Other university, Civil Engineering , Engineering Geology Syllabus

PCC-CE202 Engineering Geology

Module 1: Introduction-Branches of geology useful to civil engineering, scope of geological studies
in various civil engineering projects. Department dealing with this subject in India and their scope
of work- GSI, Granite Dimension Stone Cell, NIRM. Mineralogy-Mineral, Origin and composition.
Physical properties of minerals, susceptibility of minerals to alteration, basic of optical mineralogy,
SEM, XRD., Rock forming minerals, megascopic identification of common primary & secondary
minerals.
Module 2:Petrology-Rock forming processes. Specific gravity of rocks. Ternary diagram. Igneous
petrology- Volcanic Phenomenon and different materials ejected by volcanoes. Types of volcanic
eruption. Concept of Hot spring and Geysers. Characteristics of different types of magma. Division
of rock on the basis of depth of formation, and their characteristics. Chemical and Mineralogical
Composition. Texture and its types. Various forms of rocks. IUGS Classification of phaneritic and
volcanic rock.. Field Classification chart. Structures. Classification of Igneous rocks on the basis of
Chemical composition. Detailed study of Acidic Igneous rocks like Granite, Rhyolite or Tuff, Felsite,
Pegmatite, Hornfels. Metamorphic Aureole, Kaolinization. Landform as Tors. Engineering aspect to
granite. Basic Igneous rocks Like Gabbro, Dolerite, Basalt. Engineering aspect to Basalt.
Sedimentary petrology- mode of formation, Mineralogical Composition. Texture and its types,
Structures, Gradation of Clastic rocks. Classification of sedimentary rocks and their characteristics.
Detailed study of Conglomerate, Breccia, Sandstone, Mudstone and Shale, Limestone Metamorphic
petrology- Agents and types of metamorphism, metamorphic grades, Mineralogical composition,
structures & textures in metamorphic rocks. Important Distinguishing features of rocks as Rock
cleavage, Schistosity, Foliation. Classification. Detailed study of Gneiss, Schist, Slate with
engineering consideration.
Module3: Physical Geology- Weathering. Erosion and Denudation. Factors affecting weathering
and product of weathering. Engineering consideration. Superficial deposits and its geotechnical
importance: Water fall and Gorges, River meandering, Alluvium, Glacial deposits, Laterite
(engineering aspects), Desert Landform, Loess, Residual deposits of Clay with flints, Solifluction
deposits, mudflows, Coastal deposits.
Module 4: Strength Behavior of Rocks- Stress and Strain in rocks. Concept of Rock Deformation &
Tectonics. Dip and Strike. Outcrop and width of outcrop. Inliers and Outliers. Main types of
discontinuities according to size. Fold- Types and nomenclature, Criteria for their recognition in
field. Faults: Classification, recognition in field, effects on outcrops. Joints & Unconformity; Types,
Stresses responsible, geotechnical importance. Importance of structural elements in engineering
operations. Consequences of failure as land sliding, Earthquake and Subsidence. Strength of
Igneous rock structures.
Module 5: Geological Hazards- Rock Instability and Slope movement: Concept of sliding blocks.
Different controlling factors. Instability in vertical rock structures and measures to prevent collapse.
Types of landslide. Prevention by surface drainage, slope reinforcement by Rock bolting and Rock
anchoring, retaining wall, Slope treatment. Case study on black clay. Ground water: Factors
controlling water bearing capacity of rock. Pervious & impervious rocks and ground water.
Lowering of water table and Subsidence. Earthquake: Magnitude and intensity of earthquake.
Seismic sea waves. Revelation from Seismic Records of structure of earth. Case Study on Elevation
and Subsidence in Himalayan region in India. Seismic Zone in India.

Module 6: Rock masses as construction material: Definition of Rock masses. Main features
constituting rock mass. Main features that affects the quality of rock engineering and design. Basic
element and structures of rock those are relevant in civil engineering areas. Main types of works
connected to rocks and rock masses. Important variables influencing rock properties and behavior
such as Fresh rock Influence from some minerals. Effect of alteration and weathering.
Measurement of velocity of sound in rock. Classification of Rock material strength. Core logging
.Rock Quality Designation. Rock mass description.
Module 7:Geology of dam and reservoir site- Required geological consideration for selecting dam
and reservoir site. Failure of Reservoir. Favorable & unfavorable conditions in different types of
rocks in presence of various structural features, precautions to be taken to counteract unsuitable
conditions, significance of discontinuities on the dam site and treatment giving to such structures.
Module 8:Rock Mechanics- Sub surface 9nvestigations in rocks and engineering characteristics or
rocks masses; Structural geology of rocks. Classification of rocks, Field & laboratory tests on rocks,
Stress deformation of rocks, Failure theories and sheer strength of rocks, Bearing capacity of rocks.

Text/Reference Books:
1. Engineering and General Geology, Parbin Singh, 8th Edition (2010), S K Kataria & Sons.
2. Text Book of Engineering Geology, N. Chenna Kesavulu, 2nd Edition (2009), Macmillan
Publishers India.
Geology for Geotechnical Engineers, J.C.Harvey, Cambridge University Press (1982).