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Unit 0

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pl.butelezi
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UNIT 0

Geology Engineering (GEO3701)

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Dirk H. Wessels

Geology Engineering (GEO3701), an NQFL 7 module, is offered by the Department of Civil


Engineering as part of the advanced diploma programme. GEO3701 is an industry-oriented
module which deals with geological considerations in engineering works. Students who
complete this module successfully, will understand the impact which geology has on site
selection, investigation planning, project feasibility, design and the monitoring of engineering
works. It primarily addresses the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) graduate
attributes (GA) 2 and 4.
GEO3701 requires you, as an enrolled student, to have a sound knowledge of mathematics,
soil mechanics and static mechanics. The necessary background and formulations, which are
given in this study guide, provide crucial information which will enable you to carry out the
required analyses and designs.
The main purpose of this module is to furnish you with the necessary knowledge of
engineering geology, to allow you to identify geological factors that may have an impact on
proposed engineering works, and to specify focused, phased geotechnical investigation
requirements and testing programmes to obtain the critical target parameters for evaluation
and design. Qualifying students will be able to specify engineering geological investigation
requirements, conduct basic engineering geological investigations, and evaluate and apply
engineering geological data in engineering design. They will also be able to plan and execute
the management tasks involved in geotechnical work. To that end, you will be given the
necessary theoretical formulations and background to enable you to carry out numerous
analyses in everyday engineering.
The study guide is structured into ten units.
In Unit 1 we review mineralogy, primary rock-forming minerals, types of magma, Bowen’s
reaction series and the types of rock (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic), with practical
applications in everyday engineering.
Unit 2 serves as an introduction to structural geology, geological factors affecting the
behaviour or rock, plate tectonics, fundamental concepts (e.g., force, stress, deformation,
strain, rock strength), different behavioural models, the mechanism of joint formation, and the
basics on brittle and ductile structures.
Unit 3 deals with discontinuities and the properties of rock and rock masses. The importance
of scale of the problem or model, and crucial fundamentals (e.g., physical and mechanical
properties of rock, and discontinuities) are addressed, with worked examples of the application
of these concepts in everyday engineering.
In Unit 4 we emphasise the importance of geomorphology, the formation of soils, weathering,
erosion, land surface models, erosion protection, typical geotechnical constraints associated
with specific transportation modes and depositional environments, as well as potential
construction materials associated with specific landforms.
Unit 5 deals with the identification of geological hazards and problem soils, with typical
evaluation methods and mitigation measures. The module identifies relevant, readily
obtainable and reliable sources that will assist you with the identification and detailed
evaluation thereof.
Unit 6 deals with soil and rock parameters for design input. The importance of defining the
problem and expected outcome is emphasised, with an overview of ground actions, ground
responses and the induced effects of selected engineering works. Field and laboratory test
methods are introduced, through which to obtain the critical soil and rock parameters for
selected works, along with a number of worked examples for parameter identification in typical
geotechnical assessments.
Unit 7 serves as an introduction to geotechnical site investigations, and various codes and
standards for specific works. The unit investigates the different geotechnical categories based
on the complexity of the works/structure, investigation requirements, the planning of
geotechnical investigations and the design parameters to target during a site investigation,
and also offers guidance on field and laboratory test methods.
Unit 8 offers an introduction to engineering geophysics for the prospective engineer. You will
be introduced to reliable sources, the geophysical properties of materials, and selected
geophysical methods, with guidance on the selection and application of those methods.
Unit 9 offers an introduction to soil and rock slopes and cuts. Different modes of slope failure,
the concept of factor of safety, different strength criteria, site investigation, stability analysis
and methods, material parameters for design, and guidance in respect of stabilisation
measures, are provided. A number of worked examples are offered for everyday engineering
applications.
The last unit, Unit 10, introduces new concepts such as excavatability, aquifers, permeability
and material bulking, and focuses on the geological factors to consider in specific engineering
works such as open excavations, tunnels, reservoirs, dams and dam sites, as well as waste-
disposal sites. This unit illustrates the practical application of the fundamentals/concepts
introduced in learning units 1–9.

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