Geology For Civil Engineers

Geology for Civil
Engineers
Engr. Vill Racca
Course Description
 Fundamentals of Geology applied to civil engineering problems. Topics

include:
 Rock and mineral types
 Soil properties
 Rock mechanics
 Geologic structures
 Active tectonics and Earthquake hazards
 Slope Stability and Landslides
 Groundwater, rivers and flood hazards
Course Outcomes
 At the end of the course, the student must 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 on civil engineering projects.
 Identify and classify rock using basic geologic classification systems.
 Use geologic literature to establish the geotechnical framework needed to properly
design and construct heavy civil works and 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 a science that examines the earth, its form and composition, and
the changes it has undergone and is undergoing.
 Geology is divided into two main fields.

 Physical Geology – is the study of materials composing the earth and the process
phenomena that operate beneath and upon its surface.
 Historical Geology – deals with the study of the evolution of the earth.
 The science of Physical Geology logically precedes the Science of Historical

Geology because we need to know how our own planet works before we attempt to
open its past.
EARTH 101
Branches of Geology
 Geophysics (Physical geology): concerned with the physical processes and

physical properties of the Earth and its surrounding space environment, and
the use of quantitative methods for their analysis.
 Petrology: studies the origin, composition, distribution and structure of
rocks.
 Mineralogy: The study of minerals, its composition and properties.
 Structural Geology (Tectonic): the study of the three-dimensional
distribution of rock units with respect to their deformational histories.
 Stratigraphy: studies rock layers (strats) and layering (stratification). It is
primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks.
Branches of Geology…
 Paleontology: is simply the study of ancient life; the study of fossils to determine
organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments (their
paleoecology).
 Crystallography: is the experimental science of determining the arrangement of atoms in
the crystalline solids
 Mining Geology: an applied science which combines the principles of economic geology
and mining engineering to the development of a defined mineral resource.
 Geology Engineering (Geotechnics): is the application of scientific methods and
engineering principles to the acquisition, interpretation, and use of knowledge of
materials of the Earth's crust and earth materials for the solution of engineering problems
and the design of engineering works.
 Hydrology: study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other
planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed
sustainability.
Astronomical Studies about the Earth
 Aristarchus – the first Greek to advocate a sun-centered or heliocentric

universe.
 Heliocentric idea was suggested earlier by Aristotle but was rejected because
the motion of the earth around the sun would be demonstrated by a shift in
the position of the stars, a phenomenon which was not observed.
 Pythagoras (6th Century B.C.) – a Greek philosopher and mathematician
suggested that the earth rotates upon an axis and revolves around the sun and
its orbit. He also advocated the Heliocentric Theory.
 Claudius Ptolemy – an astronomer and a mathematician of Alexandria
advanced the Geocentric Theory which placed the earth at the center of the
universe.
Astronomical Studies about the Earth…
 After the Middle Ages, the first great heliocentric to emerge was Nicolaus
Copernicus, a Polish astronomer. The Heliocentric Theory was revived.
 Galileo – invented the first astronomical telescope which firmly established
the Heliocentric Theory and contributed much to he increasing support for
the heliocentric world system of Copernicus.
 Johannes Kepler – discovered the three laws of planetary motion which
describe the Copernican Theory.
Structures and Compositions of the
Earth

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Geology for Civil

 Fundamentals of Geology applied to civil engineering problems. Topics

 At the end of the course, the student must be able to:

 Geology is divided into two main fields.

 The science of Physical Geology logically precedes the Science of Historical

 Geophysics (Physical geology): concerned with the physical processes and

 Aristarchus – the first Greek to advocate a sun-centered or heliocentric

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