Engineering Geology 214

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Introduction

Lecturer: Leon Croukamp

lcroukamp@sun.ac.za
2021

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 Purpose of course

• Basic principles and applications of

engineering geology
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• Engineering Geology of South Africa

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 Engineering Geology

• Everything that man does is done with the

earth, on or in the earth.
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• “No engineering structure is better than

the material of which, and on which, it is
built.” – Brink, 1979

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 What is Engineering Geology

• Geology is the study of the origin, internal structure,

composition and behaviour of the Earth as a whole, but
specifically of the accessible crust as it is exposed at
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the surface, in deep mines and boreholes.

• Engineering can be defined as the science which uses
scientific knowledge in practical applications, eg. Civil,
electric, mechanical, etc.
• Engineering Geology: Application of geology in
engineering practice.
– More specifically: ensuring that factors influencing
positioning, design, construction, operation and
maintenance of engineering works are properly defined

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 Rock/soil Mech vs Eng. Geol

• Rock & soil mechanics can be regarded

as disciplines – pure research can be
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done
• Engineering geology is more an
application of different techniques in
practice

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 History

• 1900 – Catskill aqueduct below Hudson River (NY)

• 1928 – St. Francis Dam (California) fails
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• 1930’s – Terzhagi laid foundations for soil mechanics

• 1959 – Malpasset Dam fails. Increased pore water pressure.
• 1963 – Vaiont Dam. Slope failure
• 1968 – Crushing plant at West Driefontein mine. Large sinkhole
• IAEG & AEG formed late 1960’s
• SAIEG formed 1985 www.saieg.co.za
• “Guidelines for Urban Engineering Geological Investigations”

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 Engineering Geology

• Predictions about
– Nature of materials
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– Distribution below surface

– Behaviour under load (engineering
characteristics)
– Also, depth and nature of water table

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 Typical investigation

• Digging or drilling of exploratory holes

• Testing of soil/rock samples
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• Potentially some geophysical surveys

• Investigation related to type of structure
to be built AND type of terrain on which it
is to be built

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 Broad Course outline

• Introduction
• Running Water
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• Shorelines
• Mass Wasting
• Weathering & Soil
• Problem soils

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 Problem Soils

• Collapsible soil
• Compressible soil
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• Heaving clay
• Dolomite
• Pedocrete
• Excavatibility problems

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