AN OVERVIEW OF

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Dr. Adly Kh. Al-Saafin
Eng’g. / Env. Geology
KFUPM-Dhahran
 Site
Minerals Investigation
Rocks Plate
Quartz Soils Tectonic
Pyroxene
Rock
Clay Dunes Cycle
Sabkhas
Igneous
Weathering Sedimentary
Tunnels Metamorphic
Physiographic
Roads Rocks
Features Railroads
Building Faults
Folds
Earthquake Domes
Volcano Water Table
flood Groundwater
Rock / Soil.
Eng’g./Env. Characterization
Foundation
Projects
 Engineering Geology &
Eng’g./Environmental Applications
 Engineering Geology &
Eng’g./Environmental Applications
 Engineering Geology &
Eng’g./Environmental Applications
 Engineering Geology &
Eng’g./Environmental Applications
Engineering Geology & Engineering
Applications
Engineering Geology &
Core Logging
 OUTLINE

WHAT IS ENGINEERING GEOLOGY?

HISTORY OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY.

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & OTHER SCIENCES.

STAGES OF AN ENGINEERING PROJECT

WAYS OF THINKING

TYPICAL SPECIALIZATIONS!

WHY ENGINEERING GEOLOGY?

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST RESPONSIBILITIES.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN BY THE END OF THIS
COURSE?

ASPECTS OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST FUNCTION
 WHAT IS ENGINEERING
GEOLOGY?

Engineering geology is the application of

geological knowledge to the siting,
planning, and construction of the
engineering works”.
Engineering geology is a hybrid science
mainly consists of two majors: Geology and
Engineering.
 Geology & Civil Engineering

GEOLOGY: is defined as the science dealing with

physical nature, history of earth, the rock of which
it is composed, and the changes which it has
undergone or is undergoing.
 GEOLOGIST builds his conclusions on observations
and intuitive reasoning.
ENGINEERING: is a science concerned with
putting scientific knowledge to practical uses.
 ENGINEER measures properties and applies
mathematical relationships to reach his conclusion
 Engineering Geology

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY has attempted to

fill the philosophical gap in the evaluation of
geological phenomenon and defining the
geological environment for the purpose of
engineering works.
 ENGINEERING GEOLOGOST: is a scientist who
applies the geological knowledge to engineering
practice. (e.g. assuring that the geologic factors
affecting the location, design, construction
operation, and maintenance of engineering works
are recognized and adequately provided for……).
 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING
GEOLOGY

In 1903, Charles Brky had introduced the first Engineering Geology
course in Columbia University. In the 1940’s, engineering geologic
activities have been utilized by public agency (USGS, USBR) in
many projects.

1950 - 1970’s; Many workers in the US and UK were defined as the
principle foundation of Engineering Geology, and tried to introduce
engineering geology as a well recognized and acceptable science in
many universities.

1972/1973; Field and responsibilities of Geologist, Civil Engineer
and Engineering Geologist has been defined (California State Board of
Registration for Geologists and Geophysics, US and Engineering Geological Group
Party, UK).

1970 - present, Engineering Geology stands as a well-defined science
and served in several engineering & environmental works.
Development
of
Geosciences
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND
OTHER PERTINENT SCIENCES
SOIL
ROCK ENGINEERING APPLIED
ENGINEERING HYDROGEOLOGY

GEOLOGIC ENGINEERIG STRUCTURAL

PROCESSES GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

APPLIED
GEOMORPHOLOGY GEOCHEMISTRY
ENGINEERING
GEOPHYSICS
 STAGES OF ENGINEERING
PROJECT
Engineering Geologist Civil Engineer
SITE SELECTION STAGE

DESIGNING STAGE

CONSTRUCTION STAGE

MAINTENANCE OF ENG. WORKS
 WAYS OF THINKING !

ENGINEER
GEOLOGIST Engineering Geotechnical
Geologist Engineer Precise,
Empirical, specific
rule of thumb, analysis,
intuitive, rigorous
qualitative. Geological calculations,
Answers from Engineer quantitative.
experience. Answers from
theory.

After W. Shehat, 2003

Typical Specializations !
GEOLOGY ENGINEERING

Theoretical

Typical

Geotechnical
Ways of Geological

Engineer
Typical
solving Engineer
problems

Typical
Engineering
Empirical Geologist

Areas of
knowledge
After W. Shehat, 2003
WHY ENGINEERING GEOLOGY?
Engineering geology becomes more important by time because
the available building sites become less ideal as time goes
on..……
In most cities and towns, the best building sites were used long
ago. Notice how old buildings have sites within possible flooding
zone, within active (inactive) EQ, Volcanic zones, above water
table………..
Recently, new projects require more careful geologic study and
better design because of problems like poor foundation
materials, high water tables, and poor drainage.
Notice: you are in the eastern and western parts of Saudi
Arabia, how many new houses are being built on reclaimed
wetlands and streams or on jointed rocky areas.
Most of these sites require some foundation preparation.
 PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
1. SELECTION OF SUITABLE SITES FOR ENGINEERING
PROJECTS.
2. DESCRIBTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GEOLOGIC
ENVIRONMENT PERTINENT TO THE ENGINEERING PROJECT
(SOIL, ROCK, WATER CONDITIONS).
3. DEFINE OF NATURAL HAZARDS EVENTS THAT MAY AFFECTING
THE ENGINEERING PROJECT.
4. FORECAST OF THE FUTURE EVENTS THAT COULD THREAT THE
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES.
5. RECOMMENDATION OF WAYS TO HANDLE AND TREAT
VAROUS EARTH MATERIALS AND PROCESSES.
6. INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION TO CONFIRM
CONDITIONS.
7. DIRECTION AND COORDINATION OF TEAM EFFORTS
8. MAKING JUDGMENTS ON ECONOMY & SAFTEY.
Sources of Engineering Geological
Information
Geological Survey
Environmental Protection Agency
Association of Engineering
Geologists
Consultant Firms
Universities & Research Institutes
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN BY
THE END OF THIS COURSE?
Fundamentals of geology and mechanics
Engineering geologic characteristics of earth materials
(soil & rock) that are influencing the performance of
engineering works
Impacts of natural hazards on engineering works
Site investigation procedure
Computer-aided in engineering geological applications.
Case studies showing “Role of engineering geologic
knowledge on siting of engineering and environmental
works”
 Aspects of Engineering Geology

 Aspect 1: Fundamentals of Geology

 Aspect 2: Rock Mechanics Fundamentals
 Aspect 3: Characterization of Earth Materials
 Aspect 4: Rock Mass Classification
 Aspect 5: Site Investigation
 Aspect 6: Instrumentation
 Aspect 7: Geohazards Evaluation & Mitigation
 Engineering Geologist Function

Portrait of an Engineering Geologist looking back at Geologic

Processes and forward to Engineering Products. (After IAEG & AGI)