INTRODUCTION

TO GEOLOGY
 GEOLOGY 
 deals with study of the earth, geological agents and
processes, identification of rocks and minerals with
adaptation to Philippine conditions and structural
relationship of earth formations and stratification to
the foundations for engineering.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GEOLOGY IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING MAY BRIEFLY AS FOLLOWS:
1. Geology provides a systematic knowledge of construction material, its occurrence, composition, durability and
other properties. Example of such construction materials is building stones, sandstones, clay, limestone and laterite.
2. The knowledge of the geological work of natural agencies such as water, wind, ice and earthquakes helps in
planning and carrying out major civil engineering works. For example the knowledge of erosion, transportation and
deposition helps greatly in solving the expensive problems of river control, coastal and soil conservation.
3. Ground water is the water which occurs in the subsurface rocks. The knowledge about its quantity and depth of
occurrence is required in connection with water supply, irrigation, excavation and many other civil engineering
works.
4. The foundation problems of dams, bridges and buildings are directly concerned with the geology of the area where
they are to be built. In these works drilling is commonly undertaken to explore the ground conditions. Geology
helps greatly in interpreting the drilling data.
5. In tunneling, constructing roads, canals, docks and in determining the stability of cuts and slopes, the knowledge
about the nature and structure of rocks is very necessary.
6. Before staring a major engineering project at a place, a detailed geological report which is accompanied by
geological maps and sections, is prepared. Such a report helps in planning and constructing the projects.
RELEVANCE OF GEOLOGY IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
 The feasibility, the planning and design, the construction and costing
 The safety of a project may depend critically on the geological conditions where the construction will
take place.
 Some excavated rocks can be used as building materials
ROLE OF THE ENGINEER IN THE
SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION OF A SITE
 5 stages in systematic exploration and investigation of a new site:

1. preliminary investigation using published information and other existing data

2. a detailed geological survey of the site, possibly with a photogeology study
3. applied geophysical surveys to provide information about the subsurface
geology
4. boring, drilling and excavation to provide confirmation of the previous
results, and      quantitative detail, at critical points on the site
5. testing of soils and rocks to assess their suitability, particularly their
mechanical properties     (soil mechanics and rock mechanics), either in situ
or from samples
BRANCHES OF
GEOLOGY
PETROLOGY
 is the branch of geology that studies the origin, composition, distribution and structure of
rocks.
 THERE ARE 3 BRANCHES OF PETROLOGY,
CORRESPONDING TO THE THREE TYPES OF
ROCKS
 1.) Igneous petrology focuses on the composition and   texture of igneous rocks (rocks such as
granite or basalt which have crystallized from molten rock or magma).
 2.) Sedimentary petrology focuses on the composition and texture of sedimentary rocks (rocks such
as sandstone, shale, or limestone which consist of pieces or particles derived from other rocks or
biological or chemical deposits, and are usually bound together in a matrix of finer material).
 3.) Metamorphic petrology focuses on the composition and texture of metamorphic rocks (rocks
such as slate, marble, gneiss, or schist which started out as sedimentary or igneous rocks but which
have undergone chemical, mineralogical or textural changes due to extremes of pressure,
temperature or both).
 Mineralogy – is the study of minerals.
 Crystallography- study of crystals.
 Economic Geology – it deals with the study of minerals, rocks and materials of economic importance like coal and
petroleum.
 Physical Geology – deals with the various processes of  physical agent such as wind, water, glaciers and sea waves.
 Stratigraphy- is the study of stratified rocks and their correlation.
 Palaeontology – is the study of fossils (the ancient remains of plants and animals).
 Structural Geology- the study of structures founds in rocks, it is also known as tectonic geology or simply tectonics.
 Historical Geology – the study of both stratigraphy and paleontology.
 Mining Geology – it deals with the study of application of geology to mining engineering in such a way that the selection
of suitable site s for quarrying and mines can be determined.
 Civil Engineering Geology – deals with all the geological problems that arise in the field civil engineering along with
suitable treatments.
 Hydrology – deals with the studies of both quality and quantity of water that are present in the rocks in different states.
 Resources Engineering – the study of water, land, solar energy, minerals, forests, etc.
 Photo Geology – deals with the study of aerial photographs.