Weathering of Rocks

JOHN CHRISTIAN L. GAVIOLA

Faculty, Department of Civil Engineering
Visayas State University
Course Outcomes

To discuss the process of weathering

including the rock cycle and
elaborate its scales and types

To explain the different landforms

relevant to engineering and
emphasize its importance in the
general practice.
The Nature’s
Architect
Weathering is a natural process at the Earth’s
crust which is an in-situ mechanical disintegration
and/or chemical decomposition of rocks.
1. Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering
which is a processes that break a rock
or mineral into smaller pieces without
altering its composition
2. Chemical Weathering
processes that change the chemical
composition of rocks and minerals
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

1. Abrasion
When rocks collide one
another or scrap against
each other, their exposed
surfaces can be chipped or
fractured.
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

2. Exfoliation
Outer layers of rocks peel off like an onion.
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

3. Frost Action
when liquid water goes into
cracks and then freezes causing
the cracks to get wider
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

4. Organic Activity
These may include:
Root Pry (Plant Activities)
Burrowing (Animal Activities)
Mining/Construction (Human
Activities)
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

4. Organic Activity
These may include:
Root Pry (Plant Activities)
Burrowing (Animal Activities)
Mining/Construction (Human
Activities)
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

5. Hydraulic Action
Hydraulic action occurs when
water (generally from powerful
waves) rushes rapidly into
cracks in the rock face, thus
trapping a layer of air at the
bottom of the crack,
compressing it and weakening
the rock. When the wave
retreats, the trapped air is
suddenly released with
explosive force.
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

6. Haloclasty
A process in which the growth of salt
crystals causes physical weathering.
• when saline solution seep into
cracks and joints in the rocks and
evaporate, leaving salt crystals
behind.
• These salt crystals expand as they
are heated up, exerting pressure
on the confining rock.
Mechanical Weathering
Also known as the physical weathering which is a processes that break a
rock or mineral into smaller pieces without altering its composition

6. Haloclasty
A process in which the growth of salt
crystals causes physical weathering.
• when saline solution seep into
cracks and joints in the rocks and
evaporate, leaving salt crystals
behind.
• These salt crystals expand as they
are heated up, exerting pressure
on the confining rock.
Chemical Weathering
Processes of rock disintegration that change the chemical composition of
rocks and minerals

1. Carbonation and Dissolution

• Takes place when dissolved carbon
dioxide present in water and air
forms carbonic acid.
• CO2 chemically combines with
minerals and water to make
carbonic acid which dissolves
certain rocks.
• These cavities may generate
sinkholes or cave features such as
stalactites and stalagmites.
CO2 + H2O H2CO3
 Chemical Weathering
Processes of rock disintegration that change the chemical composition of
rocks and minerals

1. Carbonation and Dissolution

• Takes place when dissolved carbon
dioxide present in water and air
forms carbonic acid.
• CO2 chemically combines with
minerals and water to make
carbonic acid which dissolves
certain rocks.
• These cavities may generate
sinkholes or cave features such as
stalactites and stalagmites.
CO2 + H2O H2CO3
Chemical Weathering
Processes of rock disintegration that change the chemical composition of
rocks and minerals

2. Hydrolysis
• Hydrogen in rainwater reacts with
the minerals in the rocks, changing
them to clay.
• Minerals may chemically combine
with water to form new minerals.
Again these are generally not as
hard as the original material.
• An example is the weathering of
feldspar by reacting with water to
form clay.
Chemical Weathering
Processes of rock disintegration that change the chemical composition of
rocks and minerals

3. Oxidation
• When oxygen combines with iron in
rocks, it changes into iron oxide
(rust).
• Occurs when oxygen in air assisted
by water combines with minerals to
form oxides.
• Oxidation normally occurs to rock
or minerals such as olivine
pyroxene and amphibole that
contain high iron content and
therefore produce rusty, red, yellow
and brown rocks and soils.
Chemical Weathering
Processes of rock disintegration that change the chemical composition of
rocks and minerals

3. Oxidation
• When oxygen combines with iron in
rocks, it changes into iron oxide
(rust).
• Occurs when oxygen in air assisted
by water combines with minerals to
form oxides.
• Oxidation normally occurs to rock
or minerals such as olivine
pyroxene and amphibole that
contain high iron content and
therefore produce rusty, red, yellow
and brown rocks and soils.
Spheroidal Weathering
Both mechanical and chemical weathering is believed to
actively cooperate in causing spheroidal weathering.
Spheroidal Weathering
Both mechanical and chemical weathering is believed to
actively cooperate in causing spheroidal weathering.

• It is a complex type of weathering in jointed

rocks and characterized with the breaking of
original rock mass into spheroidal blocks.
• As the decomposed material falls off, the
corners become rounded and the block
eventually is reduced to an ellipsoid or a
sphere.
Factors affecting Weathering
There are few factors which determine the rate at which the exposed
bedrock being weathered by various agents of weathering such as:

1. Composition of Rocks
2. Physical Condition of the
Rock
3. Topography
4. Climate