GEOL 314 Dr.

Robert Mitchell
Engineering Geology ES234
Winter 2019 650-3591
[email protected]
https://cse.wwu.edu/geology/rjmitch

Office hours: MWF 10-11 am, or by arrangement.

Introduction
GEOL 314 focuses on the core activities of engineering geologists – site characterization and geologic
hazard identification and mitigation. Through lectures, labs, and case study examination you will learn
to couple your geologic expertise with the engineering properties of rock and unconsolidated materials
in the characterization of geologic sites for civil work projects and the quantification of processes such
as rock slides, soil-slope stability, settlement, and liquefaction.

Engineering geology is an applied geology discipline that involves the collection, analysis, and
interpretation of geological data and information required for the safe development of civil works.
Engineering geology also includes the assessment and mitigation of geologic hazards such
earthquakes, landslides, flooding; the assessment of timber harvesting impacts; and groundwater
remediation and resource evaluation. Engineering geologists are applied geoscientists with an
awareness of engineering principles and practice—they are not engineers. In states that require
professional licensing (e.g., Washington, Oregon, and California) these practitioners become Licensed
Engineering Geologists (LEGs), not Professional Engineers (PEs) like geological engineers and
geotechnical engineers

Course Structure
My combined engineering and geoscience academic background enables me to convey engineering
fundamentals and how geology is applied to assess site vulnerabilities. I will focus on the mechanics of
Earth materials and how they respond to forces and stresses. In the first half of the course I will discuss
rock mechanics, and how to characterize the susceptibility of rock mass sites to failure. You will learn
how to assess rock-mass quality, perform kinematic analyses, and analyze rock-slope stability (sliding
and topples). In the second half of the course I cover the mechanics of unconsolidated materials (soils)
as applied to processes such consolidation/settlement, subsidence, liquefaction, compaction, and soil
slope stability. I will also introduce common methods used in geotechnical engineering such as the
Unified Soil Classification System and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standards
(e.g., Atterberg limits and Proctor tests). Please see the lecture topics below.

To convey these concepts, I use a combination of lectures (3 hours per week) and labs (2 hours per
week). The labs will emphasize material testing and analysis, employ ArcGIS techniques for site
characterization, and utilize a software package called Rocscience for analyzing rock masses, rock
slope stability, consolidation and settlement, and soil-slope stability. Two lab sessions will be allocated
for discussions with practitioners, both engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers, who will
visit campus to share their case study experiences. Please see the lab topics below.

My course outcomes and learning objectives for GEOL 314 outlined on the last page of the syllabus.
Reading Resources
There is not a required textbook for the course. Some recommended engineering geology textbooks
include:
Principles of Engineering Geology, Robert B. Johnson and Jerome V. De Graff, Wiley Press, 1988.
Geological Engineering, Luis I. González de Vallejo and Mercedes Ferrer, CRC Press, 2011
Engineering Geology: An Environmental Approach, Perry H. Rahm, 2nd Ed, Prentice Hall, 1996.
Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Practice, Donald P. Coduto et al., 2nd Ed, Pearson, 2011.
Some online resources include:
Geotechnical Engineering Circular No. 5: Evaluation of Soil and Rock Properties, P.J. Sabatini, R.C.
Bachus, P.W. Mayne, J.A. Schneider, T.E. Zettler. Report No. FHWA-IF-02-034.
Geotechnical Design Manual, Washington State Department of Transportation, Pub. No. M 46-03.10.
Engineering Geology Field Manual, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Assessment
Labs and Problem Sets
There will be weekly two-hour labs that will include a mix of ArcGIS exercises, material testing and
data analysis, software applications using Rocscience, and case studies presented by local
professionals. The lab topics are listed below. In addition to the lab exercises you will be given
problem sets that are very much like those encountered in physics, only they have geological meaning.
The lab exercises and problem sets enforce the theory and develop problem solving skills and critical
thinking. I do not require the memorization of equations; therefore, I provide an equation sheet that is
updated throughout the quarter for exercises and exams. Labs and problem sets turned in after class on
the due date will be deducted 5%, and 10% for each day they are late. I realize that life happens and
that there are circumstances where it is difficult to get work done. Please see me to make arrangements
if you find yourself in this situation to discuss your options.

Exams
I give two exams during the quarter and a comprehensive final exam. The exams represent 75% of the
grade. I expect you to understand a concept both conceptually and quantitatively, therefore, my exams
tend to be a mix of concept description and problem solving using equation identification and
manipulation. I provide an equation sheet with each exam, which is the same version of the one used
for the problem sets, so your familiarity with the equation sheet becomes essential. I also provide a
study guide prior to an exam summarizing the essential concepts I expect you to understand.

You will be required to take all exams at the scheduled times. Make-up exams will be given only in the
case of official prearranged absences or emergencies. An excused absence form from the office of
Student Affairs is required.

The grading break down will be as follows:

Lab and Problem Sets…25 %
Exam 1…………….…..25%
Exam 2………….……..25%
Final Exam……….……25% (Tuesday, March 19, 1-3 pm)

A grading scale will be as follows (a curve is possible but not certain):

100-93 = A, 92-90 = A-, 89-88 = B+, 87-83 = B, 82-80 = B-, 79-78 = C+, 77-73 = C, 72-70 = C-,
69-68 = D+, 67-63 = D, 62-60 = D-, 60 or below = F
Academic honesty is an important part of every course at WWU. For students, academic integrity
means challenging yourself, striving for excellence, taking risks and learning from your mistakes,
doing your own work, and giving credit whenever you use the work of others. It boils down to caring
about your schoolwork and always being honest in carrying it out. However, academic integrity and
honesty can be challenging due to such things as ignorance, confusion, stress, bad advice, and bad
choices. To help you keep your integrity and good reputation intact, review WWU's Integrity Website
http://www.wwu.edu/integrity/ provides all the information you need, including why integrity is
important, how to promote it, as well as types of academic dishonesty and how to avoid them,
particularly plagiarism. It also includes WWU's policy and procedures on academic honesty (Appendix
D of the WWU Catalog). See me if you have any concerns or questions about academic integrity
regarding yourself or your classmates.

If you have a documented disability you must report to me during the first week of class to discuss
your needs. If you need disability-related accommodations, please notify the Disability Access Center
(DAC): telephone: 650–3083; email: [email protected]; online: http://disability.wwu.edu
Attendance is not required but it is expected. It is your responsibility to get notes for the classes you miss. I
encourage you to visit my office for help and clarification, but do not use my office hours to obtain lecture
material that you miss (unless you have an excused absence). Please feel free to talk to me anytime about
your performance in the course or possible ways you can improve.

Your professional conduct in this course is important. I facilitate my courses in a professional manner
and have the same expectations of you. By professional, I mean having a respectful demeanor, arriving
to class on time, no texting or internet surfing during class, communicating with courteous emails,
producing neat organized and well written student works, and by all means, maintaining academic
honesty. Think about how you would like me to communicate your professionalism to a potential
employer.

I am committed to establishing and maintaining a classroom climate that is inclusive and respectful for
all students and an environment free of discrimination and harassment. Learning includes being able to
voice a variety of perspectives, and classroom discussion is encouraged. While students’ expressed
ideas may vary and/or be opposed to one another, it is important for all of us to listen and engage
respectively with each other. Federal and State laws, as well as WWU University policies, protect
students, faculty and staff against discrimination.

Student Services
• In the case of a medical concern or question, please contact the Health Center: 650-3400 or
https://studenthealth.wwu.edu/
• In the case of an emotional or psychological concern or question, please contact the Counseling
Center: 650-3400 or https://counseling.wwu.edu/
• In the case of a health and safety concern, please contact the University Police: 650-3555 or
http://www.wwu.edu/ps/
• In the case of a family or personal crisis or emergency, please contact the Dean of Students: 650-
3775 or https://wp.wwu.edu/students/
• To seek confidential support related to sexual violence, please contact CASAS (650-3700), the
Student Health Center, and/or the Counseling Center. To report sexual violence, please contact
University Police, and/or the Title IX Coordinator in Western’s Equal Opportunity Office (650-
3307).
GEOL 314 - Engineering Geology Lecture Topics

1. Introduction—definition of engineering
2. Site Characterization
3. Bulk properties of rock—porosity, bulk density, unit weight, moist density
4. 1-D stress and strain—compression and tension
5. Geostatic stress and Bulk Modulus
6. Mining room and pillar analysis—introduction of the factor of safety
7. Shear stress and strain
8. Elastic properties and seismic velocities
9. Translational slides—in terms of forces & factor of safety equation
10. Translational slide—in terms of stresses & factor of safety equation
11. Translational slides—engineered slopes
12. Translational slides—road cuts
13. Topples—moments
14. Exam 1
15. Soils introduction
16. Soil classification—coarse fraction & the Unified Classification System
17. Engineering properties of clays (sensitivity—quick clays)
18. Soil classification—fine fraction, plasticity & Atterberg Limits
19. Induced Stress
20. Effective Stress
21. Consolidation—settlement and compression index (Cc)
22. Consolidation—rates (permeability)
23. Liquefaction
24. Compaction
25. Soil shear strength—triaxial test and Mohr’s circles
26. Exam 2
27. Infinite slopes
28. Rotational slides—moments
29. Rotational slides—method of slices
30. Rotational Slides—vegetation and triggers
31. Rotational Slides—mitigation
32. Earthquake ground shaking and NEHRP data
GEOL 314 - Engineering Geology Lab Topics

1. ArcGIS exercise: introduction to site characterization and geologic hazards in Whatcom County,
WA.

2. I-90 Design Sector VI rock mass quality analysis using intact rock, core recovery, and rock quality
designation (RQD) data.

3. I-90 Design Sector VI stereographic projection of discontinuity data using Rocscience Dips
software.

4. I-90 Design Sector VI kinematic analysis using discontinuity data and slope face orientations and
Rocscience Dips software.

5. Soil classification and the Unified Soil Classification System –determining the group symbol and
group name of the course fraction resulting from sieve analyses.

6. Soil classification and the Unified Soil Classification System – determining the plastic and liquid
limit (Atterberg Limits) of the fine fraction of a soil.

7. Consolidation and Settlement – case study examples and using Rocscience Settle3D software.

8. ArcGIS exercise: using model builder in ArcGIS to examine infinite slope landslide susceptibility
in the Smith Creek basin in the Lake Whatcom watershed.

9. Analysis of a deep-seated rotational landslide using Rocscience Slide software.

10. Seismic Design Categories – use USGS web tools and DNR maps to examine the seismic design
categories of site in Washington State.
GEOL 314 - Engineering Geology Course Outcomes and Objectives

GEOL 314 Course Student Learning Outcomes: Students will understand:

1. regional glacial and alluvial history and their influence on engineering works
Course objectives: Students will be able to:
a. distinguish between glacial outwash, till, glaciomarine drift; and alluvium, and their
depositional environments

2. site characterization and how to collect, analyze, and report geologic data using standards
in engineering practice.
Course objectives: Students will be able to:
a. use ArcGIS to examine geology, soil, geologic hazard, and earthquake data to
characterize a geologic site
b. apply ASTMs to perform geotechnical tests

3. the fundamentals of the engineering properties of Earth materials and fluids

Course objectives: Students will be able to:
a. Calculate the bulk properties of rocks and unconsolidated sediments such as density,
void ratio, water contents, and unit weights
b. estimate rock strength from stress, stain, and elastic quantities from unconfined
compression or tension test

4. rock mass characterization and the mechanics of planar rock slides and topples
Course objectives: Students will be able to:
a. evaluate rock-mass quality and perform a kinematic analysis
b. apply the factor of safety equation to solve planar rock slide and toppling problems

5. soil characterization and the Unified Soil Classification System

Course objectives: Students will be able to:
a. perform a grain-size analysis and classify soils using the USCS
b. determine Atterberg Limits (plastic and liquid limits) and classify soils using the USCS

6. the mechanics of soils and fluids and their influence on settlement, ground shaking and
liquefaction, and soil-slope stability
Course objectives: Students will be able to:
a. determine soil strength parameters from in situ tests
b. describe how water influences the mechanics of soils
c. apply the method of slices and factor of safety equation to solve rotational slide
problems
d. determine the Seismic Design Category for a site
Geology 314 – Engineering geology provides information for the following Geology
degree program outcomes:

B.A. Geology B.S. Geology B.S. Geophysics GUR

Program 2. Earth's surface is 2. Earth's surface is 2. Earth's surface is 1. Analyze and
Outcomes affected by affected by affected by communicate ideas
dynamic processes dynamic processes dynamic processes effectively in oral,
on a range of on a range of on a range of written, and visual
timescales. timescales. timescales. forms.

7. Graduates have 7. Graduates have 7. Graduates have 3. Use quantitative

developed their developed their developed their and scientific
observational, observational, observational, reasoning to frame
analytical and analytical and analytical and and solve problems.
quantitative skills quantitative skills quantitative skills
(field, lab, (field, lab, (field, lab,
computer, and computer, and computer, and
classroom) classroom) classroom)

10. Graduates 10. Graduates

(alone or in teams) (alone or in teams)
will be able to will be able to
present geological present geological
information clearly information clearly

I reserve the right to change the syllabus as required throughout the term to better meet the
instructional needs of the class.