GEOLOGY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS
Introduction
Minerals and rocks
Superficial deposits
Distribution of rocks at and below the surface
Subsurface (ground) water
Geological exploration of an engineering site
Rocks and civil engineering
Principal geological factors affecting certain engineering projects
In a major engineering project, each of these stages might be carried out and reported on
by a consultant specialising in geology, geophysics or engineering (with a detailed
knowledge of soil or rock mechanics). However, even where the services of a specialist
consultant are employed, an engineer will have overall supervision and responsibility for
the project. The engineer must therefore have enough understanding of geology to know
how and when to use the expert knowledge of consultants, and to be able to read their
reports intelligently, judge their reliability, and appreciate how the conditions described
might affect the project. In some cases the engineer can recognise common rock types
and simple geological structures, and knows where he can obtain geological information
for his preliminary investigation. When reading reports, or studying geological maps, he
must have a complete understanding of the meaning of geological terms and be able to
grasp geological concepts and arguments.
by a consultant specialising in geology, geophysics or engineering (with a detailed
knowledge of soil or rock mechanics). However, even where the services of a specialist
consultant are employed, an engineer will have overall supervision and responsibility for
the project. The engineer must therefore have enough understanding of geology to know
how and when to use the expert knowledge of consultants, and to be able to read their
reports intelligently, judge their reliability, and appreciate how the conditions described
might affect the project. In some cases the engineer can recognise common rock types
and simple geological structures, and knows where he can obtain geological information
for his preliminary investigation. When reading reports, or studying geological maps, he
must have a complete understanding of the meaning of geological terms and be able to
grasp geological concepts and arguments.
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