Final Page 1

Introduction:
Geology is the study that also concerns civil
engineering profession. It is important that the
earth and its features are also considered in
construction.
Since structures are being built on ground, civil engineers are keen on considering the area
where buildings/structures are to be located to avoid calamities such as earthquakes and floods.
Objectives:
At the end of the chapter the students would be able to understand:
1. What is geology and its importance to the civil engineering profession.
2. Be able to identify the branches of geology.
Motivation
As a civil engineering student what do you think is the greatest challenge that civil engineers
encounter? Does it involve geology?
Do you think geology is important to study?
If so, read on.

GEOLOGY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
What is Geology?
 study of earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials and
the effects of the natural forces acting upon them
 study of the geosphere, which is composed of Earth's rocks and minerals
What does Geology have to do with Civil Engineering?
 all work performed by civil engineers involves earth and its features.
 for a civil engineering project to be successful, the engineers must understand the land
upon which the project rests.
 One of the most important tasks a civil engineer needs to complete is site surveying.
Surveying and overall investigation of a site follow a five-step process:
1. Gathering preliminary information from pre-existing data about the site
2. Completing a detailed geological survey of the site (this will likely include
photogrammetry and LiDAR surveying)
3. Compiling survey data to form hypotheses about geology below surface
level
4. Completing drilling and boring projects to confirm geological hypotheses
5. Performing tests on rocks and soil from the site to determine whether it is
suitable for the project at hand

Branches of Geology
1. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY deals with
(1) the nature and properties of materials composing the earth,
(2) the distribution of materials throughout the globe,
(3) the processes by which they are formed, altered, transported, and distorted, and
(4) the nature and development of the landscape
2. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY studies the record(history) of the physical and biologic
development on the earth
3. MINERALOGY is the study of physical and chemical properties of minerals.
4. PETROLOGY studies the characteristics and origin of rocks.
5. PETROGRAPHY focus on lab analysis and microscopic investigation of rocks.
6. PALEONTOLOGY is the study of ancient life.
7. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY focus on deformation of rocks.
8. STRATIGRAPHY studies the age relationships of rocks.
9. GEOMORPHOLOGY studies land forms.

Some of the Other branches include
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY is the study of fuels, metals, and other materials from the earth
that are of interest to industry or the economy in general. It is
concerned with the distribution of resources, the costs and benefits of
their recovery, and the value and availability of existing materials.
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY refers to the specific set of geological disciplines that are
applied to the search for hydrocarbons (oil exploration).
MORE SPECIALIZED BRANCHES
GEOPHYSICS is also fundamental to the needs of society – it is essential for exploring
for energy, water, and mineral resources, monitoring environmental
impact and change and assessing natural and manmade hazards.
GEOCHEMISTRY is broadly concerned with the application of chemistry to virtually all
aspects of geology.
OCEANOGRAPHY is the study of the physical, chemical, and biological features of the
ocean, including the ocean's ancient history, its current condition, and
its future.
SEISMOLOGY are Earth scientists, specialized in geophysics, who study the genesis and
the propagation of seismic waves in geological materials.
VULCANOLOGY, also spelled vulcanology, discipline of the geologic sciences that is
concerned with all aspects of volcanic phenomena.

www.encyclopedia.com
www.sciencedaily.com
geophysics.org.uk
www.britannica.com
www.nationalgeographic.org
earthquakescanada.ncran.gc.ca

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Introduction:

Geology is the study that also concerns civil

engineering profession. It is important that the

earth and its features are also considered in

At the end of the chapter the students would be able to understand:

1. What is geology and its importance to the civil engineering profession.

2. Be able to identify the branches of geology.

encounter? Does it involve geology?

Do you think geology is important to study?

If so, read on.

the effects of the natural forces acting upon them

 study of the geosphere, which is composed of Earth's rocks and minerals

What does Geology have to do with Civil Engineering?

upon which the project rests.

Surveying and overall investigation of a site follow a five-step process:

1. Gathering preliminary information from pre-existing data about the site

photogrammetry and LiDAR surveying)

3. Compiling survey data to form hypotheses about geology below surface

4. Completing drilling and boring projects to confirm geological hypotheses

suitable for the project at hand

1. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY deals with

(1) the nature and properties of materials composing the earth,

(2) the distribution of materials throughout the globe,

(4) the nature and development of the landscape

2. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY studies the record(history) of the physical and biologic

development on the earth

3. MINERALOGY is the study of physical and chemical properties of minerals.

4. PETROLOGY studies the characteristics and origin of rocks.

5. PETROGRAPHY focus on lab analysis and microscopic investigation of rocks.

6. PALEONTOLOGY is the study of ancient life.

7. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY focus on deformation of rocks.

8. STRATIGRAPHY studies the age relationships of rocks.

9. GEOMORPHOLOGY studies land forms.

that are of interest to industry or the economy in general. It is

concerned with the distribution of resources, the costs and benefits of

their recovery, and the value and availability of existing materials.

applied to the search for hydrocarbons (oil exploration).

MORE SPECIALIZED BRANCHES

GEOPHYSICS is also fundamental to the needs of society – it is essential for exploring

for energy, water, and mineral resources, monitoring environmental

impact and change and assessing natural and manmade hazards.

GEOCHEMISTRY is broadly concerned with the application of chemistry to virtually all

the propagation of seismic waves in geological materials.

VULCANOLOGY, also spelled vulcanology, discipline of the geologic sciences that is

concerned with all aspects of volcanic phenomena.

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