Eng Geology
Eng Geology
Eng Geology
Engineering Geology
LECTURE NOTESR18
B. TECH
II YEAR – I SEM (Sec- A&B)
Academic Year 2020-21
MR.P.Ravi Kumar
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF CE
J.B.I.E.T
Bhaskar Nagar, Yenkapally(V), Moinabad(M),
Ranga Reddy(D), Hyderabad – 500 075, Telangana, India
Pg. 1
UNIT-I
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Definition:-
a. The science which deals with the physical structure and substance of the earth, their
history, and the processes which act on them.
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. 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.
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Physical Geology:
a. Physical Geology uses the scientific method to explain natural aspects of the Earth - for
example, how mountains form or why oil resources are concentrated in some rocks and not in
others.
b. This chapter briefly explains how and why Earth's surface, and its interior, is constantly
changing. It relates this constant change to the major geological topics of interaction of the
atmosphere, water and rock.
Petrology:-
a. Petrology is the branch of geology that studies the origin, composition, distribution and structure
of rocks.
b. “Lithology” was once approximately synonymous with petrography, but in current usage,
lithology focuses on macroscopic hand-sample or outcrop-scale description of rocks while
petrography is the specialty that deals with microscopic details.
Branches:
There are three 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).
Igneous rocks include volcanic and plutonic rocks.
2. Sedimentary petrology focuses on the composition and texture of sedimentary rocks (rocks
such as sandstone, shale.
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3. Metamorphic petrology focuses on the composition and texture of metamorphic 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).
4. Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock types, in a process called
metamorphism, which means "change in form". The original rock (protolith) is subjected to
heat (temperatures greater than 150 to 200 °C) causing profound physical and/or chemical
change.
Structural geology:
b.
Structural geology is the study of the three-dimensional distribution of rock units with
respect to their deformational histories.
Weathering of Rocks:
a. Weathering breaks down and loosens the surface minerals of rock so they can be transported
away by agents of erosion such as water, wind and ice.
1. Mechanical or physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soils through direct
contact with atmospheric conditions, such as heat, water, ice and pressure.
2. The second classification, chemical weathering involves the direct effect of atmospheric
chemicals or biologically produced chemicals also known as biological weathering in the
breakdown of rocks, soils and minerals.
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MINERALOGY
Introduction:
• A mineral is a naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic represent able by a
chemical formula, and has an ordered atomic structure.
b) Ore-forming minerals
The ore-forming minerals are to be understood in detail by the mining, Metallurgical and
Mineral Engineering professionals.
• There are over 4,900 known mineral species; over 4,660 of these have been approved by the
International Mineralogical Association (IMA).
Formation of minerals:
• Minerals are crystalline solid substances, meaning the atoms making up a mineral are
arranged in an ordered, three-dimensional, structure.
• The distances and angles between an individual atom and the neighbors it is bonded to are
constant.
• The process of mineral formation is known as crystallization. In order for a mineral to crystallize,
ions from the nearby environment must be brought together.
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• A second process of mineral formation occurs during cooling of a melt.
• Through a very similar mechanism, molten rock-forming liquids, known as magmas and lavas,
cool and crystallize to form minerals and thus rocks.
Study of minerals:
• Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation,
classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.
• As of 2004 there are over 4,000 species of minerals recognized by the IMA. Of these, perhaps
150 can be called "common," another 50 are "occasional," and the rest are "rare" to "extremely
rare."
Physical properties:
• The physical characteristics of minerals include traits which are used to identify and
describe mineral species. These traits include color, streak, luster, density, hardness,
cleavage, fracture, tenacity, and crystal
• Color .Cleavage
• Streak .Fracture
• Luster .Tenacity
• Density .Habit
• Hardness
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UNIT-II
PETROLOGY
Definition of rock:
I. the quartz, feldspar and biotite minerals. The Earth's outer solid layer, the
lithosphere, is made of rock.
c. Rocks have been used by mankind throughout history. From the Stone Age, rocks have been
used for tools. The minerals and metals found in rocks have been essential to human civilization.
d. Three major groups of rocks are defined: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic.
The scientific study of rocks is called petrology.
Crystallization:
• Dyke” and “sill” are geological terms used to describe an intrusion; usually a mass of igneous or
volcanic rocks that forcibly entered, penetrated, and embedded into layers of another rock or land
form. Dykes and sills are often.
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• A dike or dyke in geological usage is a sheet of rock that formed in a fracture in a
pre-existing rock body.
• However, when the new rock forms within and parallel to the bedding of a layers rock, it is
called a sill.
• It is a type of tabular or sheet intrusion, that either cuts across layers in a planar wall rock
structures, or into a layer or unlayered mass of rock.
• The texture of igneous rocks depends on the composition of the magma and the conditions
surrounding the magma’s cooling.
• The textures are different in intrusive, vein, and extrusive rocks. Intrusive ro cks are
characterized by
• The relationship between rock structure and texture and rock genesis is more pronounced
insedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks.
• Clastic rocks consist of detrital (clastic) grains of various sizes and shapes.
• The grains, which canbe angular, subrounded, or rounded, sometimes lie fre ely without
attachment.
• The structure of clastic rock, which depends on the mutual arrangement of th e grains, can be
random, laminar, or fluidal. With a random structure, the particles do not have an ordered
arrangement.
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Properties of rocks and Minerals:
Chemical
carbonate
Classification
Color usually white but also colorless, gray, red, green, blue, yellow, brown, orange
Streak white
Luster vitreous
Mohs Hardness 3
Chemical
CaCO3
Composition
acid neutralization, a low hardness abrasive, soil conditioner, heated for the
Uses
production of lime
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Physical Properties of Hematite
Chemical
oxide
Classification
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Color black to steel-gray to silver; red to reddish brown to black
Diaphaneity Opaque
Cleavage None
Mohs Hardness 5 to 6 ½
Diagnostic
red streak, specific gravity
Properties
Chemical
Fe2O3
Composition
the most important ore of iron, pigment, heavy media separation, radiation shielding,
ballast,
Uses
polishing compounds, a minor gemstone
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Physical Properties of Quartz
Chemical
silicate
Classification
Quartz occurs in virtually every color. Common colors are clear, white, gray, purple,
Color
yellow, brown, black, pink, green, red.
Streak colorless (harder than the streak plate)
Luster vitreous
Diaphaneity transparent to translucent
Cleavage none - typically breaks with a conchoidal fracture
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Mohs Hardness 7
Specific Gravity 2.6 to 2.7
Chemical SiO2
Composition
Uses glass making, abrasive, foundry sand, hydraulic fracturing proppant, gemstones
Diaphaneity opaque
Cleavage none
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Physical Properties of Fluorite
Chemical
halide
Classification
Color typically purple, green and yellow. Also colorless, blue, red and black.
Streak white
Luster vitreous
Mohs Hardness 4
Chemical
CaF2
Composition
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Physical Properties of Pyrite
Chemical
sulfide
Classification
Luster metallic
Diaphaneity opaque
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Cleavage breaks with a conchoidal fracture
Chemical
iron sulfide, FeS2
Composition
• The structures and textures of metamorphic rocks arise during the recrystalli zation in thesolid
state of primary sedimentary and magmatic rocks.
• The recrystallization occurs under the action of lithostatic pressure, tempera ture.
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GROUND WATER
DEFINITION:
• Groundwater (or ground water) is the water present beneath Earth's surface in soil pore spaces
and in the fractures of rock formations.
• A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable
quantity of water.
• The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock become completely saturated
with water is called the water table.
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USES:
• Groundwater is also often withdrawn for agricultural, municipal, and industrial use by
constructing and operating extraction wells.
SPRINGS:
• A spring is the result of an aquifer being filled to the point that the water overflows onto the land
surface.
• They range in size from intermittent seeps, which flow only after much rain, to huge pools
flowing hundreds of millions of gallons daily.
Types of springs:
• Seepage or filtration spring. The term seep refers to springs with small flow rates in which the
source water has filtered through permeable earth.
• Fracture springs, discharge from faults, joints, or fissures in the earth, in which springs have
followed a natural course of voids or weaknesses in the bedrock.
CONE OF DEPRESSION:
• In confined aquifers (artesian), the cone of depression is a reduction in the pressure head
surrounding the pumped well.
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DIFFERENCE:
• The size and shape (slope) of the cone of depression depends on many factors. The pumping rate
in the well will affect the size of the cone.
• Also, the type of aquifer material, such as whether the aquifer is sand, silt, fractured rocks etc.,
also will affect how far the cone extends.
• The amount of water in storage and the thickness of the aquifer also will determine the size and
shape of the cone of depression.
• As a well is pumped, the cone of depression will extend out and will continue to expand in a
radial fashion until a point of equilibrium occurs.
• This usually is when the amount of water released from storage equals the rate of pumping. This
also can occur when recharge to the aquifer equals the amount of water being pumped.
1.Confinedaquifer
2.Unconfined aquifer
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AQUIFERS
What is an aquifer???
• The study of water flow in aquifers and the characterization of aquifers is called hydrogeology.
• Geological material through which significant quantities of water can not move, located below
unconfined aquifers, above and below confined aquifers. Also known as a confining bed.
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Confined aquifer(artesian) :-
• Confined aquifers are those in which an impermeable dirt/rock layer exists that prevents water
from seeping into the aquifer from the ground surface located directly above.
• Unconfined aquifers are those into which water seeps from the ground surface directly above the
aquifer.
Unconfined aquifers:
• Natural recharge of the unconfined aquifers is mainly due to the downward seepage (or
percolation) through the unsaturated zone of the excess water over passing the field capacity of
the soil. Recharge can also occur through upward seepage (leakage) from underlying aquifers.
Confined aquifers:
• A regional confined aquifer is directly recharged by precipitation in the area where the aquifer
crops out, having the same characteristics as an unconfined aquifer.
INFILTRATION GALLERIES:
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• We have seen earlier that ground water travels towards lakes, rivers or streams. This water
which is travelling can be intercepted by digging a trench or by constructing a tunnel with
holes on sides at right angle to the direction of flow.
• These underground tunnel used for tapping underground water near rivers, lakes or streams
are called “INFILTRATION GALLERIES”.
Example:-
• Infiltration galleries can be used to collect sub-surface flow from rivers. Water is taken to a
collective well, or sump, and then pumped to a storage tank.
• Infiltration galleries vary in size, from a few meters feeding into spring box, to many kilometers
forming an integral part of unban water supply.
Construction of galleries:
• To ensure a continuous supply of water, infiltration galleries should be built in the end of dry
season and should be at least one meter under the dry season water table.
• Lay the pipe or drain blocks on top of the gravel. Cover the top and sides with more graded
gravel.
• Cap the gravel with an impermeable layer of clay to prevent surface water entering the
gallery.
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STRATIGRAPHY
Stratigraphy is a branch of geology which studies rock layers (strata) and layering
(stratification).
Created the first geologic map of England and first recognized the significance of strata or rock
layering and the importance of fossil markers for correlating strata.
1) Lithostratigraphy:
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Lithology:
The lithology of a rock unit is a description of its physical characteristics visible at outcrop,
in hand or core samples or with low magnification microscopy, such as colour, texture, grain
size, or composition.
2) Biostratigraphy:
Biologic stratigraphy was based on William Smith's principle of faunal succession, which
predated, and was one of the first and most powerful lines of evidence for, biological evolution.
Out crop:
• Outcrops do not cover everywhere on the surface of the earth, these are mostly covered with a
thick and thin layer called alluvium or most common language as soil.
• However, in places where the overlying cover is removed through erosion or tectonic uplift,
the rock may be exposed, or crop out.
• In fact in some areas the soil may spread over for thousands of square km and the bed block
may not be visible anywhere.
• As in the mountains and sub- mountains tracts, exposure of rocks may be easily seen
forming sides of valley or caps of hills.
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• Hence outcrop is simply defined as “An exposure of solid rock on the surface of the
rock”.
Strike :
Dip:
• It is defined as the max angle of inclination with the horizontal. It is expressed both in terms of
degree of inclination and direction of inclination.
• The amount of dip is called angle of inclination, which a bedding plane makes with a
horizontal plane.
True Dip:
• when the dip of the layer is measured in a direction that is essentially at right angles to the strike
of the particular layer, then It is called TRUE DIP.
Apparent Dip:
• When the dip of the layer is measured in any other direction which is not a right angles to the
strike direction is called APPARENT DIP.
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FOLDS
DEFINITION:
• Folds are one of the most common geological structures found in rocks. When a set of
horizontal layers are subjected to compressive forces, they bend either upwards or
downwards.
• Folds are described variously as wavy or arch or curvy types founds in rocks.
• In terms of nature too, folds may occur as single local bends or may occur repeatedly and
intricately folded according to the tectonic history of the region.
Types of FOLDS:
1. Symmetrical character.
3. Occurrence of plunge.
4. Bed thickness
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Anticline and Syncline:
• When beds are bent upwards, the resulting fold is called Anticline. This fold is convex upwards.
• Syncline is just opposite to anticline on its nature, when the beds are bent downwards the
resulting fold is called Syncline.
• When the axial plane divides a fold into two equal halves in such a way that one half is the
mirror image of another, then such fold is called Symmetrical fold.
• If the two halves are not mirror images, then the fold is called Asymmetrical fold. IF the
compressive forces responsible for folding are not of the same magnitude, asymmetrical folds
are formed.
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UNIT-III
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHY:
Stratigraphy is a branch of geology which studies rock layers (strata) and layering
(stratification).
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Application of stratigraphy was by William Smith in the 1790s and early 1800s.
Created the first geologic map of England and first recognized the significance of strata or rock
layering and the importance of fossil markers for correlating strata.
1) Lithostratigraphy:
Lithostratigraphy, or lithologic stratigraphy, provides the most obvious visible layering. It deals with
the physical contrasts in lithology, or rock type. Such layers can occur both vertically– in layering or
bedding of varying rock types.
Lithology:
The lithology of a rock unit is a description of its physical characteristics visible at outcrop, in
hand or core samples or with low magnification microscopy, such as color, texture, grain size, or
composition.
2) Biostratigraphy:
Biologic stratigraphy was based on William Smith's principle of faunal succession, which
predated, and was one of the first and most powerful lines of evidence for, biological evolution.
Out crop:
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• Outcrops do not cover everywhere on the surface of the earth, these are mostly covered
with a thick and thin layer called alluvium or most common language as soil.
• However, in places where the overlying cover is removed through erosion or tectonic uplift,
the rock may be exposed, or crop out.
• In fact in some areas the soil may spread over for thousands of square km and the bed block
may not be visible anywhere.
• As in the mountains and sub- mountains tracts, exposure of rocks may be easily seen
forming sides of valley or caps of hills.
• Hence outcrop is simply defined as “An exposure of solid rock on the surface of the
rock”.
Strike :
Dip:
• It is defined as the max angle of inclination with the horizontal. It is expressed both in terms of
degree of inclination and direction of inclination.
• The amount of dip is called angle of inclination, which a bedding plane makes with a
horizontal plane.
True Dip:
• when the dip of the layer is measured in a direction that is essentially at right angles to the strike
of the particular layer, then It is called TRUE DIP.
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Apparent Dip:
• When the dip of the layer is measured in any other direction which is not a right angles to the
strike direction is called APPARENT DIP.
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UNIT-IV
EARTH QUAKES
DEFINITION:
• A sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of
movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
• A sudden release of energy in the earth's crust or upper mantle, usually caused by movement
along a fault plane or by volcanic activity and resulting in the generation of seismic waves which
can be destructive.
Seismic Waves
• Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, and are a result of
an earthquake, explosion, or a volcano that gives out low-frequency acoustic energy.
• Seismic waves are studied by geophysicists called seismologists. Seismic wave fields are
recorded by a seismometer, hydrophone (in water), or accelerometer.ncy acoustic energy.
• The propagation velocity of the waves depends on density and elasticity of the medium.
• Velocity tends to increase with depth and ranges from approximately 2 to 8 km/s in the
Earth's crust, up to 13 km/s in the deep mantle.
• Earthquake with a focus depth less than 60km are called shallow earthquake.
• If the depth more than 60km but less than 300km, they are called Intermediate
earthquake.
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• Which have focus depth more than 300km, they are called Deep earthquake.
Based on the causes responsible for their occurrence, earthquakes are described as
Tectonic or non Tectonic.
• The Non Tectonic earthquake on the other hand, is generally due to external or surfacial
causes. This type of earthquake is very frequent, but minor in intensity and generaly not
destructive in nature.
Types:
Among the many types of seismic waves, one can make a broad distinction between body
waves and surface waves.
• Surface waves travel across the surface. Surface waves decay more slowly with distance than
do body waves, which travel in three dimensions.
• Primary waves are compressional waves that are longitudinal in nature. P waves are pressure
waves that travel faster than other waves through the earth to arrive at seismograph stations
first, hence the name "Primary".
• These waves can travel through any type of material, including fluids, and can travel at nearly
twice the speed of S waves. In air, they take the form of sound waves, hence they travel at the
speed of sound. Typical speeds are 330 m/s in air, 1450 m/s in water and about 5000 m/s in
granite.
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Secondary waves(S-Waves):
• Secondary waves (S-waves) are shear waves that are transverse in nature. Following an
earthquake event, S-waves arrive at seismograph stations after the faster-moving P-waves.
• S-waves can travel only through solids, as fluids (liquids and gases) do not support shear
stresses. S-waves are slower than P-waves, and speeds are typically around 60% of that of P-
waves in any given material.
• Seismic belts are those places where earthquakes occur frequently. Shield areas are those
places where earthquakes occur either rarely or very mildly.
• Statistics have revealed that nearly 50% of earthquakes have occurred along mountain ridges
and 40% of earthquakes along steep coasts.
• The study of recorded earthquakes shows that they take place on land most frequently along
two well-defined seismic belts.
2. Mediterranean belt accounts 21% of earthquake which extends east-west from Portugal,
Himalayas and Burma with a branch through Tibet and China.
RICHETER SCALE:
• The Richter magnitude scale (also Richter scale) assigns a magnitude number to
quantify the energy released by an earthquake.
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• The Richter scale, developed in the 1930s, is a base-10 logarithmic scale, which defines
magnitude as the logarithm of the ratio of the amplitude of the seismic waves to an arbitrary,
minor amplitude.
• In 1935, the seismologists Charles Francis Richter and Beno Gutenberg, of the California
Institute of Technology, developed the (future) Richter magnitude scale, specifically for
measuring earthquakes in a given area of study.
• The Richter scale was succeeded in the 1970s by the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS). This
is now the scale used by the United States Geological Survey to estimate magnitudes for all
modern large earthquakes.
• An Earthquake of magnitude 5 may cause damage within radius of 8km, but that of magnitude 7
may cause damage in a radius of 80km, and that of 8 over a radius of 250km.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
• Buildings should be Founded on hard bedrock only and never on loose soils or Fractured rocks,
this is because lose ground settles due to earthquake vibrations.
• Buildings situated in cuttings on hill slides, near sheet slopes always suffer more when an
earthquake occurs.
• For large Buildings, raft types of foundations are desirable. Square foundations are
more stable.
• Different parts of a building should be well tied together so that the whole structure behaves
like a single unit to the Vibrations.
• Buildings with irregular shapes with wings, Verandas, Porches and all structures should
be avoided.
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• Buildings should have RCC roofs and they should be designed not to yield to lateral stress.
• Resonance is the important factor, If the period of vibration of a structure is the same as that of
the foundation rock it will collapse because of the resonance effect.
• Therefore constructions in seismic and a seismic areas differ in terms of their design.
• So a civil engineer should only think of making his constructions immune to earthquakes.
BASICS OF A DAM:
a. In a way ,the success of dam is not only related to its own safety and stability but also
depends on the success of associated reservoirs.
b. If in a dam construction the dam stands firmly and the reservoir leaks , then the dam is to be
treated as a failure because the purpose for which it has been constructed has not been served.
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The important geological considerations in the selection of dam site are as follows:
a. To ensure the stability and safety of a dam, the dam has to rest on very strong and very
stable rocks(i.e bedrock).
b. If the bedrock is available at shallow depth then the cost for the foundation of dam is less.
c. If in any case the bedrock is at greater depth then the cost is high as it needs lot of excavation
and concrete filling.
d. Therefore to ensure the bedrock has actually reached bores should be drilled for 20’ or more
through the rocks.
f. If igneous rocks occur at the site selected for dam, then they will offer a safe foundation.
g. If sedimentary rocks occur like shale, poorly cemented sandstones and limestone then they
shall naturally be undesirable to serve as foundation rocks.
h. In metamorphic rocks the rocks like marbles, like quartzites can bear a granulose
structure and they are not porous and permeable, therefore metamorphic rocks are
unsuitable for dam sites.
i.
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DAMS AND RESERVOIRS AND THEIR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
DAMS
BENEFITS OF DAMS
1. Power generation
2. Water supply
4. Flood prevention
5. Land reclamation
7. Navigation
DISADVANTAGES OF DAMS
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RESERVOIR
The dams constructed across the rivers create artificial lakes which are known as reservoirs.
3. Traps sediments
4. Changes in temperature, chemical composition, dissolved oxygen levels and the physical
properties of a reservoir are often not suitable to the aquatic plants and animals.
5. Reservoirs often host non-native and invasive species (e.g. snails, algae, predatory fish)
7. Water quality
9. Problems of pollution
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CHANGES TO EARTH'S ROTATION
Nasa geophysicist Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao found evidence that large dams cause
changes to the earth's rotation, because of the shift of water weight from oceans to reservoirs.
Because of the number of dams which have been built, the Earth's daily rotation has apparently
sped up by eight-millionths of a second since the 1950s. Chao said it is the first time human
activity has been shown to have a measurable effect on the Earth's motion.
1. Earthquakes
2. Landslides
3. Tsunamis
4. Avalanches
5. Floods
6. Volcanoes
EARTHQUAKES
a. Earthquake is a sudden vibration that occurs on the surface of the earth with a release of large
amount of energy.
c. The point on the earth’s surface which lies vertically above the focus is known as
epicentre.
Classification of earthquakes
Earthquakes occurring due to surface causes due to volcanic causes due to tectonic causes.
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Based on depth of focus:
CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES
1. Tsunamis
2. Occurrence of landslides
3. Avalanches
4. Volcanic eruptions
5. Man-made explosions
6. Meteorites
LANDSLIDES
If a mass of earth or rock moves along a definite zone or surface the failure is called
as Landslide.
The foremost force responsible for the occurrence of landslide is due to the action of
gravity.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
Natural causes
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Human causes
TSUNAMI
2. Tsunamis are often called as tidal waves but this is not accurate description because tides have
little effect on giant tsunami waves.
VOLCANOES
A Volcano is a vent (hole) in the earth’s crust through which lava, steam, ashes and etc., are
expelled.
AVALANCHES
FLOODS
A Flood is an overflow of water that submerges the land which is usually dry.
EFFECTS OF GEOHAZARDS
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WATER TIGHTNESS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS WATER-
TIGHTNESS:
It is the process which is implemented after the effect of weathering in order to preventing the
leakage of water through fractured rock and bed rocks which are located below the surface and
covered with loose soil.
a.
If the dam is constructed without proper water-tightening, the impounded water in the
reservoir covers large area and percolates over it.
b.
Due to higher level of the water in reservoir, hydrostatic pressure is formed, which makes the
leakage of water more effective on sides and floor of the reservoir.
INFLUENCING FACTORS:
1.
Buried river channels
2.
Influence of rock type
3.
Influence of geological structures
4.
Scope of preventing leakage
5.
Influence of water table.
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WATER TIGHTNESS:
Water at the site of reservoir and dam tends to percolate to underground through fractures and
voids, this leakage may results in decrease in water level at reservoir so a reservoir must be made with
sufficient water tightness.
• Types of rocks
• Geological structures
• Water table
This is generally present as a glaciers below the surfaces it may not decrease the water tightness.
ROCK TYPE:
• Generally faults and fractures present in igneous and metamorphic rocks so rock used in
construction of reservoir should have less fractures
• Geological structures, water table and some other factors may not have much effect as
above.
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ELECTRICAL METHODS
INDEX :
• Electromagnetic method.
• The formation of electrical resistivites of sub-surface differ from one another if they are
homogenous.
1) Profiling
2) Sounding
In the principles of electromagnetic field an alternating magnetic field is formed in ground with
help of an appropriate source. The formed electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in conductive
ore bodies in sub-surface and these produces secondary electromagnetic fields. The magnetic element
of secondary electromagnetic field is examined at surface to find underground ore deposits.
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Important electromagnetic methods are
2) Enslin method
4) Sandburg method.
5) Turram method.
Self potential method is also known as spontaneous polarization method which is based on
electrical potentials naturally present in earth. Pyrite , Pyrhotieans sulphideores which indicates
spontaneous polarization. Apart from these graphite produces strong SP method.
• Exploration of petroleum.
• Finding highly conductive bodies such as sulphide ore bodies and graphite.
• Exploration of soil.
46
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
INTRODUCTION:
Creation of cavities in solid rock by mining, combustion of coal or dissolution of
soluble material
The removal of fluids (water or oil) from the pore spaces of unconsolidated
or poorly consolidated sediments
SUBSIDENCE:
47
DAMS
Dam is a solid barrier constructed at a suitable location across a river valley to store flowing
water and used for
• Hydropower
• Irrigation
TYPES OF DAMS
• Arch dam
• Gravity dam
• Buttress dam
• Earth dam
ARCH DAM:
• This type of dams are concrete dams which are curved or convex upstream in plan. It is
dependent upon the arch action for its strength.
• Arch dam is thinner and requires less material for construction compared to other dams.
48
GRAVITY DAM
• Gravity dams are the dams which resist the horizontal thrust of water entirely by their
own weight
• they use their weight to hold back the water in the reservoir
BUTTRESS DAM
• Buttress dams are dams in which the face is held up by a series of supports.
• Buttress dams can take many forms – the face may be flat or curved.
• Usually buttress dams are made of concrete and may be reinforced with steel bars.
EARTH DAMS
• Earth dams are constructed where the foundation rocks are weak to support
• Earth dams are relatively smaller in height and broad at the base
• They are mainly built with clay, sand and gravel. Hence they are also known as Earth
fill dam or Rock fill dam
49
DEFINITION:
• A sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of
movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
• A sudden release of energy in the earth's crust or upper mantle, usually caused by movement
along a fault plane or by volcanic activity and resulting in the generation of seismic waves which
can be destructive.
Seismic Waves
• Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, and are a result of
an earthquake, explosion, or a volcano that gives out low-frequency acoustic energy.
• Seismic waves are studied by geophysicists called seismologists. Seismic wave fields are
recorded by a seismometer, hydrophone (in water), or accelerometer.ncy acoustic energy.
• The propagation velocity of the waves depends on density and elasticity of the medium.
• Velocity tends to increase with depth and ranges from approximately 2 to 8 km/s in the
Earth's crust, up to 13 km/s in the deep mantle.
• Earthquake with a focus depth less than 60km are called shallow earthquake.
• If the depth more than 60km but less than 300km, they are called Intermediate
earthquake.
50
• Which have focus depth more than 300km, they are called Deep earthquake.
Based on the causes responsible for their occurrence, earthquakes are described as
Tectonic or non Tectonic.
• The Non Tectonic earthquake on the other hand, is generally due to external or surfacial
causes. This type of earthquake is very frequent, but minor in intensity and generaly not
destructive in nature.
Types:
Among the many types of seismic waves, one can make a broad distinction between body
waves and surface waves.
• Surface waves travel across the surface. Surface waves decay more slowly with distance than
do body waves, which travel in three dimensions.
• Primary waves are compressional waves that are longitudinal in nature. P waves are pressure
waves that travel faster than other waves through the earth to arrive at seismograph stations
first, hence the name "Primary".
• These waves can travel through any type of material, including fluids, and can travel at nearly
twice the speed of S waves. In air, they take the form of sound waves, hence they travel at the
speed of sound. Typical speeds are 330 m/s in air, 1450 m/s in water and about 5000 m/s in
granite.
51
Secondary waves(S-Waves):
• Secondary waves (S-waves) are shear waves that are transverse in nature. Following an
earthquake event, S-waves arrive at seismograph stations after the faster-moving P-waves.
• S-waves can travel only through solids, as fluids (liquids and gases) do not support shear
stresses. S-waves are slower than P-waves, and speeds are typically around 60% of that of P-
waves in any given material.
• Seismic belts are those places where earthquakes occur frequently. Shield areas are those
places where earthquakes occur either rarely or very mildly.
• Statistics have revealed that nearly 50% of earthquakes have occurred along mountain ridges
and 40% of earthquakes along steep coasts.
• The study of recorded earthquakes shows that they take place on land most frequently along
two well-defined seismic belts.
4. Mediterranean belt accounts 21% of earthquake which extends east-west from Portugal,
Himalayas and Burma with a branch through Tibet and China.
RICHETER SCALE:
• The Richter magnitude scale (also Richter scale) assigns a magnitude number to
quantify the energy released by an earthquake.
52
• The Richter scale, developed in the 1930s, is a base-10 logarithmic scale, which defines
magnitude as the logarithm of the ratio of the amplitude of the seismic waves to an arbitrary,
minor amplitude.
• In 1935, the seismologists Charles Francis Richter and Beno Gutenberg, of the California
Institute of Technology, developed the (future) Richter magnitude scale, specifically for
measuring earthquakes in a given area of study.
• The Richter scale was succeeded in the 1970s by the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS). This
is now the scale used by the United States Geological Survey to estimate magnitudes for all
modern large earthquakes.
• An Earthquake of magnitude 5 may cause damage within radius of 8km, but that of magnitude 7
may cause damage in a radius of 80km, and that of 8 over a radius of 250km.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
• Buildings should be Founded on hard bedrock only and never on loose soils or Fractured rocks,
this is because lose ground settles due to earthquake vibrations.
• Buildings situated in cuttings on hill slides, near sheet slopes always suffer more when an
earthquake occurs.
• For large Buildings, raft types of foundations are desirable. Square foundations are
more stable.
• Different parts of a building should be well tied together so that the whole structure behaves
like a single unit to the Vibrations.
• Buildings with irregular shapes with wings, Verandas, Porches and all structures should
be avoided.
53
• Buildings should have RCC roofs and they should be designed not to yield to lateral stress.
• Resonance is the important factor, If the period of vibration of a structure is the same as that of
the foundation rock it will collapse because of the resonance effect.
• Therefore constructions in seismic and a seismic areas differ in terms of their design.
• So a civil engineer should only think of making his constructions immune to earthquakes.
BASICS OF A DAM:
d. In a way ,the success of dam is not only related to its own safety and stability but also
depends on the success of associated reservoirs.
e. If in a dam construction the dam stands firmly and the reservoir leaks , then the dam is to be
treated as a failure because the purpose for which it has been constructed has not been served.
54
The important geological considerations in the selection of dam site are as follows:
j. To ensure the stability and safety of a dam, the dam has to rest on very strong and very
stable rocks(i.e bedrock).
k. If the bedrock is available at shallow depth then the cost for the foundation of dam is less.
l. If in any case the bedrock is at greater depth then the cost is high as it needs lot of excavation
and concrete filling.
m. Therefore to ensure the bedrock has actually reached bores should be drilled for 20’ or more
through the rocks.
o. If igneous rocks occur at the site selected for dam, then they will offer a safe foundation.
p. If sedimentary rocks occur like shale, poorly cemented sandstones and limestone then they
shall naturally be undesirable to serve as foundation rocks.
q. In metamorphic rocks the rocks like marbles, like quartzites can bear a granulose
structure and they are not porous and permeable, therefore metamorphic rocks are
unsuitable for dam sites.
r.
55
DAMS AND RESERVOIRS AND THEIR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
DAMS
BENEFITS OF DAMS
8. Power generation
9. Water supply
14. Navigation
DISADVANTAGES OF DAMS
56
RESERVOIR
The dams constructed across the rivers create artificial lakes which are known as reservoirs.
17. Changes in temperature, chemical composition, dissolved oxygen levels and the physical
properties of a reservoir are often not suitable to the aquatic plants and animals.
18. Reservoirs often host non-native and invasive species (e.g. snails, algae, predatory fish)
57
CHANGES TO EARTH'S ROTATION
Nasa geophysicist Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao found evidence that large dams cause
changes to the earth's rotation, because of the shift of water weight from oceans to reservoirs.
Because of the number of dams which have been built, the Earth's daily rotation has apparently
sped up by eight-millionths of a second since the 1950s. Chao said it is the first time human
activity has been shown to have a measurable effect on the Earth's motion.
7. Earthquakes
8. Landslides
9. Tsunamis
10. Avalanches
11. Floods
12. Volcanoes
EARTHQUAKES
d. Earthquake is a sudden vibration that occurs on the surface of the earth with a release of large
amount of energy.
f. The point on the earth’s surface which lies vertically above the focus is known as
epicentre.
Classification of earthquakes
Earthquakes occurring due to surface causes due to volcanic causes due to tectonic causes.
58
Based on depth of focus:
CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES
7. Tsunamis
8. Occurrence of landslides
9. Avalanches
12. Meteorites
LANDSLIDES
If a mass of earth or rock moves along a definite zone or surface the failure is called
as Landslide.
The foremost force responsible for the occurrence of landslide is due to the action of
gravity.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
Natural causes
59
Human causes
TSUNAMI
4. Tsunamis are often called as tidal waves but this is not accurate description because tides have
little effect on giant tsunami waves.
VOLCANOES
A Volcano is a vent (hole) in the earth’s crust through which lava, steam, ashes and etc., are
expelled.
AVALANCHES
FLOODS
A Flood is an overflow of water that submerges the land which is usually dry.
EFFECTS OF GEOHAZARDS
10. Increase in infectious diseases due to the pollution created by this hazards.
60
WATER TIGHTNESS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS WATER-
TIGHTNESS:
It is the process which is implemented after the effect of weathering in order to preventing the
leakage of water through fractured rock and bed rocks which are located below the surface and
covered with loose soil.
c.
If the dam is constructed without proper water-tightening, the impounded water in the
reservoir covers large area and percolates over it.
d.
Due to higher level of the water in reservoir, hydrostatic pressure is formed, which makes the
leakage of water more effective on sides and floor of the reservoir.
INFLUENCING FACTORS:
6.
Buried river channels
7.
Influence of rock type
8.
Influence of geological structures
9.
Scope of preventing leakage
10.
Influence of water table.
61
WATER TIGHTNESS:
Water at the site of reservoir and dam tends to percolate to underground through fractures and
voids, this leakage may results in decrease in water level at reservoir so a reservoir must be made with
sufficient water tightness.
• Types of rocks
• Geological structures
• Water table
This is generally present as a glaciers below the surfaces it may not decrease the water tightness.
ROCK TYPE:
• Generally faults and fractures present in igneous and metamorphic rocks so rock used in
construction of reservoir should have less fractures
• Geological structures, water table and some other factors may not have much effect as
above.
62
ELECTRICAL METHODS
INDEX :
• Electromagnetic method.
• The formation of electrical resistivites of sub-surface differ from one another if they are
homogenous.
1) Profiling
2) Sounding
In the principles of electromagnetic field an alternating magnetic field is formed in ground with
help of an appropriate source. The formed electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in conductive
ore bodies in sub-surface and these produces secondary electromagnetic fields. The magnetic element
of secondary electromagnetic field is examined at surface to find underground ore deposits.
63
Important electromagnetic methods are
7) Enslin method
9) Sandburg method.
Self potential method is also known as spontaneous polarization method which is based on
electrical potentials naturally present in earth. Pyrite , Pyrhotieans sulphideores which indicates
spontaneous polarization. Apart from these graphite produces strong SP method.
• Exploration of petroleum.
• Finding highly conductive bodies such as sulphide ore bodies and graphite.
• Exploration of soil.
64
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
INTRODUCTION:
Creation of cavities in solid rock by mining, combustion of coal or dissolution of
soluble material
The removal of fluids (water or oil) from the pore spaces of unconsolidated
or poorly consolidated sediments
SUBSIDENCE:
65
FOLDS
DEFINITION:
• Folds are one of the most common geological structures found in rocks. When a set of
horizontal layers are subjected to compressive forces, they bend either upwards or
downwards.
• Folds are described variously as wavy or arch or curvy types founds in rocks.
• In terms of nature too, folds may occur as single local bends or may occur repeatedly and
intricately folded according to the tectonic history of the region.
Types of FOLDS:
4. Symmetrical character.
6. Occurrence of plunge.
6. Bed thickness
66
Anticline and Syncline:
• When beds are bent upwards, the resulting fold is called Anticline. This fold is convex upwards.
• Syncline is just opposite to anticline on its nature, when the beds are bent downwards the
resulting fold is called Syncline.
• When the axial plane divides a fold into two equal halves in such a way that one half is the
mirror image of another, then such fold is called Symmetrical fold.
• If the two halves are not mirror images, then the fold is called Asymmetrical fold. IF the
compressive forces responsible for folding are not of the same magnitude, asymmetrical folds
are formed.
67
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHY:
Stratigraphy is a branch of geology which studies rock layers (strata) and layering
(stratification).
68
Application of stratigraphy was by William Smith in the 1790s and early 1800s.
Created the first geologic map of England and first recognized the significance of strata or rock
layering and the importance of fossil markers for correlating strata.
2) Lithostratigraphy:
Lithostratigraphy, or lithologic stratigraphy, provides the most obvious visible layering. It deals with
the physical contrasts in lithology, or rock type. Such layers can occur both vertically– in layering or
bedding of varying rock types.
Lithology:
The lithology of a rock unit is a description of its physical characteristics visible at outcrop, in
hand or core samples or with low magnification microscopy, such as color, texture, grain size, or
composition.
2) Biostratigraphy:
Biologic stratigraphy was based on William Smith's principle of faunal succession, which
predated, and was one of the first and most powerful lines of evidence for, biological evolution.
Out crop:
69
• Outcrops do not cover everywhere on the surface of the earth, these are mostly covered
with a thick and thin layer called alluvium or most common language as soil.
• However, in places where the overlying cover is removed through erosion or tectonic uplift,
the rock may be exposed, or crop out.
• In fact in some areas the soil may spread over for thousands of square km and the bed block
may not be visible anywhere.
• As in the mountains and sub- mountains tracts, exposure of rocks may be easily seen
forming sides of valley or caps of hills.
• Hence outcrop is simply defined as “An exposure of solid rock on the surface of the
rock”.
Strike :
Dip:
• It is defined as the max angle of inclination with the horizontal. It is expressed both in terms of
degree of inclination and direction of inclination.
• The amount of dip is called angle of inclination, which a bedding plane makes with a
horizontal plane.
True Dip:
• when the dip of the layer is measured in a direction that is essentially at right angles to the strike
of the particular layer, then It is called TRUE DIP.
70
Apparent Dip:
• When the dip of the layer is measured in any other direction which is not a right angles to the
strike direction is called APPARENT DIP.
71
UNIT-V
TUNNELS
DEFINITION:
• A sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of
movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
• A sudden release of energy in the earth's crust or upper mantle, usually caused by movement
along a fault plane or by volcanic activity and resulting in the generation of seismic waves which
can be destructive.
Seismic Waves
• Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, and are a result of
an earthquake, explosion, or a volcano that gives out low-frequency acoustic energy.
• Seismic waves are studied by geophysicists called seismologists. Seismic wave fields are
recorded by a seismometer, hydrophone (in water), or accelerometer.ncy acoustic energy.
• The propagation velocity of the waves depends on density and elasticity of the medium.
• Velocity tends to increase with depth and ranges from approximately 2 to 8 km/s in the
Earth's crust, up to 13 km/s in the deep mantle.
• Earthquake with a focus depth less than 60km are called shallow earthquake.
• If the depth more than 60km but less than 300km, they are called Intermediate
earthquake.
72
• Which have focus depth more than 300km, they are called Deep earthquake.
Based on the causes responsible for their occurrence, earthquakes are described as
Tectonic or non Tectonic.
• The Non Tectonic earthquake on the other hand, is generally due to external or surfacial
causes. This type of earthquake is very frequent, but minor in intensity and generaly not
destructive in nature.
Types:
Among the many types of seismic waves, one can make a broad distinction between body
waves and surface waves.
• Surface waves travel across the surface. Surface waves decay more slowly with distance than
do body waves, which travel in three dimensions.
• Primary waves are compressional waves that are longitudinal in nature. P waves are pressure
waves that travel faster than other waves through the earth to arrive at seismograph stations
first, hence the name "Primary".
• These waves can travel through any type of material, including fluids, and can travel at nearly
twice the speed of S waves. In air, they take the form of sound waves, hence they travel at the
speed of sound. Typical speeds are 330 m/s in air, 1450 m/s in water and about 5000 m/s in
granite.
73
Secondary waves(S-Waves):
• Secondary waves (S-waves) are shear waves that are transverse in nature. Following an
earthquake event, S-waves arrive at seismograph stations after the faster-moving P-waves.
• S-waves can travel only through solids, as fluids (liquids and gases) do not support shear
stresses. S-waves are slower than P-waves, and speeds are typically around 60% of that of P-
waves in any given material.
• Seismic belts are those places where earthquakes occur frequently. Shield areas are those
places where earthquakes occur either rarely or very mildly.
• Statistics have revealed that nearly 50% of earthquakes have occurred along mountain ridges
and 40% of earthquakes along steep coasts.
• The study of recorded earthquakes shows that they take place on land most frequently along
two well-defined seismic belts.
6. Mediterranean belt accounts 21% of earthquake which extends east-west from Portugal,
Himalayas and Burma with a branch through Tibet and China.
RICHETER SCALE:
• The Richter magnitude scale (also Richter scale) assigns a magnitude number to
quantify the energy released by an earthquake.
74
• The Richter scale, developed in the 1930s, is a base-10 logarithmic scale, which defines
magnitude as the logarithm of the ratio of the amplitude of the seismic waves to an arbitrary,
minor amplitude.
• In 1935, the seismologists Charles Francis Richter and Beno Gutenberg, of the California
Institute of Technology, developed the (future) Richter magnitude scale, specifically for
measuring earthquakes in a given area of study.
• The Richter scale was succeeded in the 1970s by the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS). This
is now the scale used by the United States Geological Survey to estimate magnitudes for all
modern large earthquakes.
• An Earthquake of magnitude 5 may cause damage within radius of 8km, but that of magnitude 7
may cause damage in a radius of 80km, and that of 8 over a radius of 250km.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
• Buildings should be Founded on hard bedrock only and never on loose soils or Fractured rocks,
this is because lose ground settles due to earthquake vibrations.
• Buildings situated in cuttings on hill slides, near sheet slopes always suffer more when an
earthquake occurs.
• For large Buildings, raft types of foundations are desirable. Square foundations are
more stable.
• Different parts of a building should be well tied together so that the whole structure behaves
like a single unit to the Vibrations.
• Buildings with irregular shapes with wings, Verandas, Porches and all structures should
be avoided.
75
• Buildings should have RCC roofs and they should be designed not to yield to lateral stress.
• Resonance is the important factor, If the period of vibration of a structure is the same as that of
the foundation rock it will collapse because of the resonance effect.
• Therefore constructions in seismic and a seismic areas differ in terms of their design.
• So a civil engineer should only think of making his constructions immune to earthquakes.
BASICS OF A DAM:
g. In a way ,the success of dam is not only related to its own safety and stability but also
depends on the success of associated reservoirs.
h. If in a dam construction the dam stands firmly and the reservoir leaks , then the dam is to be
treated as a failure because the purpose for which it has been constructed has not been served.
76
The important geological considerations in the selection of dam site are as follows:
s. To ensure the stability and safety of a dam, the dam has to rest on very strong and very
stable rocks(i.e bedrock).
t. If the bedrock is available at shallow depth then the cost for the foundation of dam is less.
u. If in any case the bedrock is at greater depth then the cost is high as it needs lot of excavation
and concrete filling.
v. Therefore to ensure the bedrock has actually reached bores should be drilled for 20’ or more
through the rocks.
x. If igneous rocks occur at the site selected for dam, then they will offer a safe foundation.
y. If sedimentary rocks occur like shale, poorly cemented sandstones and limestone then they
shall naturally be undesirable to serve as foundation rocks.
z. In metamorphic rocks the rocks like marbles, like quartzites can bear a granulose
structure and they are not porous and permeable, therefore metamorphic rocks are
unsuitable for dam sites.
77
DAMS AND RESERVOIRS AND THEIR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
DAMS
BENEFITS OF DAMS
21. Navigation
DISADVANTAGES OF DAMS
78
RESERVOIR
The dams constructed across the rivers create artificial lakes which are known as reservoirs.
30. Changes in temperature, chemical composition, dissolved oxygen levels and the physical
properties of a reservoir are often not suitable to the aquatic plants and animals.
31. Reservoirs often host non-native and invasive species (e.g. snails, algae, predatory fish)
79
CHANGES TO EARTH'S ROTATION
Nasa geophysicist Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao found evidence that large dams cause
changes to the earth's rotation, because of the shift of water weight from oceans to reservoirs.
Because of the number of dams which have been built, the Earth's daily rotation has apparently
sped up by eight-millionths of a second since the 1950s. Chao said it is the first time human
activity has been shown to have a measurable effect on the Earth's motion.
13. Earthquakes
14. Landslides
15. Tsunamis
16. Avalanches
17. Floods
18. Volcanoes
EARTHQUAKES
g. Earthquake is a sudden vibration that occurs on the surface of the earth with a release of large
amount of energy.
i. The point on the earth’s surface which lies vertically above the focus is known as
epicentre.
Classification of earthquakes
Earthquakes occurring due to surface causes due to volcanic causes due to tectonic causes.
80
Based on depth of focus:
CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES
13. Tsunamis
15. Avalanches
18. Meteorites
LANDSLIDES
If a mass of earth or rock moves along a definite zone or surface the failure is called
as Landslide.
The foremost force responsible for the occurrence of landslide is due to the action of
gravity.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
Natural causes
81
Human causes
TSUNAMI
6. Tsunamis are often called as tidal waves but this is not accurate description because tides have
little effect on giant tsunami waves.
VOLCANOES
A Volcano is a vent (hole) in the earth’s crust through which lava, steam, ashes and etc., are
expelled.
AVALANCHES
FLOODS
A Flood is an overflow of water that submerges the land which is usually dry.
EFFECTS OF GEOHAZARDS
14. Loss of communication such as road, rail, water and air transportation.
15. Increase in infectious diseases due to the pollution created by this hazards.
82
WATER TIGHTNESS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS WATER-
TIGHTNESS:
It is the process which is implemented after the effect of weathering in order to preventing the
leakage of water through fractured rock and bed rocks which are located below the surface and
covered with loose soil.
e.
If the dam is constructed without proper water-tightening, the impounded water in the
reservoir covers large area and percolates over it.
f.
Due to higher level of the water in reservoir, hydrostatic pressure is formed, which makes the
leakage of water more effective on sides and floor of the reservoir.
INFLUENCING FACTORS:
11.
Buried river channels
12.
Influence of rock type
13.
Influence of geological structures
14.
Scope of preventing leakage
15.
Influence of water table.
83
WATER TIGHTNESS:
Water at the site of reservoir and dam tends to percolate to underground through fractures and
voids, this leakage may results in decrease in water level at reservoir so a reservoir must be made with
sufficient water tightness.
• Types of rocks
• Geological structures
• Water table
This is generally present as a glaciers below the surfaces it may not decrease the water tightness.
ROCK TYPE:
• Generally faults and fractures present in igneous and metamorphic rocks so rock used in
construction of reservoir should have less fractures
• Geological structures, water table and some other factors may not have much effect as
above.
84
ELECTRICAL METHODS
INDEX :
• Electromagnetic method.
• The formation of electrical resistivites of sub-surface differ from one another if they are
homogenous.
1) Profiling
2) Sounding
In the principles of electromagnetic field an alternating magnetic field is formed in ground with
help of an appropriate source. The formed electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in conductive
ore bodies in sub-surface and these produces secondary electromagnetic fields. The magnetic element
of secondary electromagnetic field is examined at surface to find underground ore deposits.
85
Important electromagnetic methods are
Self potential method is also known as spontaneous polarization method which is based on
electrical potentials naturally present in earth. Pyrite , Pyrhotieans sulphideores which indicates
spontaneous polarization. Apart from these graphite produces strong SP method.
• Exploration of petroleum.
• Finding highly conductive bodies such as sulphide ore bodies and graphite.
• Exploration of soil.
86
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
INTRODUCTION:
Creation of cavities in solid rock by mining, combustion of coal or dissolution of
soluble material
The removal of fluids (water or oil) from the pore spaces of unconsolidated
or poorly consolidated sediments
SUBSIDENCE:
87
DAMS
Dam is a solid barrier constructed at a suitable location across a river valley to store flowing
water and used for
• Hydropower
• Irrigation
TYPES OF DAMS
• Arch dam
• Gravity dam
• Buttress dam
• Earth dam
ARCH DAM:
• This type of dams are concrete dams which are curved or convex upstream in plan. It is
dependent upon the arch action for its strength.
• Arch dam is thinner and requires less material for construction compared to other dams.
88
GRAVITY DAM
• Gravity dams are the dams which resist the horizontal thrust of water entirely by their
own weight
• they use their weight to hold back the water in the reservoir
BUTTRESS DAM
• Buttress dams are dams in which the face is held up by a series of supports.
• Buttress dams can take many forms – the face may be flat or curved.
• Usually buttress dams are made of concrete and may be reinforced with steel bars.
EARTH DAMS
• Earth dams are constructed where the foundation rocks are weak to support
• Earth dams are relatively smaller in height and broad at the base
• They are mainly built with clay, sand and gravel. Hence they are also known as Earth
fill dam or Rock fill dam
89
Secondary waves(S-Waves):
• Secondary waves (S-waves) are shear waves that are transverse in nature. Following an
earthquake event, S-waves arrive at seismograph stations after the faster-moving P-waves.
• S-waves can travel only through solids, as fluids (liquids and gases) do not support shear
stresses. S-waves are slower than P-waves, and speeds are typically around 60% of that of P-
waves in any given material.
• Seismic belts are those places where earthquakes occur frequently. Shield areas are those
places where earthquakes occur either rarely or very mildly.
• Statistics have revealed that nearly 50% of earthquakes have occurred along mountain ridges
and 40% of earthquakes along steep coasts.
• The study of recorded earthquakes shows that they take place on land most frequently along
two well-defined seismic belts.
8. Mediterranean belt accounts 21% of earthquake which extends east-west from Portugal,
Himalayas and Burma with a branch through Tibet and China.
RICHETER SCALE:
• The Richter magnitude scale (also Richter scale) assigns a magnitude number to
quantify the energy released by an earthquake.
90
• The Richter scale, developed in the 1930s, is a base-10 logarithmic scale, which defines
magnitude as the logarithm of the ratio of the amplitude of the seismic waves to an arbitrary,
minor amplitude.
• In 1935, the seismologists Charles Francis Richter and Beno Gutenberg, of the California
Institute of Technology, developed the (future) Richter magnitude scale, specifically for
measuring earthquakes in a given area of study.
• The Richter scale was succeeded in the 1970s by the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS). This
is now the scale used by the United States Geological Survey to estimate magnitudes for all
modern large earthquakes.
• An Earthquake of magnitude 5 may cause damage within radius of 8km, but that of magnitude 7
may cause damage in a radius of 80km, and that of 8 over a radius of 250km.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
• Buildings should be Founded on hard bedrock only and never on loose soils or Fractured rocks,
this is because lose ground settles due to earthquake vibrations.
• Buildings situated in cuttings on hill slides, near sheet slopes always suffer more when an
earthquake occurs.
• For large Buildings, raft types of foundations are desirable. Square foundations are
more stable.
• Different parts of a building should be well tied together so that the whole structure behaves
like a single unit to the Vibrations.
• Buildings with irregular shapes with wings, Verandas, Porches and all structures should
be avoided.
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• Buildings should have RCC roofs and they should be designed not to yield to lateral stress.
• Resonance is the important factor, If the period of vibration of a structure is the same as that of
the foundation rock it will collapse because of the resonance effect.
• Therefore constructions in seismic and a seismic areas differ in terms of their design.
• So a civil engineer should only think of making his constructions immune to earthquakes.
BASICS OF A DAM:
j. In a way ,the success of dam is not only related to its own safety and stability but also
depends on the success of associated reservoirs.
k. If in a dam construction the dam stands firmly and the reservoir leaks , then the dam is to be
treated as a failure because the purpose for which it has been constructed has not been served.
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The important geological considerations in the selection of dam site are as follows:
aa. To ensure the stability and safety of a dam, the dam has to rest on very strong and very
stable rocks(i.e bedrock).
bb. If the bedrock is available at shallow depth then the cost for the foundation of dam is less.
cc. If in any case the bedrock is at greater depth then the cost is high as it needs lot of excavation
and concrete filling.
dd. Therefore to ensure the bedrock has actually reached bores should be drilled for 20’ or more
through the rocks.
ff. If igneous rocks occur at the site selected for dam, then they will offer a safe foundation.
gg. If sedimentary rocks occur like shale, poorly cemented sandstones and limestone then they
shall naturally be undesirable to serve as foundation rocks.
hh. In metamorphic rocks the rocks like marbles, like quartzites can bear a granulose
structure and they are not porous and permeable, therefore metamorphic rocks are
unsuitable for dam sites.
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DAMS AND RESERVOIRS AND THEIR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
DAMS
BENEFITS OF DAMS
28. Navigation
DISADVANTAGES OF DAMS
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RESERVOIR
The dams constructed across the rivers create artificial lakes which are known as reservoirs.
43. Changes in temperature, chemical composition, dissolved oxygen levels and the physical
properties of a reservoir are often not suitable to the aquatic plants and animals.
44. Reservoirs often host non-native and invasive species (e.g. snails, algae, predatory fish)
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CHANGES TO EARTH'S ROTATION
Nasa geophysicist Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao found evidence that large dams cause
changes to the earth's rotation, because of the shift of water weight from oceans to reservoirs.
Because of the number of dams which have been built, the Earth's daily rotation has apparently
sped up by eight-millionths of a second since the 1950s. Chao said it is the first time human
activity has been shown to have a measurable effect on the Earth's motion.
19. Earthquakes
20. Landslides
21. Tsunamis
22. Avalanches
23. Floods
24. Volcanoes
EARTHQUAKES
j. Earthquake is a sudden vibration that occurs on the surface of the earth with a release of large
amount of energy.
l. The point on the earth’s surface which lies vertically above the focus is known as
epicentre.
Classification of earthquakes
Earthquakes occurring due to surface causes due to volcanic causes due to tectonic causes.
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Based on depth of focus:
CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES
19. Tsunamis
21. Avalanches
24. Meteorites
LANDSLIDES
If a mass of earth or rock moves along a definite zone or surface the failure is called
as Landslide.
The foremost force responsible for the occurrence of landslide is due to the action of
gravity.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
Natural causes
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Human causes
TSUNAMI
8. Tsunamis are often called as tidal waves but this is not accurate description because tides have
little effect on giant tsunami waves.
VOLCANOES
A Volcano is a vent (hole) in the earth’s crust through which lava, steam, ashes and etc., are
expelled.
AVALANCHES
FLOODS
A Flood is an overflow of water that submerges the land which is usually dry.
EFFECTS OF GEOHAZARDS
19. Loss of communication such as road, rail, water and air transportation.
20. Increase in infectious diseases due to the pollution created by this hazards.
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WATER TIGHTNESS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS WATER-
TIGHTNESS:
It is the process which is implemented after the effect of weathering in order to preventing the
leakage of water through fractured rock and bed rocks which are located below the surface and
covered with loose soil.
g.
If the dam is constructed without proper water-tightening, the impounded water in the
reservoir covers large area and percolates over it.
h.
Due to higher level of the water in reservoir, hydrostatic pressure is formed, which makes the
leakage of water more effective on sides and floor of the reservoir.
INFLUENCING FACTORS:
16.
Buried river channels
17.
Influence of rock type
18.
Influence of geological structures
19.
Scope of preventing leakage
20.
Influence of water table.
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WATER TIGHTNESS:
Water at the site of reservoir and dam tends to percolate to underground through fractures and
voids, this leakage may results in decrease in water level at reservoir so a reservoir must be made with
sufficient water tightness.
• Types of rocks
• Geological structures
• Water table
This is generally present as a glaciers below the surfaces it may not decrease the water tightness.
ROCK TYPE:
• Generally faults and fractures present in igneous and metamorphic rocks so rock used in
construction of reservoir should have less fractures
• Geological structures, water table and some other factors may not have much effect as
above.
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ELECTRICAL METHODS
INDEX :
• Electromagnetic method.
• The formation of electrical resistivites of sub-surface differ from one another if they are
homogenous.
1) Profiling
2) Sounding
In the principles of electromagnetic field an alternating magnetic field is formed in ground with
help of an appropriate source. The formed electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in conductive
ore bodies in sub-surface and these produces secondary electromagnetic fields. The magnetic element
of secondary electromagnetic field is examined at surface to find underground ore deposits.
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Important electromagnetic methods are
Self potential method is also known as spontaneous polarization method which is based on
electrical potentials naturally present in earth. Pyrite , Pyrhotieans sulphideores which indicates
spontaneous polarization. Apart from these graphite produces strong SP method.
• Exploration of petroleum.
• Finding highly conductive bodies such as sulphide ore bodies and graphite.
• Exploration of soil.
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GROUND SUBSIDENCE
INTRODUCTION:
Creation of cavities in solid rock by mining, combustion of coal or dissolution of
soluble material
The removal of fluids (water or oil) from the pore spaces of unconsolidated
or poorly consolidated sediments
SUBSIDENCE:
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DAMS
Dam is a solid barrier constructed at a suitable location across a river valley to store flowing
water and used for
• Hydropower
• Irrigation
TYPES OF DAMS
• Arch dam
• Gravity dam
• Buttress dam
• Earth dam
ARCH DAM:
• This type of dams are concrete dams which are curved or convex upstream in plan. It is
dependent upon the arch action for its strength.
• Arch dam is thinner and requires less material for construction compared to other dams.
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GRAVITY DAM
• Gravity dams are the dams which resist the horizontal thrust of water entirely by their
own weight
• they use their weight to hold back the water in the reservoir
BUTTRESS DAM
• Buttress dams are dams in which the face is held up by a series of supports.
• Buttress dams can take many forms – the face may be flat or curved.
• Usually buttress dams are made of concrete and may be reinforced with steel bars.
EARTH DAMS
• Earth dams are constructed where the foundation rocks are weak to support
• Earth dams are relatively smaller in height and broad at the base
• They are mainly built with clay, sand and gravel. Hence they are also known as Earth
fill dam or Rock fill dam
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