Introduction

 Geology
Geology is that branch of natural science which
deals with the earth as a whole, regarding its
origin, age, interior structure, history, evolution
and modification of various surface like rivers,
mountains and lakes along with their causes,
minerals making up the earth, etc.

Geology term has been derived from Greek words

Geo (Earth) + lagos (Study of science)
• Study of all water bodies existing on the
surface or underground - the hydrosphere also
forms an important part of geology.

• Geology, also includes the study of various

physical, dynamic and physico - chemical
processes operating on or within the earth and
of the agents and forces involved and evolved
in such processes.
 Geology

Main branches Allied branches

1. Physical geology 1. Engineering geology
2. Mineralogy 2. Mining geology
3. Petrology 3. Geophysics
4. Structural geology 4. Geohydrology
5. Historical geology (Stratigraphy) 5. Geochemistry
6. Palaeontology
7. Economic geology
Main branches
Physical Geology
• Branch deals with origin, development &
various physical features on the surface of the
earth like mountains, plateaus, valleys, rivers,
lakes glaciers & volcanoes.

• This role play by internal agents (volcanism &

earthquakes) & external agents (wind, water,
ice & atmosphere) on the physical features of
the earth makes a major part of study in
physical geology.
 Mineralogy
• Study of minerals
• Basic units with different rock & ores.
• Details of made of formation, composition,
occurrence, association, properties, uses, etc.
of minerals are studied.
• i.e. quartsite, marble, calcite, hematite etc.
• Necessary for a civil engineer.
 Petrology
• Petro – rocks
Deals with study of rocks
• logos – study
• Earth’s crust made up of Lithosphere.
• Deals with mode of formation, structure,
texture, composition, occurrence, type, etc of
rock.
• Rock is subdivided into three distinct branch
1. Igneous rock
2. Sedimentary rock
3. Metamorphic rock
 Structural geology
• Earth’s crust undergo various deformation,
dislocation & disturbances under the action of
tectonic forces.

• As a results folds, faults, joints &

unconformities in rocks.

• A details of mode of formation, causes, types,

classification, importance, etc.
 Historical geology (Stratigraphy)
• Study of earth’s history through sedimentary
rock.

• Stratigraphy = Strata + graphy

• Strata – the sets or beds of sedimentary rock

• graphy – description

• Study of rock indicate – time that has passes

since their formation, thereby indication the
 Palaeontology
• Deals with the study of fossils, i.e. remains of
plants & animals, extracted from sedimentary
rocks
• Details of mode of formation of fossils, their
types, occurrence, etc. from the subject of
matter.
• Helps in providing a background to the
development of life on earth, over the past
geological ears.
 7 – Economic geology

• Deals with study of rocks materials fuels etc.

& its occurring on & in the earth that can be
used for benefit of man.

• Include a wide variety of ores of all the metals

& non-metal, building stone, salt deposits,
fuel, industrial minerals for refractories
abrasives & insulation
Allied branches
Engineering geology
• Include the study of application of geology to
civil engineering.
• Branch developed due to the interaction
between the civil engineering practice &
geological sciences.
• Also include availability of construction
material.
• Role play in planning, design & construction
of safe, stable & economic engineering
projects.
 Mining geology
• Deals with the application of geological
knowledge in the field of mining & quarrying.

• includes mode & extent of occurrence of ores,

their association, properties. etc.

• Other physical parameters like depth,

inclination (dip), direction (strike), thickness &
reserve of ore bodies for efficient utilization.
 Geophysics
• The branch directly deals with the important
principles. Processes & methods of physics are
applied to solve many geological problems.

• Such like density & magnetism of the earth

• To know its interior, forms

 Geohydrology (hydrogeology)
• Deals with occurrence, movement & nature of
groundwater in an area.

• Existence & movement of ground water are

directly related to porosity, permeability,
structure, texture & composition of the surface
& underground rocks.
 Scope of geology
1. In civil engineering
2. In mining engineering
3. In ground water
4. In mineral exploration
5. In town planning
Application of geology in civil eng.
• Large structure like dams, tunnels, bridge etc.
having the foundation on geological formation
of the earth.
• safety, stability, economy & life of the
structure are require.
• For above type of structure required material
in very large quantities near the site (if not
increase cost).
 Application Of Geology In Civil
Engineering

(a)Planning b) Design c) Construction

Planning
Topographic maps

• A maps which gives the details of different

features & are essential to understand merits
& demerits of all different possible site of
making structure.

• Also include valleys & gorge can be easily

computed from maps.
Hydrological maps
• Gives surface water & ground water & also
with occurrence & depth of contours of water
catchment area.

Geological maps
• Rock types.
• Fracturing & displacement of rocks.
• Availability of construction materials.
b) Design
• Matter of designing an engineering project,
the role of geological information is very
important.
i) Existence of hard bed rocks & their depth
from & inclination with the surface
ii) Mechanical properties along & across of site
• Compressive strength
• Shear strength
• Porosity & permeability
iii. Ground water table
iv. Seismic zone (earthquake zone)
c) Construction
• Selection of right type of material, which
should be nearer to construction site of rock
bed.
• Knowledge of quality control of material
comes from the knowing basic properties of
materials.
• In seismic region structure should light
weight, for that light weight material used.
• Large structure like dam, bridge, tunnel –
must have knowledge geology.