Draft Copy

Pokhara University
Faculty of Science and Technology

Course No.: GTE 150 (3 Credits) Full marks: 100

Course title: Engineering Geology (3-0-2) Pass marks: 45
Nature of the course: Theory, Practical, and Field survey Total lectures: 45 hrs
Level: Bachelor Program: BE

1. Course Description
This course intends to enable the students to be acquainted with unique understanding of the
ground and geological processes, making them crucial to all construction and infrastructure
projects so that it provides sound knowledge to develop an understanding of the principles
and practice of engineering geology in the context of civil engineering. It would be helpful
for them to understand how to identify the different types of rocks, minerals, geological
structures, geological processes and their impacts on engineering structures. Furthermore, the
course will help students to know about geological setting of Himalaya, geological structures
for development of infrastructures.

2. General Objectives
This course has been designed to provide basic knowledge of geology to the students of civil
engineering. After successful completion of this course the students will be able:
 To identify different types of rocks and their significance
 To understand the various natural dynamic processes and their influence on the
surficial features, natural material and their consequences
 To develop skills on geological interpretation for engineering structures and natural
phenomena.
 To enhance the knowledge on hydro-geology, engineering geology, geological setting
of the Himalaya.
 To develop the skill for the site investigation for the construction of various
engineering infrastructures.
3. Methods of Instruction
Lecture, Tutorial, Discussion, Practical work in laboratory, and field study

4. Contents in Detail

Specific Objectives Contents

Introduces geology andUnit I: Introduction to Engineering geology (2 hrs)
engineering geology,
1.1 Introduction of Geology and Engineering Geology
different branches of geology
1.2 Different branches of geology and their interrelations
and its scope in the field of
1.3 Scope, objective and importance of geology in civil engineering
civil engineering 1.4 Engineering Geological System (EGS)
Define the internal structure
Unit II: Structure of Earth (3 hrs)
of earth and the mobility of
2.1 Internal structure of the Earth
plates that forms Himalayas
2.2 Plate tectonics and mountain building process
2.3 Formation of Himalayas
Know and understand rock Unit III: Mineralogy (3 hrs)

1
 forming minerals and their 3.1 Introduction of minerals and crystal morphology
engineering significance 3.2 Physical properties of minerals
3.3 Rock forming minerals and their engineering significance
Enhance to knowledge on Unit IV: Petrology (5 hrs)
different types of rocks and 4.1 Petrographic classification of rocks and rock cycle
their characteristics. 4.2 Introduction, classification, structure, texture, uses and
engineering significance of igneous rock, sedimentary rock and
metamorphic rock
4.3 Identification criteria of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous
rock in the field.
Classify the main Unit V: Structural geology (7 hrs)
geological features and 5.1 Attitude / orientation of geological structures, stratification, rock
identity the problem related mass discontinuities (Dip, Strike, Plunge, and Trend)
to it. Measure the different 5.2 Study of folds faults, joint and unconformity
types of geological data for 5.3 Identification criteria of geological structures in the field
rock mass classification. 5.4 Rock deformation and its effect on engineering infrastructures
5.5 Study of rock mass (classification, Rock Mass Rating (RMR),
Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) system, and Geological
Strength Index (GSI)
5.6 Kinematic analysis of discontinuity for slope stability analysis
using stereographic projection and Hoek-Brown failure criterion
Provide broad concept of Unit VI: Geomorphology; and geological hazards (7 hrs)
various landforms, various 6.1 Various landforms produced by various geological agents
earth processes and (running water, glacier, seawater, wind, and ground water)
development of various 6.2 Study of earth processes (Weathering, erosion, subsidence, mass
surfaces of the earth wasting, volcanism, Earthquake, flood, liquefaction, Glacial Lake
Outburst Flood (GLOF), and the effect on development of surfaces of
the earth
Familiarize the basics of the Unit VII: Hydrogeology (4 hrs)
subsurface water problem 7.1 River channel morphology
and its engineering 7.2 Introduction of aquifer and ground water movement
implications. 7.3 Mechanism of spring water engineering and significance of sub-
surface water movement
7.4 Artificial recharging and aquifer system in the context of Nepal
Enhance the knowledge on Unit VIII: Site Investigation (8 hrs)
site investigation and 8.1 Elements of an investigation, types of site investigation (Direct
interpretation of different and Indirect methods)
maps for site investigation 8.2 Study of topographic, geological and engineering geological
maps, satellite imagery, and Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) image
8.3 Geological investigation for dam, reservoir, road, building,
bridges and underground excavation.
8.4 Introduction of bore hole drilling, logging, sampling; and bore
hole problems
Get familiar with the major Unit IX: Geology of Nepal (3 hrs)
geology of the Nepal 9.1 Geological subdivision of the Nepal Himalaya
Himalaya with their 9.2 Engineering geological problem of each geological division of
engineering significance. Nepal
9.3 Major rock type, Soil type, construction material found at the
different zones of Nepal

2
 Explain the concept of Unit X: Study of Reserve Estimation of Construction material (3
reserve estimation methods. hrs)
10.1 Types of reserves
10.2 Methods of estimation of reserve
10.3 Role of different types of maps for construction material survey

5 Tutorials
The following tutorial activities of 15 hours per group of maximum 24 students should be
conducted to cover all the required contents of this course:

SN Topics
1 Study drawings of various geological structure
2 Solve the bore hole/three-point problems
3 Stereographic projection (plane and pole)
4 Kinematic analysis of slope stability (stereographic projection and Hoek-Brown
failure criteria)
5 Interpretation of topographical, geological and engineering geological maps

6 Practical Works (15 hours for a group of maximum 24 students)

SN Topics
1 To identify the rock forming minerals
2 To identify the rocks (Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic)
3 Interpretation of topographic, geomorphologic and geologic maps
4 Understanding geological implications in engineering project siting, design and
construction.
5 Preparation of engineering geological map

A three-day fieldwork to provide practical on-site knowledge on preparation and

interpretation of engineering geological mapping (Petrology, Structural geology, active faults,
Geomorphology, Geo-hazards, River morphology, Rock mass, and Engineering geological
site investigation etc). Students submit report after the fieldwork (Attendance in Fieldwork
is Compulsory).

7 Evaluation System
In addition to the formal exam(s), the internal evaluation of a student may consist of quizzes,
assignments, lab reports, projects, class participation, etc. The tabular presentation of the
internal evaluation is as follows.

Internal Evaluation Weight Marks External Evaluation Marks

Theory 30
Attendance & Class Participation 10%
Assignments 20%
Presentations/Quizzes 10%
Term exam 60%
Practical work and field study 10+10
Attendance & Participation 10%

3
 Report 10% Semester-End 50
Viva 20% examination
Exam 60%
Total Internal 50
Full Marks: 50 + 50 = 100

Student’s Responsibilities
Each student must secure at least 45% marks separately in internal assessment and practical
evaluation with 80% attendance in the class to appear in the Semester End Examination.
Failing to get such score will be given NOT QUALIFIED (NQ) to appear the Semester-End
Examinations. Students are advised to attend all the classes, formal exams, test, etc. and
complete all the assignments within the specified time period. Students are required to
complete all the requirements defined for the completion of the course.

8 Prescribed Books and References

Text Book
1. Bell, F. G. (2006). Engineering Geology. 2nd Edition, Elsevier.
2. Krynine, D., & Judd, W. R. (2005). Principles of Engineering Geology and
Geotechnics. CBS Publishers.

References
1. Deoja, B., Dhital, M., Wagner, A., & K.B, T. (1991). Mountain Risk Engineering
Handbooks I and II. ICIMOD.
2. Dhital, M.R., Geology of the Nepal Himalaya, Springer International Published,
Switzerland, (2015)
3. Price, D. (2009). Engineering Geology- Principles and Practice. (M. H. de Freitas,
Ed.) Springer.Hoek, E., and Brown, E.T. (2019). The Hoek-Brown failure criterion
and GSI-2018 edition, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 11,
445-463.
4. Vallejo, L.G.de., Ferrer, M., 2011. Geological Engineering, Routledge, Taylor and
Francis Group,