GEOLOGY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING:

Introduction to the Course

Prepared by:
Alsola, Paul Hero A.
Cardenas, Keith Anthony L.
Evangelista, Tom Alwayne M.
Mahilum, Christian B.
Reyer, Ryan C.
BSCE – 2B

Submitted to:
Engr. Ric L. Gonzaga
Professor
Objectives:
 Defined Geology.
 Classify the different branches of geology and its application.
 Determined the tools of the geologists.
 Find out the role of Engineering Geology.
 Apply engineering geology into site assessment in response to civil engineering problems.

Introduction:
Geology is the field of knowledge concerning the present and past morphology and structure
of the earth, its environments, and the fossil record of its inhabitants. It also defined as the study of
earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials and the effects of the natural
forces acting upon them and is important to civil engineering because all work performed by civil
engineers involves earth and its features.
Engineering geology is the application of the geology to engineering study for the purpose of
assuring that the geological factors regarding the location, design, construction, operation and
maintenance of engineering works are recognized and accounted for.
Engineering geology 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.
Engineering geologists provide geological and geotechnical recommendations, analysis, and
design associated with human development and various types of structures.

Discussion:
Branches of Geology
Physical or Dynamical - deals with the minerals that constituents the earth, structures, and surface
features of the earth and the processes that have given the earth its present structure and appearance.
Historical - deals with the history of the earth.

The Subject Matter Concerned

Term Definition
Geochemistry -is the study of the chemistry of rocks and of the
waters and atmosphere.
Geodesy -concerned with the measuring the form and
size of the earth.
Geomorphology -is the study of land forms, their origin and
development.
Geophysics -is the application of the principles of physics to
the study of the earth.
Structural Geology -deals with the position of rock bodies, and with
tectonic geology interprets the forces causing
them to be deformed or broken.
Mineralogy -is the study of minerals.
Oceanography -is the study of the oceans and their basins.
Paleontology -is the study of the life of past geologic periods
and the evolution of plants and animals whose
remains or traces are found in the rocks.
Petrology -is the systematic study of rocks especially their
origin
Physiography -embrace the fields of geomorphology,
meteorology, climatology, and oceanography.
Stratigraphy -is the study of layered rocks, chiefly those of
sedimentary origin.

Its Industrial and Commercial Application

Term Definition
Economic Geology -is a broad field, involving the commercial and
industrial uses of the resources of the earth.
Agricultural Geology -is the study of soils, especially of their
depletion and erosion.
Engineering Geology -is the application of the geology to engineering
study for the purpose of assuring that the
geological factors regarding the location,
design, construction, operation and maintenance
of engineering works are recognized and
accounted for.
Hydrology -is the study of surface and underground water.
Mining Geology -geology applied to the finding and extraction of
metallic deposits (ores) and nonmetallic
resources such as coal, building stones, clay,
etc.
Petroleum Geology is the study of the origin and occurrence of
petroleum (oil) and natural gas.
Military Geology -is the application of geologic knowledge to
 warfare.
Tools of the Geologists

Surveying Instruments

Surveying instruments are used to assist in measuring land, including vertical distance,
horizontal distance, and volume of excavated material.

Examples of Surveying Instrument

Term Definition
Transit -used to measure horizontal and vertical angles.
Theodolite is a precision optical instrument for measuring
angles between designated visible points in the
horizontal and vertical planes.
Plane table -is a method that involves placing a drawing
board, known as a plane table, on the ground
and using it as a reference surface.
Brunton compass -it is widely used by geologists and surveyors to
make accurate degree and angle measurements.

Geophysical Instruments
Geophysical instruments are used for geological study, including rock and soil mechanics,
and surveying the earth.
Examples of Geophysical Instrument

Term Definition
Dip Needle. -used to measure the magnetics attraction of
 rocks.
Pendulum and Gravimeter -Gravimeters measure gravity differences on
land and, with modifications, at sea. Pendulums
were used to measure gravity differences on
land, and with special design, in a submerged
submarine.
Seismograph -used to record the motion of the ground during
an earthquake.
Magnetometer -measures variations in the earth's magnetic
field.
Geiger and Scintillation Counter -Geiger only used to detect radiation and does
not measure radiation dose while Scintillation
detectors absorb radiation and emit light that is
converted into a radiation measurement.

Optimal Instrument
Optimal instruments are a technique for improving the efficiency of estimators in conditional
moment models, a class of semiparametric models that generate conditional expectation functions.
Examples of Optimal Instruments

Term Definition
Petrographic Microscope -used to identify rocks and minerals in thin
sections.
Electron Microscope -a microscope that uses a beam of electrons as a
source of illumination.
X-ray Diffractometer -is a device for analyzing and measuring the
structure of materials.
Spectrometer -used to separate and measure spectral
components of a physical phenomenon.
Phase Microscope -converts phase shifts in light passing through a
transparent specimen to brightness changes in
the image. Phase shifts themselves are invisible,
but become visible when shown as brightness
variations.

Maps and Literature

Maps and literature represent the distribution of different types of rock and surficial deposits,
as well as locations of geologic structures such as faults and folds.
Examples of Maps and Literature

Term Definition
Profile Map -is a side view of geographical data, which
focuses on elevation.
Cross Section -is used to illustrate an area's structure and
stratigraphy that would otherwise be hidden
underground
Topographic Maps -is a type of map characterized by largescale
detail and quantitative representation of relief
features, usually using contour lines, but
historically using a variety of methods.
 Geologic Maps -represent the distribution of different types of
rock and surficial deposits, as well as locations
of geologic structures such as faults and folds.
Block Diagram -used for higher level, less detailed descriptions
that are intended to clarify overall concepts
without concern for the details of
implementation.

Geology and Engineering Geology as Profession

Engineering geology problems usually appear in two forms:
1. Human activities restricted by the geological environment.
2. Human activities potentially affecting the geological environment.

Engineering Geology

The goal of engineering geology research is to make reasonable evaluations about, scientific
evaluations of, and correct improvements for the occurrence of possible geological problems in the
interaction between the ecological environment and human activities.

Engineering Geology Engineering geology intends to make sure that the construction is
technically practical and economically reasonable.

Engineering geology is an applied specialty of geology that interlinks geology with civil
engineering. Its task is to analyze and solve geology problems related to human activities and human
engineering.

Sample Problems:
1. High groundwater levels are causing problems during tunnel excavation.
Situation: A high-rise building is experiencing uneven settlement due to variable soil conditions.
2. Slope Instability in Road Construction
Situation: A new road project involves cutting into a steep slope, risking landslides.
3. Foundation Problems in Expansive Soils
Situation: Foundations are failing due to soil expansion and contraction in an area with expansive
clay.
4. Erosion of Coastal Infrastructure
Situation: Coastal infrastructure is being eroded by rising sea levels and wave action.
5. Rockfall Hazards Near a New Highway
Situation: A new highway is being constructed in a mountainous area prone to rockfalls.
6. Inadequate Soil Bearing Capacity for a New Bridge
Situation: Soil at the bridge site does not have adequate bearing capacity for the planned structure.
7. Groundwater Impact on Tunnel Construction
Situation: High groundwater levels are causing problems during tunnel excavation.
8. Settlement Due to Underground Mining
Situation: Surface settlement is occurring due to nearby underground mining operations.
9. Contaminated Soil Affecting Construction
Situation: Soil contamination is discovered at a construction site, posing health and safety risks.
10. Liquefaction During Earthquakes
Situation: An area prone to liquefaction during seismic events is being developed for residential
construction.

Conclusion:
 Geology is the field of knowledge concerning the present and past morphology and structure
of the earth, its environments, and the fossil record of its inhabitants.
 Engineering geology is the application of the geology to engineering study for the purpose of
assuring that the geological factors regarding the location, design, construction, operation and
maintenance of engineering works are recognized and accounted for.
 Engineering geologists provide geological and geotechnical recommendations, analysis, and
design associated with human development and various types of structures.
 Tools of the Geologists: Surveying Instruments, Geophysical Instruments, Optimal
Instruments, Maps and Literature.
 Engineering geology 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.

Self-Assessment:
o Identification:
INSTRUCTION: Read comprehensively and follow the instruction carefully.
Identify the technical terms referred to in the following definitions.
1. It usually appeared in two forms: human activities restricted by the geological environment
and human activities potentially affecting the geological environment.
2. Deals with the position of rock bodies, and with tectonic geology interprets the forces causing
them to be deformed or broken.
3. The application of the geology to engineering study for the purpose of assuring that the
geological factors regarding the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of
engineering works are recognized and accounted for.
4. The systematic study of rocks especially their origin.
5. A broad field, involving the commercial and industrial uses of the resources of the earth.
 o Essay:
INSTRUCTION: Write your answer in 1 whole yellow pad.
Question: In Engineering Geology as a profession, how will you relate the profession to Civil
Engineering in terms of Constructing Infrastructure projects? Why?

o Enumeration:
 (1-6.) Give at least 6 branches of geology.
 (7-10.) Enumerate the 4 different tools of the geologists.
 (11-15.) Give the examples of optimal instruments.
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