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Geology & Petroleum Geology, Meston Building: Prof Ian Alsop

This document provides an overview of the objectives and process of geological site investigations. It discusses collecting initial data through desk studies of maps, records and site visits. The main investigation stage involves surface geology mapping, geophysical surveys, and subsurface exploration through trial pits and boreholes. Challenging ground conditions are outlined such as soft drift, fractured bedrock, cavities, slopes and landfill. Laboratory testing of rock and soil samples is also described. The final report summarizes and interprets the field and lab results to provide recommendations.

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Ruslan Zhivkov
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71 views28 pages

Geology & Petroleum Geology, Meston Building: Prof Ian Alsop

This document provides an overview of the objectives and process of geological site investigations. It discusses collecting initial data through desk studies of maps, records and site visits. The main investigation stage involves surface geology mapping, geophysical surveys, and subsurface exploration through trial pits and boreholes. Challenging ground conditions are outlined such as soft drift, fractured bedrock, cavities, slopes and landfill. Laboratory testing of rock and soil samples is also described. The final report summarizes and interprets the field and lab results to provide recommendations.

Uploaded by

Ruslan Zhivkov
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EG 3027 LECTURE 7: GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SITE INVESTIGATION

Prof Ian Alsop

Geology & Petroleum Geology, Meston Building

Objectives of site investigation


Assess site suitability Assess ground conditions and properties Assess potential ground difficulties Collect ground data for use in design of structure

Geological objectives

Assess soil/drift conditions Determine depth to rockhead Assess nature of bedrock

Drift

Transported rock debris In UK = sediment <2 Ma


Alluvium Glacio-fluvial

sands /

gravels Tills Peat Lake sediments

Investigation stages

1. Initial stage
Desk

study Site visit Preliminary report / fieldwork plan

2. Main stage
Fieldwork Lab

testing (mainly soils) Final report

3. Review stage
Monitor

site during excavation / construction

Initial stage desk study


Identify possible problems Target problem areas Geological data


Geological

maps and records Local sources


Councils,

universities, farmers

Mining

records Topographical maps Air photographs

BGS
(British Geological Survey)

www.bgs.ac.uk Maps Regional guides Technical reports Borehole data

Geological maps

Mining records

Coal Authority legally obliged to keep coalmine data Records incomplete prior to 1947 No controlling authority for other mining types
But

new Mining Access Portal

Old topographical maps


Useful for: Past land use


Mines,

quarries
streams coasts

Filled-in features
Ponds,

Erosional changes
Rivers,

Air photographs

Useful for some sites: Tone


Water

content

Texture
Rock

changes

Trends
Structures

Initial stage site visit

Geology
Compare

site with existing map Examine outcrops

Geomorphology
of slope natural or artificial? River terraces, floodplains, moraines
Breaks

Disturbed ground
Mining,

waste dumps, landslips

Groundwater Any previous structures?

Main stage field work

Surface geology
Is

mapping required? Examination of in situ material Describe:


Strength Structure Colour Texture Grain

size Rock name

Main stage field work

Geophysical investigation
Ground Seismic

penetrating radar (GPR)


cavities

Shallow

refraction/reflection
depth variation location

Rockhead

Magnetic Gravity
Deep

anomalies

Mineshaft

anomalies

cavities variable drift

Electromagnetism
Laterally

Main stage field work

Subsurface Trial pits, trenches, boreholes

Drilling logs

Log should record: Rock type and description Unit thicknesses Rock Quality Designation (RQD) Rock strength Permeability

Difficult ground conditions

Soft, variable drift

Difficult ground conditions

Fractured / weathered bedrock

Difficult ground conditions

Natural / artificial cavities

Difficult ground conditions

Groundwater flow

Difficult ground conditions


Slope failure Planar/wedge slides along rock failure surface Rotational slides along clay failure surfaces Mud/debris flows develop from weak clays or previously failed material

Difficult ground conditions

Landfill

Difficult ground conditions

Old building foundations

Main stage lab work

Rock strength tests: Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)


Relates

broadly to porosity Igneous UCS typically >200 MPa

Rock Quality Designation (RQD)


Measure

of fracture density % of core in >10 cm sections (ideally >70)

Soil strength tests

Final report

Site description
General

geology Location of boreholes, trenches, samples Correlate fieldwork with lab analysis

Fieldwork results Laboratory results Interpretation and recommendations

Exam tips

1 (a) Using diagrams where appropriate, describe the different processes by which metamorphic rocks are formed: Metamorphism is solid state change of existing rocks by heat and/or pressure. Metamorphic grades: low grade high grade Main types of metamorphism: - Regional - Contact (or thermal) - Mechanical - Chemical (metasomatism)

Exam tips

(b) Give three examples of metamorphic rock types and explain how they were formed. [6 marks] Examples could include:
Marble Slate Schist Quartzite Hornfels Gneiss

Exam tips

(c) Discuss the factors that should be considered: when using metamorphic rocks as aggregates when putting foundations into metamorphic rocks [4 marks] Foliation a key consideration: Heavily foliated metamorphics = poor aggregates Before sinking foundations into heavily foliated rocks, detailed knowledge of foliation orientation and variation required Generally requires expensive reinforcement Hornfels, quartzite, gneiss and psammite have a high crushing strength = good aggregates Slate = poor aggregate, but excellent roofing material. Marble = good ornamental or dimension stone

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