
First day, we learn the rock mass rating system, impact rock weathering,
slope stability. On the second day, we learned the preparation of
engineering geological map and the study of landslide. This performance
was very effective for knowledge and experience. However two days
trip was not sufficient to fulfill the thirst of us.

1.2 Objectives
 To study the rock mass rating and its application for tunnel design
 Study of slope stability analysis
 Study of Impact Rock Weathering classification
 Preparation of Engineering Geological Map
 Study of Landslide

1.3 Instrument Used

i. Brunton Compass
ii. Geological Hammer

1
Burnton compass:
It consists of sprit level and can measure bearing and inclination with
relatively less error

Handling of geological compass:

A geological compass is used to measure the attitudes of the
geological features. The compass was mainly used for measuring the
bearing of object with respect to north and to measure inclination .The
main operation of geological compass consists of opening the compass
carefully, leveling the spirit level and placing the compass on the planer
feature for measurement.

Hammer

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 2
Mass Movement
2.1 Introduction to the Mass movement
Mass movement is one of the most challenging slope process related to the
potential energy developed due to the gravitational stress which may or may not
influenced by the pore water pressure. Slope failure, landslides and debris flows
are the major mass movement’s phenomena. As the mechanism of the mass
movement differ the necessary treatments and stabilization measures are also
different from its complex type of mass movements are frequent in the area, which
makes the treatment more challenging.

2.2 Type of Mass Movement

i. Landslide
ii. Slope failure
iii. Debris flow

Landslide

Large dimensional, slow to sometimes rapid but continuous movement of large

weathered rock or soils on a clear slide surface are called the landslides. Sliding
surface usually contains clay and the activities are influenced by the ground water.
Treatments of the landslides are expensive and site specific. Effective treatments of
the landslides demand the geo-technical investigation of the unstable area. Stability
measures in the landslides are big challenges for many of the civil engineering
structures.

Slope failure

Relatively small dimensional movements of weathered rock or soil layer in the

slopes are called as slope failures which could lead to more stable configuration
may redistribute the rock material in less steep slopes and it relief the stress by
reducing the high concentration of stress usually present at the valley bottoms. At
the same time slope failure weaken the rock mass providing the already sheared
surfaces at the residual strength, the reactivation of instabilities as once failed rock
mass has not always reached complete stabilization. The slope failure loosen the
rock mass and open the stress relief joints or fractures. Cleaning of the debris is
3
considered as the best solution in case of the slope failure along the road but it
could sometimes lead to disaster landslides. Smaller magnitude slope failure was
generated in the Krishna Bheer in the monsoon of 2000, which leads to disaster
landslides during of the same year.
Flow/spread/creep

When the shear strength of the big slope material considerably reduced the rapid
movements of the solid earth materials including large volume of water can take
place. If the material is complex debris such phenomena are called debris flow. If
the flow is fine the phenomena is called odd flow. Sometimes the viscous materials
could spread down slope. The flow but continuous movement of the slope
containing the thicker soil, largely without any distinct slip surface is recognized as
creeping. Stability measures against flow spread and creeping are complex and
demands considerably high costs.

For individual location of individual exposure, the traditional basic classification of

the instability mechanism of the rock is also applicable.

2.3 Observation of Landslide in the field

In the field the landslide was observed at a distance of 43Km from Naubise. The
date of survey was 2070/04/10

Geometry

Width of Slope: 60m

Depth(approx): 14m
Length of Slope: 114m
Slope angle Range: 60-74 degree
Avg. angle of slope: 67 degree

Geological Characteristics

Categorization of landslide: Colluvium

Characteristics of Material: Angular
Soil Type:
According to USC, soil classification: WG gravel
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Rock Type: Quartzite
Size : Big
Tone: Gray
Weathering Condition: Moderate-M

Hydrological Information
Ground Water Condition: Dry
Number of Gullies: No

Surface water run off: No

Vegetation/Land use
Vegetation type: Shrubs
Tree inclining toward: Scarp
Land used: forest
Vegetation Density: Sparse

Damage to the facilities, structures

Cultivated land: No
Road Surface: Yes
Resistance: No
Water Channel No

Triggering factors: Slope failure, discontinuity

Man made cause: Stone quarry, mining

5
 Picture of Landslide observed at 43Km from Naubise on Prithvi Highway

2.4 Mitigation Measures of Landslide

It is known that the prevention is better than cure . So, in order to check the
landslide we can follow the following methods as per condition of the land where
the landslide is suspected to take place:
i. Concrete machinery wall
ii. Gabion wall.
iii. Planting grasses
iv. Proper drainage system e.g. Cascade
v. Making balanced natural system i.e. removing disturbance in the area
e.g. vehicle load etc. as possible.
vi. Less quarrying of stone

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 3
Rock Mass and Rock Mass Classification
3.1 Introduction

Rock is a naturally forming, hard and compact solid aggregate or assemblage of

mineral forming crust of Earth. Rock mass is defined as intract rock and the
discontinuities.Where intract rock implies the rock without any fracture and the
discontinuities are the plane of weakness which make the rock incompetent.

Environment on the different place of earth is not same and so the rock mass on the
earth is not of single type. Because of Environmental and mode of formation, we
can find the different type of rock on the Earth with various properties.

3.2 Type of Rocks

Rocks are formed due to various natural processes and they are classified on the
basis of their mode of formation.

As per mode of Formation, rocks are of three types:

a. Igneous Rock
b. Sedimentary Rock
c. Metamorphic Rock

Igneous Rocks are formed due to the process of Magmatism which is the process
of cooling and solidification of molten mobile material ‘Magma’ by the
crystallization. In this process magma lose heat and gets solidified. Igneous are the
most primitive type of rock .

The sedimentary rocks, as the name indicates, are those rocks which are derived
from the consolidation of sediments of the preexisting rocks (igneous, sedimentary
or metamorphic) under the influence of mechanical, chemical or organic activities
of the denuding agents (i.e. wind, running water, glacier etc.)
The products of wear and tear of the rocks due to natural agencies like blowing
wind, running water, percolating underground water etc when subjected, under
favorable conditions to sedimentation and subsequent compaction results in the
formation of rock masses due to pressure and temperature conditions which are
known as the sedimentary rocks. Well known examples are sandstone, lime stone,
shale etc.
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The rocks formed from the pre-existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary or
metamorphic) by the processes of metamorphism (Greek, Meta=Change,
morphe=form). It is a process by which existing rocks are modified under the
influence of heat pressure or both
The ultimate product of metamorphism of already existing igneous, sedimentary or
even metamorphic rocks incorporating temperature, pressure, stress, chemically
active substances are called metamorphic rocks, e.g. Slate, Marble, Schist, Gneiss,
Phyllite.

Sedimentary
Sediment
Rock

Metamorphic
Igneous rock
Rock

Magma

Fig. Simple Rock Cycle

3.3 Weathering

Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks by mechanical and chemical

processes into smaller pieces. Mechanical weathering may be caused by the
expansion and contraction of rocks from the continuous gain and loss of heat,
which results in ultimate disintegration. Frequently, water seeps into the pores and
existing cracks in rocks. As the temperature drops, the water freezes and expands.
The pressure exerted by ice because of volume expansion is strong enough to break
down even large rocks. Other physical agents that help disintegrate rocks are
glacier ice, wind, the running water of streams and rivers, and ocean waves.
In mechanical weathering the rock gets weathered by physical phenomenon such
as by friction, heat etc and the composition of rock remains same but in case of

8
chemical weathering due to the chemical reaction the composition of rock gets
changed. For example;
orthoclase to form clay minerals, silica, and soluble potassium carbonate
follows:

Most of the potassium ions released are carried away in solution as potassium
carbonate is taken up by plants. The chemical weathering of plagioclase feldspars
is similar to that of orthoclase in that it produces clay minerals, silica, and different
soluble salts. Ferromagnesian minerals also form the decomposition products of
clay minerals, silica, and soluble salts. Additionally, the iron and magnesium in
ferromagnesian minerals result in other products such as hematite and limonite.
Quartz is highly resistant to weathering and only slightly soluble in water.
The weathering process is not limited to igneous rocks. As shown in the rock cycle
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks also weather in a similar manner.

3.4 Intact Rock Strength

In order to determine the strength of the intact rock in field generally Schmidt
Hammer Rebound Test is followed. On the basis of the height of rebound the
strength of rock mass is designated. The accuracy of the work in this method
depends upon the experience of the engineer or geologist.

There are other various methods to find the strength in laboratory of the Intact
Rock, few of them has been given below:

1. Unaxial tensile Test: This method can further be divided into types
a. Direct tensile strength test
b. Point load Test
c. Brazilian test
2. Unaxial Compressive Test
3. Triaxial compressive test

Tensile strength describes the capacity of the rock to resist tensile stress.There are
direct and indirect methods for measurement of tensile strength (ISRM 1985). The
9
indirect methods have been dominant in determining tensile strength of rocks in
the past due to their ease in sample preparation and testing procedure. The indirect
methods include point load test and Brazilian test.

3.5 Discontinuties in the rock and their properties

The main discontinuities in the Rock are

a. Joints : It is a fracture, which is relatively planer along which there has
been little or no obvious displacement parallel to the plane. The joints were
formed almost parallel, which are called a set of joints.

b. Folds : Folds are ductile deformation on the structure. They are the strata
permanently deformed either by buckling or fracturing, if subjected to stress
in a rock mass, and they cannot resist. Type of deformation depends upon
mechanical properties of rocks and the nature of stress when applied slowly
deep on the earth.

c. Fault :Fault is a rupture plane along which the opposite walls are moved
each other. This movement may vary from a few cm to many km depending
upon the magnitude and nature of the stress and the resistance offered by the
rocks. The faults are also caused due to earthquake but it is still a
complicated geological problem, which awaits satisfactory solution.
Whether the earthquakes are caused due to faulting or faults are caused due
to earthquake. The fault is occurred due to the plate movements, which
creates the shear stress.The metamorphic form of gauge and breccia is called
mylonite.

d. Unconformity : An unconformity is a buried erosion surface separating two

rock masses or strata of different ages, indicating that sediment deposition
was not continuous. In general, the older layer was exposed to erosion for an
interval of time before deposition of the younger, but the term is used to
describe any break in the sedimentary geologic record.

e. Disconformity: An unconformity between parallel layers of sedimentary

rocks which represents a period of erosion or non-deposition. A
paraconformity is a type of disconformity in which the separation is a simple
bedding plane; i.e., there is no obvious buried erosional surface.(AGI, 366)
A blended unconformity is a type of disconformity or nonconformity with
no distinct separation plane or contact, sometimes consisting of soils,
paleosols, or beds of pebbles derived from the underlying rock.

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 f. Non-conformity :A nonconformity exists between sedimentary rocks and
metamorphic or igneous rocks when the sedimentary rock lies above and
was deposited on the pre-existing and eroded metamorphic or igneous rock.

3.6 Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

Bieniawski (1976) published the details of a rock mass classification called
Geomechanics classification or the Rock mass rating (RMR) system. Over the
year this system has been successively refined as more case have been examined
and reader should have aware that Bieniawski has made significant ch anges in
the ratings assigned to the different parameters .
In order to rate a rock mass following six parameters are used:
i. Unaxial Compressive strength of the material
ii. Rock Quality Designation ( RQD)
iii. Spacing of the discontinuities
iv. Ground water conditions
v. Orientation of discontinuities
In applying this classification system, the rock mass is divided into number of
structural regions and is region is classified separately. The boundaries of the
structural regions usually coincide with a major structural feature such a fault or
with a change in rock type .

The Rock Mass Rating System is presented in following table

Rock Mass Rating System( After Bieniawski 1989)

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Some conditions are mutually exclusive . For example, if infilling is present, the roughness of the surface will be overshadowed by the influence of the gouge. In such cases use A.4 directly.
** Modified after Wickham et al (1972).

3.7 Rock mass classification systems are used for various engineering design and
stability analysis. These are based on empirical relations between rock mass
parameters and engineering applications, such as tunnels, slopes, foundations, and
excavation. The first rock mass classification system in geotechnical engineering
was proposed in the 1940s for tunnels with steel set support.

Objectives

The objectives of rock mass classifications are to:

1. Identify the most significant parameters influencing the behaviour of a rock

mass.
2. Divide a particular rock mass formulation into groups of similar behaviour
rock mass classes of varying quality.
3. Provide a basis of understanding the characteristics of each rock mass class

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 4. Relate the experience of rock conditions at one site to the conditions and
experience encountered at others
5. Derive quantitative data and guidelines for engineering design
6. Provide common basis for communication between engineers and geologists

The following table gives the guideline for excavation and support of 10m span
rock tunnel in accordance with the RMR system:

i)Rock Mass Rating Observation Table

a) Classification parameters and their rating RQD

1. Strength =7
2. Drill core quality (RQD) (90-100)% =20
3. Spacing of discontinuities (7) =8
4. Condition of discontinuities
a. Separation (1) =1
b. Discontinuity length (2.8) =4
c. Roughness (Rough) =5
d. Infilling (None) =6
e. Weathering (slightly weather) =5
f. Ground water (Completely dry) =15

Total = 71

So, the tested rock fall in the good class.

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 4
Stability Analysis of Rock Slope
4.1 Introduction

Slope stability analysis is performed to assess the safe design of a human-made or

natural slopes (e.g. embankments, road cuts, open-pit mining, excavations, landfills
etc.) and the equilibrium conditions. The term slope stability may be defined as the
resistance of inclined surface to failure by sliding or collapsing. The main
objectives of slope stability analysis are finding endangered areas, investigation of
potential failure mechanisms, determination of the slope sensitivity to different
triggering mechanisms, designing of optimal slopes with regard to safety,
reliability and economics, designing possible remedial measures, e.g. barriers and
stabilization.

Successful design of the slope requires geological information and site

characteristics, e.g. properties of soil/rock mass, slope geometry, groundwater
conditions, alternation of materials by faulting, joint or discontinuity systems,
movements and tension in joints, earthquake activity etc. Choice of correct
analysis technique depends on both site conditions and the potential mode of
failure, with careful consideration being given to the varying strengths, weaknesses
and limitations inherent in each methodology.

Before the computer age stability analysis was performed graphically or using
hand-held calculator. Today engineers have a lot of possibilities to use analysis
software, ranges from simple limit equilibrium techniques through computational
limit analysis approaches (e.g. Finite element limit analysis, Discontinuity layout
optimization) to complex and sophisticated numerical solutions (finite-/distinct-
element codes). The engineer must fully understand limitations of each technique.
For example, limit equilibrium is most commonly used and simple solution
method, but it can become inadequate if the slope fails by complex mechanisms
(e.g. internal deformation and brittle fracture, progressive creep, liquefaction of
weaker soil layers, etc.). In these cases more sophisticated numerical modeling
techniques should be utilized. In addition, the use of the risk assessment concept is
increasing today. Risk assessment is concerned with both the consequence of slope
failure and the probability of failure (both require an understanding of the failure
mechanism).

4.2 Failure Mechanics in rock slope and types of rock failure

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Due to unbalancing in the shear stress in the rock mass, it may come in motion or
its stability may be disturbed and the rock may be dynamic. So, it fails but it must
be checked.

The failure of the Rock may take place by any of the following mechanism:

1. Plane Failure
2. Toppling Failure
3. Wedge Failure

Plane Failure

The condition of plane failure are:

i. The joint plane and the hill slope should dip in same direction.
ii. The dipping of the joint should be less than the dip the hill slope.
iii.
The strike difference should be between 20°.
iv.
The dip of the joint should be more than internal friction angle.

fig. plane failure

Toppling Failure

The condition of the Toppling Failure are:

i. The joint plane and the hill slope should dip in the opposite direction.
ii. The strike difference should be between 20°.
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 iii. The dip of the joint should be more than internal friction angle.

Fig. Toppling failure

Wedge Failure

The condition of the Wedge Failure are:

i. The wedge and the hill slope should dip in the same direction.
ii. The dipping of the wedge should be less than the dip of the hill slope.
iii. The strike difference should be between 20°.
iv. The dip of the wedge should be more than internal friction angle.

Fig.Wedge failure

4.3 Slope Stability Analysis

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In order to predict the stability of any rock we generally use Schmidt Net

Fig. Schmidt Net

4.4 Observed data for slope stability

Joint Dip Direction Dip Amount

1 N35°E 64°10’
2 S16°W 79°40’
3 N44°E 32°

Above data are represented in Schmidt Net

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 5
Tunnel and Underground Excavation
5.1 Introduction

horizontal underground passageway produced by excavation or occasionally by

nature's action in dissolving a soluble rock, such as limestone is a tunnel. A vertical
opening is usually called a shaft. Tunnels have many uses: for mining ores, for
transportation—including road vehicles, trains, subways, and canals—and for
conducting water and sewage . Underground chambers, often associated with a
complex of connecting tunnels and shafts, increasingly are being used for such
things as underground hydroelectric-power plants, ore-processing plants, pumping
stations, vehicle parking, storage of oil and water, water-treatment plants,
warehouses, and light manufacturing; also command centres and other special
military needs.

True tunnels and chambers are excavated from the inside—with the overlying
material left in place—and then lined as necessary to support the adjacent ground.
A hillside tunnel entrance is called a portal; tunnels may also be started from the
bottom of a vertical shaft or from the end of a horizontal tunnel driven principally
for construction access and called an adit. So-called cut-and-cover tunnels (more
correctly called conduits) are built by excavating from the surface, constructing the
structure, and then covering with backfill. Tunnels underwater are now commonly
built by the use of an immersed tube: long, prefabricated tube sections are floated
to the site, sunk in a prepared trench, and covered with backfill. For all
underground work, difficulties increase with the size of the opening and are greatly
dependent upon weaknesses of the natural ground and the extent of the water
inflow.

A typical picture of a tunnel under construction is given below:

18
 Pic. Test tunnel for Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project

5.2 Site Selection

In order to select a appropriate site for any Tunneling Project, we go through the
following investigation:

a. Surface investigation
b. Sub-Surface Investigation

Surface investigation is the study and the analysis of the surface of Earth that is
visible without any excavation.

For the surface investigation following methodology can be adopted

i. Arial Photo
ii. Topographical Map
iii. Geological Map
iv. Engineering Geological Map

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In sub-surface investigation , the methodologies adopted are

i. Geophysical Method
 Gravity Method
 Magnetic Method
 Electrical Method
 Seismic Method
ii. Drilling
 Cable tool Method
 Rotary Drilling Method
 Test pit
 Trench
 Auger Boring

For the site selection for a tunnel we take care of following points:

1. Topography, which gives the general information about the construction site.
2. Lithology, which give the information about composition, texture, structure
and origin of rock and sediment
3. Ground type, which is further divided into
I. Consolidated Ground
II. Massive hard Ground
III. Unconsolidated Ground
4. Geological Structure ( fault, joint and shear zone)
5. Weathering ( depth and degree of weathering)
6. Ground water condition

Requirement for the site selection for tunnel/Dam

1. Lithology
a. Hard rock is most favourable.
b. Soft rock gives the problem of squeezing and swelling

2. Geological Structures
a. Horizontal bedding is preferred
b. Tunnel is driven parallel to the strike creates problem.
c. Syncline fold is better for the stability of tunnel
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 d. There should not exist the fault zone

5.3 Geological consideration of successful Tunneling

There are several particular geological features, however, which are commonly encountering
the tunneling operations. These can gives rise to difficulties especially in impending progress
and\or increasing the hazardous nature of the operation. Changes in geological conditions which
decreased competence of the rocks surrounding the excavation often results in increasing
tunneling costs in addition to affecting operational and safety aspects. Consequently, in depth
appreciation of the geological conditions plays an important role for design and planning,
through to construction and eventual commissioning and operation of the tunnel. The first of the
obvious geological conditions that are directly related to the tunnel are:

A. The type of the rock and their strength and deformation behavior
B. Geological discontinuities and associated strength and deformation behavior
C. Groundwater conditions
D. Squeezing and swelling rock conditions
E. Running Ground
F. Gases in rocks
G. Rock temperature
H. Topographic conditions
F. Over break

Importance of Geological Structures: The study of geologic structures has been

of prime importance in economic geology, both petroleum geology and mining
geology. Folded and faulted rock strata commonly form traps for the accumulation
and concentration of fluids such as petroleum and natural gas. Faulted and
structurally complex areas are notable as permeable zones for hydrothermal fluids
and the resulting concentration areas for base and precious metal ore deposits.
Veins of minerals containing various metals commonly occupy faults and fractures
in structurally complex areas. These structurally fractured and faulted zones often
occur in association with intrusive igneous rocks. They often also occur around
geologic reef complexes and collapse features such as ancient sinkholes. Deposits
of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, and other metals, are commonly located in
structurally complex areas.

Structural geology is a critical part of engineering geology, which is concerned

with the physical and mechanical properties of natural rocks. Structural fabrics and
defects such as faults, folds, foliations and joints are internal weaknesses of rocks
21
which may affect the stability of human engineered structures such as dams, road
cuts, open pit mines and underground mines or road tunnels.

Geotechnical risk, including earthquake risk can only be investigated by inspecting

a combination of structural geology and geomorphology. In addition areas of karst
landscapes which are underlain by underground caverns and potential sinkholes or
collapse features are of importance for these scientists. In addition, areas of steep
slopes are potential collapse or landslide hazards.

Environmental geologists and hydro geologists or hydrologists need to understand

structural geology because structures are sites of groundwater flow and
penetration, which may affect, for instance, seepage of toxic substances from waste
dumps, or seepage of salty water into aquifers.

Plate tectonics is a theory developed during the 1960s which describes the
movement of continents by way of the separation and collision of crustal plates. It
is in a sense structural geology on a planet scale, and is used throughout structural
geology as a framework to analyze and understand global, regional, and local scale
features.

Ground Water : Study of ground water and its movement is one of the very
important point for construction of the Tunnel.

There are different factors that govern the movement of ground water, few of them
are listed below:

a. Porosity
b. Permeability
c. Hydraulic Gradient
d. Hydraulic Conductivity

The water bearing layer of rock or sediment capable of yielding usable quantity of
water , composed of unconsolidated materials such as sand and gravel, or
consolidated rocks such as sandstone or fractured lime stone is called Aquifer.

There are two type of aquifers, confined and unconfined.

Generally aquifers are the reservoir of the ground water.

Over break: While constructing a tunnel it is very difficult to excavate the exact
designed shape. So, there is excavation more than the designed volume. This is
known as Over break.

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After over breaking , the tunnel is given a designed shape by using the construction

materials.

General estimation of Budigandaki stroage hydropower project

Type :-run off

:-storage
Capacity :600 MW
Dam height :-225
Mean sea level(h)=520m
Length :-510m
Width:- 500 m
Tunnel :-8.5 km long
Power house ;- filshling
Area :- 50 m2
Time for complection :- 8/9 years
Time to fill :9 months

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 6
Preparation of Engineering geological map
6.1 Introduction
Engineering geology is the application of the geologic sciences to engineering
practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location,
design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are
recognized and adequately provided for. Engineering geologists investigate and
provide geologic and geotechnical recommendations, analysis, and design
associated with human development. The realm of the engineering geologist is
essentially in the area of earth-structure interactions, or investigation of how the
earth or earth processes impact human made structures and human activities.

A map which gives the information about the geological and engineering structures
of any particular place is known as the Engineering geological map. It is an
essential tool for any civil engineering construction project.

Engineering geologic studies may be performed during the planning,

environmental impact analysis, civil or structural engineering design, value
engineering and construction phases of public and private works projects, and
during post-construction and forensic phases of projects. Works completed by
engineering geologists include; geologic hazards, geotechnical, material properties,
landslide and slope stability, erosion, flooding, dewatering, and seismic
investigations, etc. Engineering geologic studies are performed by a geologist or
engineering geologist that is educated, trained and has obtained experience related
to the recognition and interpretation of natural processes, the understanding of how
these processes impact man-made structures (and vice versa), and knowledge of
methods by which to mitigate for hazards resulting from adverse natural or man-
made conditions. The principal objective of the engineering geologist is the
protection of life and property against damage caused by geologic conditions.

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 Fig. Simple Engineering Geological Map of Nepal

6.2 Methodology of Engineering Geological Map

The methods used by engineering geologists in their studies include

 geologic field mapping of geologic structures, geologic formations, soil units

and hazards;
 the review of geologic literature, geologic maps, geotechnical reports,
engineering plans, environmental reports, stereoscopic aerial photographs,
remote sensing data, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, topographic
maps and satellite imagery;
 the excavation, sampling and logging of earth/rock materials in drilled
borings, backhoe test pits and trenches, fault trenching, and bulldozer pits;
 geophysical surveys (such as seismic refraction traverses, resistivity surveys,
ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys, magnetometer surveys,
electromagnetic surveys, high-resolution sub-bottom profiling, and other
geophysical methods);
 deformation monitoring as the systematic measurement and tracking of
the alteration in the shape or dimensions of an object as a result of the
application of stress to it manually or with an automatic deformation
monitoring system; and
25
  other methods.

The field work is typically culminated in analysis of the data and the preparation of
an engineering geologic report, geotechnical report, fault hazard or seismic hazard
report, geophysical report, ground water resource report or hydro geologic report.
The engineering geologic report is often prepared in conjunction with a
geotechnical report, but commonly provide geotechnical analysis and design
recommendations independent of a geotechnical report. An engineering geologic
report describes the objectives, methodology, references cited, tests performed,
findings and recommendations for development. Engineering geologists also
provide geologic data on topograpic maps, aerial photographs, geologic maps,
Geographic Information System (GIS) maps, or other map bases.

6.3 Engineering Geological Map of a portion of Malekhu-Dhading Beshi Road

is given below

Distance from origin Bearing Rock and soil conditions

 Residual soil
 Hill slope 850
 Rock type: Marble
 Dip dirn:- N100W
 Dip amount :-S68W
 Joint
 Set 1
0+000m to Dip dirn:- N730W
0 +004.18 m S600W Dip amount :-N65W
 Set 2
Dip dirn:- N720W
Dip amount :-S66W
 Set 3
Dip dirn:- N350W
Dip amount :-S76W

 Residual soil
 Hill slope 850
 Rock type: Marble
 Dip dirn:- N50W
0+004.18 m to S72W  Dip amount :-S71W
0+011.78m  Joint
 Set 1
Dip dirn:- S780W
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 Dip amount :-S29W

 Residual soil
 Hill slope 870
0+011.78 to S53W  Rock type: Marble
0+018.34m  Dip dirn:- N100W
 Dip amount :-S31W
 Joint
 Set 1
Dip dirn:- S730E
Dip amount :-N52W
 Set 2
Dip dirn:- N750W
Dip amount :-S59W
 Set 3
Dip dirn:- N270W
Dip amount :-S31E

 Residual soil
0+018.342m to S36W  Hill slope N840W
0+023.34m  Rock type: Marble
 Dip dirn:- N300W
 Dip amount :-N61W
 Joint
 Set 1
Dip dirn:- S160W
Dip amount :-N32W
 Set 2
Dip dirn:- S25W
Dip amount :-N27W
 Set 3
Dip dirn:- S29W
Dip amount :-N35W

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 7
Study of Intact rock weathering classification
7.1 Intact rock weathering classification
TERM DESCRIPTION GRADE

Fresh No visible sign of rock material IA

weathering

Faintly Weathered Discoloration of major discontinuity IB

Slightly Weathered Discoloration indicate weathering of II

rock material and discontinuity faces. All
the rock material may be discolored by
weathering and may be somewhat
weaker than its fresh condition.
Moderately Weathered Less than half the rock material is III
decomposed and /or disintegrated to soil.
Fresh or discolored rock is present either
as a continuous frame work as core stone
Highly Weathered More than half of the rock is IV
decomposed and /or disintegrated to soil.
Fresh or discolored rock is present either
as a continuous frame work as core stone
All rock material is decomposed and /or V
disintegrated to soil. The original mass
Completely Weathered structure is still largely intact.

Residual Soil All rock material is converted to soil. VI

The mass structure and the material
fabric are destroyed. There is large
change in the volume but the soil has not
been significantly transported.

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 Conclusion
The Engineering Geological Tour , held on 2070-04-09 to 10 , to Budhigandaki
Hydroelectric Project site was awesome where we could see the reflection of our
geological theoretical knowledge. The Tour gave clear idea on application of
engineering geology in practical field.

Main things that we learned in the field are to rate a rock mass, to calculate the
RQD value , to measure the different parameter for rating of rock mass, measure
the attitude of rocks, to predict the stability of slope, to select the proper site for
tunneling, to study the impact of landslide and its mitigation, the preparation of
engineering geological map etc .

Though the site and tour was small it gave us a broad knowledge.

Finally We would like to salute our respected teachers Dr. Bashanta Raj Adhikari
and Mr. Prakash Chandra Ghimire for their co-operation in the field and friends
also.

References

Field note and Data collected during the field visit

Photo taken in the field
Class notes of .RA and PCG
http://www.google.com.np/
http://www.geology.edu.np
ATB Engineering Geology:
By Prakash Chandra Ghimire
Mahesh Singh Dhar

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