ENGINEERING GEOLOGY LABORATORY

LAB MANUAL

Academic Year : 2018 - 2019

Course Code : ACE103
Regulations : IARE - R16
Semester : III Branch: (CE)

Prepared By
Y. Ravi Kumar
K. Tarun Kumar
Assistant Professor

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
(Autonomous)
DUNDIGAL, HYDERABAD-500 043, TELANGANA STATE
 INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
(Autonomous)
Dundigal, Hyderabad - 500 043

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Program: Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech)

VISION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To produce eminent, competitive and dedicated civil engineers by imparting latest technical
skills and ethical values to empower the students to play a key role in the planning and execution
of infrastructural & developmental activities of the nation.

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To provide exceptional education in civil engineering through quality teaching, state-of-the-art

facilities and dynamic guidance to produce civil engineering graduates, who are professionally
excellent to face complex technical challenges with creativity, leadership, ethics and social
consciousness.
 INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
(Autonomous)
Dundigal, Hyderabad - 500 043

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Program: Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES (PO’s)

PO1 Engineering knowledge:

Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and an
engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.
PO2 Problem analysis:
Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyze complex engineering
problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics,
natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
PO3 Design/development of solutions:
Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design system components
or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for the
public health and safety, and the cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
PO4 Conduct investigations of complex problems:
Use research-based knowledge and research methods including design of
experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to
provide valid conclusions.
PO5 Modern tool usage:
Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering
and IT tools including prediction and modeling to complex engineering activities
with an understanding of the limitations.
PO6 The engineer and society:
Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal, health,
safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the
professional engineering practice.
PO7 Environment and sustainability:
Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in societal and
environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable
development.
PO8 Ethics:
Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and
norms of the engineering practice.
PO9 Individual and team work:
Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams,
and in multidisciplinary settings.
PO10 Communication:
Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering
community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write
effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give
and receive clear instructions.
PO11 Project management and finance:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering and management
principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to
manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
PO12 Life-long learning:
Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in
independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.
 INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
(Autonomous)
Dundigal, Hyderabad - 500 043

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Program: Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech)

The Program Specific outcomes (PSO’s) listed below were developed specifically to meet the
Program Educational Objectives (PEO’s). The focus of these PSO’s is consistent with the set of
required PO’s identified in the NBA accreditation guidelines.

The Civil Engineering PSO’s require that graduates receiving a Bachelor of Technology in Civil
Engineering degree from IARE demonstrate the following.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC OUTCOMES (PSO’S)

PSO1. ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE
Graduates shall demonstrate sound knowledge in analysis, design, laboratory
investigations and construction aspects of civil engineering infrastructure, along
with good foundation in mathematics, basic sciences and technical
communication.
PSO2. BROADNESS AND DIVERSITY
Graduates will have a broad understanding of economical, environmental,
societal, health and safety factors involved in infrastructural development, and
shall demonstrate ability to function within multidisciplinary teams with
competence in modern tool usage.
PSO3. SELF-LEARNING AND SERVICE
Graduates will be motivated for continuous self-learning in engineering practice
and/or pursue research in advanced areas of civil engineering in order to offer
engineering services to the society, ethically and responsibly.
 Engineering Geology Laboratory – Syllabus

Exp. No. Name of the Experiment

1. Study of Minerals

2. Laboratory Study and Observations of Physical Properties

of Minerals

3. Study of Rocks Referred under theory

4. Observations and Identification of Rocks

5. Interpretation and Drawing of Sections for Geological Maps

6. Simple Structural Geology Problems

 ATTAINMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES (PO’s) & PROGRAM

SPECIFIC OUTCOMES (PSO’s)

Exp. No Name of the Experiment Program Program

Outcomes Specific
attained Outcomes
attained
1 Study of physical properties and identification PO1,PO2,PO4, PSO1,PSO2
of minerals referred under theory. PO6,PO10

2 Megascopic and microscopic identification of PO1,PO2,PO4, PSO1,PSO2

minerals. PO6,PO10
3 Megascopic and microscopic description and PO1,PO2,PO4, PSO1,PSO2
study of rocks referred under theory. PO10
4 Megascopic and microscopic identification of PO1,PO2,PO4, PSO1,PSO2
rocks. PO6,PO10
5 Interpretation and drawing of sections for PO1,PO2,PO4, PSO1,PSO2
geological maps showing titled beds, faults, PO6,PO10
uniformities, etc.,
6 Simple structural geology problems. PO1,PO2,PO4, PSO1,PSO2
PO6,PO10
 MANDATORY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Students should report to the labs concerned as per the timetable.

2. Record should be updated from time to time and the previous experiment must be
signed by the faculty in charge concerned before attending the lab.

3. Students who turn up late to the labs will in no case be permitted to perform the
experiment scheduled for the day.

4. After completion of the experiment, certification of the staff in-charge concerned in

the observation book is necessary.

5. Students should bring a notebook of about 100 pages and should enter the
readings/observations/results into the notebook while performing the experiment.

6. The record of observations along with the detailed experimental procedure of the
experiment performed in the immediate previous session should be submitted and
certified by the staff member in-charge.

7. Not more than FIVE students in a group are permitted to perform the experiment on a
set up.

8. The group-wise division made in the beginning should be adhered to, and no mix up of
student among different groups will be permitted later.

9. The components required pertaining to the experiment should be collected from Lab-
in-charge after duly filling in the requisition form.

10. When the experiment is completed, students should disconnect the setup made by
them, and should return all the components/instruments taken for the purpose.

11. Any damage of the equipment or burnout of components will be viewed seriously
either by putting penalty or by dismissing the total group of students from the lab for
the semester/year.

12. Students should be present in the labs for the total scheduled duration.

13. Students are expected to prepare thoroughly to perform the experiment before coming
to Laboratory.

14. Procedure sheets/data sheets provided to the students groups should be maintained
neatly and are to be returned after the experiment.
15. DRESS CODE:

1. Boys - Formal dress with tuck in and shoes.

2. Girls - Formal dress (salwar kameez).

3. Wearing of jeans is strictly prohibited

 CONTENTS

S. No. Page No

1. Vision and Mission of the department 1

2. Program Outcomes (PO’s) 2

3. Program Specific Outcomes (PSO’s) 4

4. Syllabus 5

5. Attainment of PO’s and PSO’s 6

6. Mandatory Instructions 7

7. Contents 9
Study of physical properties and description of minerals
8. referred under theory 11

Megascopic and microscopic identification of minerals

9. 20
Megascopic and microscopic description and study of
10. rocks referred under theory 31

11. Megascopic and microscopic identification of rocks 34

Interpretation and drawing of sections for geological
12. maps showing titled beds, faults, uniformities, etc. 53

13. Simple structural geology problems 59

MINERALS
 STUDY OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF
MINERALS

STUDY OF MINERALS

Mineral

A mineral may be defined as a natural, inorganic, homogenous, solid substance having a definite
chemical composition and regular atomic structure.

Common methods of study for the identification of minerals

Method Principle
Based on the study of atomic structure, distinctive for every mineral.
X-ray analysis
Its limitation is expensive, time consuming.
Based on the study of chemical composition. Its limitation is
expensive, time consuming and not suitable for minerals exhibiting
Chemical analysis
polymorphism (two or more minerals exhibit different physical
properties in spite of possessing the same chemical composition).
Based on the net effect of chemical composition and
Optical study
atomic structure. Its limitation is expensive.
Based on the consistency in physical properties which are
Study of physical due to the definite chemical composition and regular
properties atomic structure. Its limitation is liable for erroneous
inference, sometimes.
 LABORATORY STUDY

In laboratories minerals are identified preferably by the method of study of physical properties.

Advantages

• The unique advantage is that the minerals can be studied in the field itself.

• It does not require any additional requirements, chemicals or equipment.

• It involves no loss or wastage of minerals. Hence repetitive study is possible.

• Immediate inference is possible.

• It is the cheapest and simplest method.

The following are the physical properties identified in the laboratory

1. Form

The form represents the common mode of occurrence of a mineral in nature.

Form Description Example

Mineral appears as thin separable Different varieties of Mica
Lamellar form
layers.
Mineral appears as slabs of Feldspars, Gypsum
Tabular form
uniform thickness.
Mineral appears to be made up of Asbestos
Fibrous form
fine threads.
Mineral appears to be made up of Bauxite
Pisolitic form
small spherical grains.
Oolitic form Similar to Pisolitic form but rains are Lime stones
of still smaller size.
 Rhombic form Rhombic shape Calcite
Mineral appears as cluster or as Kyanite
Bladed form
independent rectangular grains.
Mineral appears to be made up of Chromite, Magnetite
Granular form innumerable equidimensional grains
of coarse or medium or fine size.
Mineral appears as long slender Topaz
Columnar form
prism.
Prismatic form As elongated Apatite, quartz
Spongy form Porous Pyrolusite
Crystal form Polyhedral, Geometrical shapes. Garnets, Galena
Massive form No definite shape for mineral. Jasper, Graphite
Porous and appears due to Laterite
Concretionary
accretion of small irregularly shaped
Form
masses.
Irregularly shaped compact Flint
Nodular form
bodies with curved surfaces.

2. Colour

It is the usual body colour of mineral.

Name of the Mineral Colour

Olivine Olivine green
Biotite, Graphite, Magnetite Black
Chlorite Green
Garnet Red
Kyanite Blue
Amethyst Violet
Colorless, White, Green, Violet, Grey,
Quartz
yellow, Pink, etc..
 White, Grey, Shades of Red, Green, Dirty
Feldspar
white, etc
Colorless, white, shades of Red, Grey,
Calcite
Yellow, etc

3. Streak

The colour of the mineral powder is called the streak of a mineral. This is tested by
rubbing the mineral on streak plate (An unglazed white porcelain plate).

Name of the Mineral Body Colour Streak

Hematite Steel Grey Cherry Red
Chromite Black Dark Brown
Magnetite Black Black
Graphite Black Black
Molybdenite Black Greenish Black

4. Lustre

Lustre is the nature of shining on the surface of the mineral.

Lustre Description Example

It is the type of shining that Galena, Gold, Pyrite
Metallic Lustre appears on the surface of a
metal.
lf the amount of shining is Hematite, Chromite,

Sub metallic Lustre less when compared to Magnetite

metallic luster.

Vitreous Lustre Shining like a glass sheet. Quartz, Feldspar

Less shining when Pyroxenes
Sub Vitreous Lustre
compared to vitreous lustre.
Pearly Lustre Shining like a pearl Talc, Muscovite mica
 Silky Lustre Shining like silk Asbestos
Resinous Lustre Shining like a resin Opal, Agate
Greasy Lustre Shining like grease Graphite
Adamantine Lustre Shining like a diamond Garnet, Diamond
Earthy or Dull Lustre No Shining Bauxite, Magnesite

5. Fracture

Fracture is the nature of the randomly broken surface of a mineral.

Fracture Description Example

If the broken surface is Magnesite, Chalk
Even fracture
plain and smooth.
If the broken surface is Hornblende, Bauxite
Uneven fracture
rough or irregular.
If the broken surface is very Asbestos, Kyanite
Hackly fracture irregular like end of a
broken stick.
If the broken surface is Opal
Conchoidal fracture
smooth and curved
If the curved nature is less Agate, Flint, Jasper
Sub Conchoidal fracture
prominent.

1. Cleavage
The definite direction or plane along which a mineral tends to break easily is called
cleavage of that mineral. It occurs as innumerable parallel planes along which the
mineral is equally weak. Such parallel planes of weakness are referred to as a set.
Cleavage Example
One set of cleavage Mica, Chlorite, Talc
Two sets of cleavages Feldspars, Pyroxenes, Amphiboles
Three sets of cleavages Calcite, Dolomite, Galena
Four sets of cleavages Fluorite
 Six sets of cleavages Sphalerite
No cleavage Quartz, Olivine, Garnet

7. Hardness

Hardness may be defined as the resistance offered by the mineral to abrasion or

scratching. It is determined with the help pH Moh's scale of hardness which consists of ten
reference minerals arranged in increasing order of hardness and numbered accordingly.

Name of the Mineral Hardness

Talc 1
Gypsum 2
Calcite 3
Fluorite 4
Apatite 5
Feldspar 6
Quartz 7
Topaz 8
Corundum 9
Diamond 10

2. Specific gravity or Density

Specific gravity or Density of minerals depends on their chemical composition and

atomic structure.

Density Range Example

Specific gravity less than 2.5 Gypsum (2.3), Graphite (2-
Low density
2.3)
Specific gravity between 2.5 and Quartz (2.7), Feldspar(2.5)
Medium density
3.5
High density Specific gravity greater than 3.5 Chromite (4.5- 4.8)
9. Degree of transparency

Degree of transparency is tested along the thin sharp edges of mineral keeping it against a
powerful source of light. Depending upon the resistance offered by the minerals to the passage of
light through them the transparency is classified.

Degree of Transparency Example

Transparent Thin layers of Muscovite, rock crystal
Translucent Agate, Calcite
Opaque Galena, Pyrite

10. Special properties

Some minerals exhibit unique characters which enable them to be identified easily.

Name of the Mineral Special property

Talc smooth touch or soapy feel
Graphite Marks on a paper easily
Pyrolusite Soils the fingers
Halite Saline taste
Magnetite Strongly attracted by any ordinary magnet
Rough feeling of touch, adheres strongly to
Chalk
the tongue
Moh’s Scale of Hardness

NAME OF MATERIAL HARDNESS

Talc 1

Gypsum 2

Calcite 3

Fluorite 4

Apatite 5

Feldspar 6

Quartz 7

Topaz 8

Corundum 9

Diamond 10
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical composition :

2. Crystal system :

3. Nature of origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

OBSERVATIONS

1. Form :

2. Colour :

3. Streak :

4. Lustre :

5. Fracture :

6. Cleavage :

7. Hardness :

8. Specific Gravity :

9. Degree of Transparency :

10. Special Property :

INFERENCE

THEORITICAL PROPERTIES

1. Chemical Composition :

2. Crystal System :

3. Nature of Origin :

4. Occurrence :

5. Uses :

6. Remarks :
ROCKS
 MEGASCOPIC AND MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION AND
IDENTIFICATION OF ROCKS REFERRED UNDER THEORY

STUDY OF ROCKS

A rock is defined as an aggregate of minerals. It is also described as unit of earth's crust.

Based on their origin, geologically rocks are classified into igneous rocks, Sedimentary rocks,
metamorphic rocks.

Igneous rocks:

These are characterized by vesicular structure, amygdaloidal structure and Aphanitic

structure if they are volcanic. If they are Hypabyssal or plutonic, they are dense, compact and
exhibit interlocking texture.

Sedimentary rocks:

Occurrence of normal or cross bedding, cementing material, fossils, ripple marks, mud
cracks, tracks and trails and peculiar forms such as modular, concretionary, Pisolitic, Oolitic, etc
indicate that the rocks under study of sedimentary rocks.

Metamorphic rocks:

Occurrence of alignment of minerals (lineation, foliation) and metamorphic minerals

indicate the rocks under the study of metamorphic group.
 IGNEOUS ROCKS

Terminology related for the description of igneous rocks

1. Texture

Phaneric If minerals are visible to naked eye by virtue of their size.

Aphanitic If minerals are too fine to be seen by naked eye.
Phaneric coarse If minerals are greater than 5mm in size.
Phaneric medium If minerals are 2mm to 5mm in size.
Phaneric tine If minerals are less than 2mm in size.
Equigranular If minerals are nearly of same size.
Inequigranular If some minerals are distinctly larger than others.
Porphyritic If larger minerals are surrounded by smaller minerals.
If minerals are closely interlinked and cannot be separate
Interlocking
without damaging surrounding minerals.
If angular quartz grains occur with some orientation in
Graphic
feldspars.

2. Colour

If the rock looks pale coloured or white coloured, it

Leucocratic
indicates that the rock may be acidic.
If the rock looks dark coloured or black coloured, it
Melanocratic
indicates that the rock may be basic or ultra basic.
Mesocratic If the rock is neither dark coloured nor pale coloured.

3. Structure

Vesicular If the rock is having empty cavities

Amygdaloidal If the rock has cavities filled with amygdales

4. Minerals
 Primary If the minerals are present from the beginning of formation of rock.
Secondary If the minerals are present after the formation of rock.
Essential If they are major constituents and decide the name of the rock.
If they occur in small quantities and their presence or absence
Accessory
has nothing to do in naming a rock.

5. Silica Saturation

Oversaturated If a rock has free quartz.

Under saturated If a rock has unsaturated minerals like Olivine.
Saturated If a rock has neither free quartz nor unsaturated minerals.

6. Depth of Formation

Plutonic/Hypabyssal If a rock is Phaneric and has interlocking texture.

Volcanic If a rock is vesicular or amygdaloidal and Aphanitic.
 IGNEOUS ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 IGNEOUS ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 IGNEOUS ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 IGNEOUS ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 IGNEOUS ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

Details relevant for the study of sedimentary rocks

1. Bedding or stratification

a) Different beds can be recognized based on colour, grain size, texture, hardness and other
physical properties.
b) In case of cross bedding sets of layers will not be parallel but mutually inclined.

2. Cementing Material

It imparts white colour and pale colour to sand stones and

Calcareous
can be known by acid test.
Imparts shades of brown, red, or yellow colour to sand
Feriginous
stone
It provides only weak cohesion for sand particles, which fall
Argillaceous
of rubbing the sand stone
Resembles calcareous cementing material but provides
Siliceous
competence and durability to sand stone.
Glaucontic It provides green colour to sand stone.

3. Fossils

May be plant (leaf) fossils or shells (complete or broken) - common in shales and lime stones.

4. Ripple Marks

Rare, may appear in sandstones, shales and lime stones. These appear as ware undulations on
rock surface.

5. Peculiar forms
 Concretionary, nodular Laterites, Lime stones
Pisolotic Lime stones, Laterites
Oolitic Lime stones
Solution cavities Lime stones
Lamination Shales

6. Flaggy

Tendency to break in to slab, due to parallel fractures. Sometimes these are noticed in lime
stones and sand stones.

7. Fissility

Tendency to split along bedding planes. Some shale has this character.

8. Conchoidal fracture

In dense compact Lime stones, less distinctly in shales

9. Composition

Argillaceous Shales
Arinaceous Sand stones
Calcareous Lime stones

10. Grain Size

Too fine to be seen as separate particles in shales and lime stones.

11. Surface touch

Gritty or rough in sand stones, smooth in shales and lime stones.

12. Appearance
Panels of colours for laterites, dense very fine grained for lime stone.
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

l. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

l . Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

l. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

l . Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

l . Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

Details relevant for the study of metamorphic rocks

1. Foliation

It refers to the parallel alignment of platy or lamellar minerals in metamorphic rocks.

2. Lineation

It refers to the parallel alignment of prismatic or columnar minerals in metamorphic rocks.

3. Metamorphic minerals

Minerals like garnet, tale, chlorite, graphite are suggestive of metamorphic origin of a rock.

4. Gneissose structure

It is generally observed in granite gneisses where in alternating black (hornblende) and white
(feldspars and quartz) colour bands appear.

5. Schistose structure

They have predominantly lamellar (mica, tale, chlorite) or prismatic (hornblende, Kyanite
etc) minerals. These do not have any alternating colour bands.
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

1. Colour :

2. Grain :

3. Texture or Structure :

4. Mineral Present :

INFERENCE:

1. Essential Minerals :

2. Accessories :

3. Mode of Origin :

Special properties/Uses:
GEOLOGICAL

MAPS
 INTERPRETATION AND DRAWING OF SECTIONS FOR
GEOLOGICAL MAPS SHOWING TITLED BEDS, FAULTS,
UNIFORMITIES, ETC.

GEOLOGICAL MAPS

Geological Map

A map is described as representation of an area on a plain paper to a scale. The

geological map is one which reveals the geological information in terms of topography, litho
logy, and geological structure, order of superposition, thickness of beds and geological history of
that region. A geological map is a contour map over which geological formations, structures etc
are marked.

Civil Engineering Importance

For safe, stable, successful and economical Civil Engineering constructions such as dams,
reservoirs, tunnels, etc., detailed geological information is essential. Proper interpretation of a
geological map provides all details which a Civil Engineer requires. This study of geological
maps is of great importance.

Aim

The purpose of interpretation of the following maps is not to tackle any specific Civil
Engineering project but to equip with all necessary geological information, so as to enable the
concerned to utilize the same as the required by the context.

Interpretation

In a geological map, normally contours are marked as dotted lines with elevation value
and bedding planes, fault planes etc are marked as continuous lines. The interpretation comprises
of details of topography, litho logy, structure and geological history.
Interpretation of Topography

From the study of contour the information noted is about

1. Maximum height, Minimum height, Surface relief

2. Number of Hills, Valleys, ridges, etc

3. Nature of slope, whether it is uniform or irregular and steep or gentle

Relevant details

1. Area in the map indicated as below

N
NW NE

SW SE

N N
W E

S
2. Hills or Hill ranges

• Closed contour with contour values increasing inwards

• Repeated appearance of the same in a row is Hill Range

• Contours also indicate shape of Hills

3. (a) Maximum height is the elevation which is more than the highest contour marked in the
map.

(b) Minimum height is the elevation which is less than the lowest contour marked in the map.

(c) Surface relief is the difference between the maximum height and the minimum height.

4. (a) Valleys: These are a series of V shaped (sharply bent) contours with successively higher
elevation towards the pointed ends (convex side) of the contours.

• The sharpness of bends indicates the stage of valley development

• Young valleys have sharply contours but mature valleys have bluntly curve
contours
 SIMPLE STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY PROBLEMS

Interpretation of Litho logy and Structure

1. Horizontal Beds: If the bedding planes and associating contours are mutually parallel it
indicates beds are Horizontal.

a) Highest elevation is the youngest

b) Can't have Strike and Dip

2. Vertical Beds: If the bedding planes appear as straight lines and also cuts across the
associating contours, it indicates beds are vertical.

a) Bedding plane itself is their strike direction

b) No dip direction but dip amount is 90°

3. Inclined Beds: If the bedding planes are curved and cut across the associating contours, it
indicates beds are inclined.

a) Choose any bedding plane which cuts across the same contour minimum at two places.
Draw a line passing through. It gives the strike direction of beds.

b) Next check where the bedding planes cut next contour, draw a parallel line passing
through this point.

c) If the bedding plane refers to A/B contact and contour passes at the intersection point
(where bedding plane, strike line, contour line intersect) is 500 and is called A/B 500.
Second value is either A/B 600 or A/B 400.

d) A short line perpendicular to the strike line in the decreasing side is the Dip direction.
i. Dip amount = (contour interval*60)/strike interval.
e) Since the arrow head of the dip direction points to successively younger Beds, Order of
Superposition is known
f) Strike direction is expressed both with N or S, but dip direction is expressed only either N
or S. For example if N 10° E is dip direction, then strike direction is N 80 ° W or S 80 ° E
MAP I: A CASE OF HORIZONTAL BEDS
MAP II: A CASE OF VERTICAL BEDS
MAP III: A CASE OF INCLINED BEDS
MAP IV: A CASE OF UNCONFORMITY
MAP V: A CASE OF FAULTED BEDS
MAP VI: A CASE OF FOLDED BEDS