EOSC 434, Spring, 2015

Principles of Geological
Engineering

Instructor:
Oldrich Hungr, Room 255, Tel. 822-8471, E-
mail [email protected]

Teaching Assistant:
Andrew Mitchell, [email protected]
Learning goals of this course:
This course and its companion, EOSC 433 are meant to offer a transition between
specialized courses such as Geomorphology, Hydrogeology, Soil Mechanics and
Rock Mechanics and the range of knowledge the students will need in preparation
for their entry into practice.

The course will aim to learn how to apply this knowledge at engineering sites in
realistically complex geological environments.

As a senior level course, some of the material covered will be a review of

knowledge obtained in earlier classes. New material will be introduced as
necessary. My intent is to concentrate on those topics that are the most likely to be
useful to a young professional at the start of a career and to present these topics in
a way that is relevant to practice.

The course will emphasize engineering geology of unconsolidated deposits (“soils”)

and weak rocks. The companion course (EOSC 433) will deal mainly with rock
problems. However, there will be some intentional overlap between the two
courses.
Topics:
• A brief overview of the history of geological engineering and engineering
geology.
• Description of the roles of various professionals in an engineering project.
• A review of professional issues related to geological engineering such as
ethics and liability.
• Definition and use of geotechnical facies, to establish a relationship between
geological characteristics of a site and its likely engineering behaviour.
• A review of processes that modify soil characteristics.
• Problem soils - swelling, dispersive, collapsible soils. How to recognize and
treat them.
• Review of site investigation techniques from the point of view of a geological
engineer, ranging from simple surficial mapping and outcrop logging to
image interpretation, subsurface and in situ techniques.
• Review of slope stability analysis methods and special issues such as pore-
water pressure and selection of strength parameters. Presentation of
example case histories.
• Excavations-feasibility, safety, support requirements, dewatering.
• Landslide stabilization methods.
• Soft ground tunnels- a brief overview of basic techniques.
• Engineering geology of foundations.
• Sanitary and mining waste disposal, geotechnical issues and case histories.
• Basics of landslide hazard and risk management.
• Methods of debris flows and rock fall hazard assessment and control.
Practicalities:

1. Time/place
2. Course web site Username: eosc434
3. Textbook, references
4. Labs/assignments
5. Oral presentations
6. Marking
7. Questions
8. Introductions
Laboratories:
There will be several exercises, each due one week after introduction of the
assignment, unless indicated otherwise. Most of the “laboratory” time will be taken up
by student presentations (10 minutes each).

Student presentations (laboratory):

Each student in the class will prepare and deliver a 10 minute oral technical
presentation, supported by Powerpoint slides. The purpose of the presentations will
be to give the graduating students a chance to present a professional lecture to peers
and to conduct a discussion. The possible geotechnical or geoenvironmental topics for
the presentation can include:
- Some technical experience gained during work terms
- A summary of a research or design project
- A geo- problem observed somewhere around Vancouver
- A geo- topic studied by the author in the literature and briefly summarized

Important note: The student presentations will be delivered during the

lab period on Thursdays 16-18. All students are expected to attend the
presentations and participate in discussions. Each student must
submit a set of notes, summarizing each presentation, including the
related class discussion in a paragraph of approximately 200 words.
These notes will be marked pass/fail by the instructor.
 Attention: Use of overheads and attendance
in classes
All of my lectures will be delivered with the help of Powerpoint. All the
presentations will be available on the course web site
So, if all the material is on the web and in books, why attend classes?
Caution:
The presentations contain only essential notes and illustrative material.
They should enrich the narrative, but cannot really replace it. If you
are not in class, you may miss explanations, descriptions,
discussion and other stuff that is supposed to make you understand
the material. That is why we still have a physical university.
What should I do then?
1) Attend classes 2) keep your own notes 3) Ask questions, give
comments, interact with classmates, participate

Oldrich Hungr, January, 2015

Course grading:

Laboratories: 10%
Oral presentation, participation in class: 10%
Midterm Quizz: 15%
Final Exam: 65%
 What is Engineering?

A professional activity, involving

design.
The word "design" is understood as the
function of making specific and quantitative
plans for construction, corrective actions or
policy. Design may be concerned with civil or
mining projects, as well as environmental
protection and hazards management.
According to Canadian law, persons engaged
in engineering design should be registered
Professional Engineers (P.Eng.)
 What is Geological Engineering?
•Geological Engineering is the application of a combination of geology
and engineering science to design, involving rock, soil, groundwater and mineral
resources.

•Geotechnical Engineering is the application of the science of soil

mechanics, rock mechanics, engineering geology and other related disciplines to
engineering and environmental projects (after Morgenstern, 2000).

•Geo-environmental engineering is the application of a combination

of geology and engineering science to the solution of environmental problems.

•Engineering Geology is the application of geology to obtain information

and understanding of geological structures, materials and processes, as needed
for engineering analysis and design.

•Environmental geology is the application of geology to obtain

information and understanding of geological structures, materials and processes,
as needed for the solution of environmental problems.
(Please read Hungr, 2000: handout)
 Who is a Geological Engineer?

Honours Degree + 4 years experience.

Types:
- Civil Engineer with geotechnical option
(P.Eng.)
- Geological Engineer with geotechnical option
(P.Eng., P.Geo.)
- Geologist with extra courses and experience
(Engineering Gelogist, P.Geo)
IMPORTANT: see http://www.apeg.bc.ca/
Division of tasks:
Civil Engineer
-designs structure

Geotechnical/Geological,Geo-environmental Engineer
- carries out site investigation
- evaluates soil/rock properties
- carries out analysis
- provides geotechnical/geoenvironmental design recommendations

Engineering Geologist
- carries out site investigation and evaluates geological factors
- provides geological input for analysis
- assesses hazards and impact of geological processes
- prospects for materials
Geological Engineering: Other tasks:

•Environmental studies
•Groundwater exploration and development
•Aquifer protection
•Environmental cleanup
•Exploration and evaluation of mineral resources
•Mining production
•Geophysical exploration
…
Who employs geological engineers?
Owner
Site Engineer
Site Geotechnical Engineer / Engineering Geologist
Designer
Civil Engineers
Geotechnical Consultant
Civil Engineers
Geotechnical Engineers
Engineering Geologists
Site Investigation Contractor (UK)
Geotechnical Engineers
Engineering Geologists
Contractor
Civil Engineers
Government Agency
Civil Engineers
Geotechnical Engineers
Engineering Geologists
Specialist Consultant
Geotechnical Engineer / Engineering Geologist
 What does a geological engineer
do?
• Determines distribution of geological materials,
structures and groundwater (X - ray picture)

• Estimates or measures properties of materials

• Provides a quantitative or qualitative assessment of

geological processes

• Uses all the above information to give advice

regarding planning, design of projects and
environmental management
Which industries are served by
geological engineering?
Code of Ethics (in plain English)
1) Safety and environment is #1
2) Do only what you are qualified to do
3) Say only what you believe is true
4) Avoid conflict of interest
5) Insist on fair compensation
6) Keep up your expertise
7) Be honest, fair and courteous
8) Point out potential problems
9) Report bad things when you see them
10) Promote the profession (APEGBC Guidelines for
Professional Excellence, 1994)
 Legal issues:

See “Ten Commandments of Good Practice”

(pdf on web site)
1. Do not raise unrealistic expectations about your ability or the
merits of a project.
2. Inform client that you are not a guarantor of the work.
3. Have a good, written contract.
4. Do not play lawyer.
5. Check design and calculations. Enforce inspections.
6. Keep client advised: you are the consultant.
7. Keep client informed.
8. Maintain written records.
9. Do not certify what you have not seen.
10. Take caution before initiating a lawsuit.
 Contracts:
Terms of Engagement
(Please read handout by Singleton Urquhart, Scott, 1997)

Important points:
Termination – with 30 days notice
Environmental – will not deal with (also vice/versa)
Standard of service – customary
Limitations on liability
– exclude things out of your control
– limit to the amount of insurance available
– 2 year statute of limitation
Documents – not to be used for another project
Field services – as recommended by the Consultant
(you)
Basic Principles:
The Burland Triangle

John Burland, 1987, 2007

 Basic Principles:
The Burland Triangle, generalized

Geological
model

Field and lab

Analysis
observations

John Burland, 1987, 2007

 Common misconceptions:
1) A result backed by analysis is always superior to that based on
subjective judgment
2) A theory is reliable if all the mathematics is correct
3) A theory that is more complicated is always superior to that
which is simple
4) A theoretical (statistical) analysis can replace missing data
5) Complex field or remote sensing measurements are always
more reliable than simple observations
6) A good theory needs no calibration against field observations
7) “Unreliability” is caused only by the variation of the ground
(i.e. we are reliable, the ground is not)

“Quality control applied to an inappropriate analytical model

merely gurantees that we will not get the right result by accident”
(P. Vaughan, Imperial College)