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Fundamentals of Engineering Geology
Fundamentals of Engineering Geology
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2016
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Preface
The motivation to write this textbook stemmed from a course of engineering geology
given by the author to undergraduate students in the Department of the Building and
Construction Engineering at the University of Technology. The course has changed,
and I hope improved, during the fifteen years since I was first involved with it. It was
essentially a scaled-down version of an introductory course to science undergraduates.
In my opinion, I dissatisfy with the introductory texts in engineering geology that
have been available about the last decade, the period in which I have teaching this
subject at the University of Technology.
My main thought was to meet the special interests and professional needs of civil
engineers. The book deals with both descriptive and quantitative aspects of the
subject. My specific complaint was the minor amount of computational material
contained in most textbooks in engineering geology, thus we try serious attempts to
apply science and mathematics to highlight specific problems in this subject. My
experience in teaching indicates that the relevance of subject matter to the desire of
those taught usually increases their interest. For example, civil engineers must have an
insight into how geologists reach conclusions in making a geological map, in order to
evaluate the finished map. Similarly, they should appreciate how and why geologists
differentiate between different rocks, not because these differences are important for
most engineering purposes but so that they can read a geological report sensibly and
with the ability to examine the relevant from the irrelevant information.
This book is essentially an introductory text in the fundamentals of Engineering
Geology for civil engineers, rather than geology, which is adequate for the needs of
their later careers, and on which further courses of engineering geology, soil
mechanics or rock mechanics can be based. I have, however, extended the scope of
the book beyond what is geology in the strict sense to include engineering applications
of geology. This is partly to demonstrate the relevance of geology to engineering, and
partly in the expectation that the book will also serve as a useful handbook of facts
and methods for qualified engineers and other professionals who use geology, and that
I was not the only teacher of geology who felt the need for a textbook tailored to them.
Obviously, students of geology will have done much more reading on geology than
the basic geological material covered in this book. They presumably will have done or
will do some reading on soil mechanics and rock mechanics. On the other hand, those
with an engineering background will have read some soil and rock mechanics, but
need some basic geology, hopefully, this book will meet their needs. Moreover, any
book will reflect the background of its author and his or her view of the subject.
No single textbook can cover all the needs of the variety of readers who may use
it. However, the author has attempted to give a balanced overview of the subject; we
hope that you will find it useful and readable. This textbook is written for
undergraduate and post-graduate students of engineering geology. It is hoped that this
will also be of value to those involved in the profession, especially at the earlier stages
of their careers. However, it is aimed at not just engineering geologists but also at
those in civil engineering, building and construction engineering, petroleum and
mining engineering, water engineering, quarrying and, to a lesser extent, architecture,
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planning, and surveying. In other words, those who deal with the ground should know
something about it.
The topics covered in 16 chapters are: an introduction to geology and Civil
Engineering; earth structure; minerals; rocks; weathering, erosion and soil formation;
structural geology; topographic and geologic maps; physical and engineering
properties of rocks; surface water and rivers geologic work; subsurface (ground)
water; site investigation and geophysical techniques; geology of tunnels, highways,
railways and bridges; geology of dams sites and reservoirs; geological materials used
in construction; geologic resources and energy resources; and finally natural
geological hazards related to Civil Engineering. There are 773 review questions and
problems: in which 354 as general review questions; 147 true or false and 188 MCQs;
84 mathematical problems with 42 answers. Also some chapters contain several
worked-out examples with total of 63 in all. These have been selected to be neither so
simple as to be virtually valueless, nor so hard as to discourage the reader. The topics
covered as those that most undergraduate books on engineering geology cover in at
least a semi-quantitative fashion, even if no problems sets are included.
The author is greatly indebted to express his special thanks and gratitude to the
President of the University of Technology (UOT) Prof. Dr. Amin D. Thamir, UOT
Vice President for Administrative Scientific Affairs Assist. Prof. Dr. Alaa A. Atiyah
and UOT Vice President for Administrative Affairs Assist. Prof. Dr. Sami A. Ajeel, for
adopting this text as a formal textbook in Civil Engineering and the necessary action
for printing the book. Deep gratitude and sincere thanks to Prof. Dr. Namir K.S. Al-
Saoudi and Prof. Dr. Riyadh H. Al-Anbari, respectively the former and current Head
of the Building and Construction Engineering Department at the University of
Technology, for their real supports and facilities given to me in completing this book.
My thanks to Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzak T. Ziboon, the Deputy Head of Department for
Higher studies & Scientific Research, for his support. The author gratefully
acknowledges Prof. Dr. Mazin Y. Tamar-Agha and Prof. Dr. Moutaz A.S. M. Al-
Dabbas of the University of Baghdad for their review of the text and the many
constructive suggestions that have led to major changes of content and arrangement.
My appreciation to all colleagues and friends in the Highway & Bridges Engineering
Branch and in the Department for their many opinions that have kindly given to me. I
would also like to thank the UOT Printing Press Department, especially Mr. Abbas M.
Al-Anbari, the Director, and all the staff for their assistance in bringing out the book in
its present form. The author also acknowledges all those who have given permission
to publish materials from other sources. It is my pleasure to introduce this textbook
and I hope that you will find it useful and readable.
At the end, I would like to thank all my family members, especially my dear wife
Dr. Nada Hussein Mohammad Ali Al-Khafaji of the College of Science/ University of
Baghdad and my dear son Zaidoon and my dear daughters Rand and Dina for their
patience and continuous encouragement. It is a pleasure to be indebted to my family,
so for all of them I dedicate this textbook.
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CONTENTS
Page
CHAPTER 1: Geology and Civil Engineering 2
1.1 The Science of Geology 2
1.2 Branches of Earth Sciences 3
1.3 Development of Engineering Geology 4
1.4 Aims of Engineering Geology 5
1.5 Attaining the Aims 7
1.6 Materials and Mass Fabric 8
1.7 Professional Development in Engineering Geology 9
1.8 Relevance of Geology to Civil Engineering 10
Review Questions 13
CHAPTER 3: Minerals 27
3.1 Introduction 27
3.2 Formation of Minerals 27
3.3 Classification of Minerals 28
3.4 Crystal Forms of Minerals 32
3.5 Identification of Minerals 36
Review Questions 45
CHAPTER 4: Rocks 47
4.1 The Nature of Rocks 47
4.2 Igneous Rocks 48
4.2.1 Formation of Igneous Rocks 49
4.2.2 Igneous Structures 51
4.2.3 Classification of Igneous Rocks 54
4.3 Sedimentary Rocks 57
4.3.1 Introduction 57
4.3.2 Major Processes for Sedimentary Rocks Formation 58
4.3.3 Description of Sediments 59
4.3.4 General Properties of Sedimentary Rocks 61
4.3.5 Factors Affecting Variety of Sedimentary Rocks 61
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4.3.6 Textures and Kinds of Deposition of Sedimentary Rocks 62
4.3.7 Sedimentary Rock Structures 64
4.3.8 Classification of Sedimentary Rocks 68
4.3.9 Sedimentary Rocks and Environment 70
4.4 Metamorphic Rocks 70
4.4.1 Introduction 70
4.4.2 Agents of Metamorphism 71
4.4.3 Types of Metamorphism 72
4.4.4 The Bases of Classification of Metamorphic Rocks 73
4.4.5 Classification of Metamorphic Rocks 75
4.4.6 Locations of Metamorphic Rocks 77
4.5 Comparisons among Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks 77
Review Questions 78