Table Of ContentENGINEERING
GEOLOGY
(cid:54)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:92)(cid:68)(cid:92)
Formerly, Senior Director
Geological Survey of India
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3
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford.
It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship,
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Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries.
Published in India by
Oxford University Press
YMCA Library Building, 1 Jai Singh Road, New Delhi 110001, India
© Oxford University Press 2013
The moral rights of the author/s have been asserted.
First published in 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the
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rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the
above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the
address above.
You must not circulate this work in any other form
and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer.
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-808635-2
ISBN-10: 0-19-808635-0
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Cameo Corporate Services Limited, Chennai
Printed in India by Akash Press, New Delhi 110020
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This book is dedicated
to the memory of my
Mother
for her everlasting love.
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iv ●
FFeeaattuurreess ooff tthhee BBooookk
LEARNING OBJECTI VES
Each chapter begins with ‘learning objectives’
After studying this chapter, the reader will be familiar with the following:
setting the theme for the chapter followed by
• Application of engineering geology in • History and development of
civil engineering practice geology in India a short introductory paragraph on the subject
• Knowledge that early Indians had on • Work-activities of engineerin
matter of discussion in the chapter.
stone construction since prehistoric times
A number of photographs of actual project sites
as well as illustrative diagrams are interspersed
in the text for better understanding of the theory.
Fig. 18.5 An arch bridge
18.11 CASE STUDIES ON BRIDGES INCLUDING A COLLAPSED BRIDGE Case studies have been provided in relevant
A bridge construction usually encounters several types of problems that chapters to present real-life situations so that
adverse geology of the bridge site, especially in relation to the weak foun
of the piers. Geotechnical investigation helps to identify the weakness of t students are able to relate to the concepts
specify correct treatment. The following case studies are presented to give
discussed in the chapters.
of the problems faced at the bridge sites of varied geological set-ups and the
2233
Guidelines for Writing an
Engineering Geology Report
Chapter 23 provides guidelines for preparing
engineering geology reports. The field work
required to collect basic data to be included in
LEARNING OBJECTI VES
such reports is also discussed in this chapter.
After studying this chapter, the reader will be familiar with the following:
• Purpose of preparing an engineering • Fieldwork required for collectin
geology report data to include in the report
• Procedure for writing an engineering • Utility of in-fi eld preparation o
geology report draft
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SUMMARY
is the application of •The work of an engineering geologist at the initial
civil engineering practices stages of an engineering project includes geological
The summary at the end of each chapter
esign, and construction. mapping, subsurface evaluation by drillings, search
ng was known in India for construction materials, and determination of
revisits all the important points discussed in the
es when buildings and rock/soil properties. At the construction stage, it
using hard and durable involves the study of the conditions of foundations chapter making for a fine guide for revision.
ed. Numerous buildings, of engineering structures and suggestion of
s, dams, and irrigation corrective measures for geological defects.
dia in early historic times. •Investigating natural hazards such as earthquakes
work started in India as and landslides and identifying measures for their
Multiple Choice Questions 5. The structure that proves th
the art of engineering even i
Choose the correct answer from the choices given: (a) t he sluice structure for wa
In all chapters multiple choice questions and 1. In the investigation of a site for construction of (b) t he embankments and
an engineering structure, an engineering geologist century AD
review questions are given to test students’ aims at: (c) both (a) and (b)
(a) stability of the structure 6. The rock type that was use
understanding of concepts learnt from the (b) economy of its construction Sanchi Stupa is:
(c) both (a) and (b) (a) pink granite
chapters.
Review Questions weapons and domestic articl
where Stone Age men lived
1. Discuss how the mutual relationship between the two 5. By whom and when was Si
disciplines—geology and engineering geology—
the guidelines mentioned in
resulted in engineering geology.
the use of rock/soil for cons
NUMERICAL EXERCISES
y testing, while determining the maximum of 300 kg-cm to bring about failure of the Numerical problems along with answers are
the weight of the density bottle was soil. Calculate the shear strength of the soil.
. The soil sample after drying in the [Answer: Shear strength = 0.379 kg/cm2] provided in those chapters where there is a
g was weighed as 35.38 g. The bottle 3.In an analysis of 200 g of soil particles, the
s then fi lled with distilled water and following result was recorded with respect to their requirement. In some cases hints are also
20.21 g and the bottle with water to size distribution: coarse gravel 80 g, fi ne gravel
d the specifi c gravity (G) of the soil 50 g, coarse sand 30 g, medium sand 20 g, fi ne sand given.
15 g, and silt with clay 5 g. Draw a cumulative curve
[Answer: G = 2.12] showing the distribution of particles.
AAPPPPEENNDDIIXX
Two appendices on dams and tunnels in AA
Geotechnical Problems of Dams
India have been provided at the end of the
and Their Solutions
book. These appendices highlight the adverse
geological conditions encountered during AAPPBBPPEENNDDIIXX
the construction of dams and the remedial Geotechnical Problems of Tunnels
measures undertaken. and Their Solutions
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Preface
It is said that one who learns from one’s own experience is smart, but one who learns from other’s
experiences is smarter. This book is the outcome of the author’s several years of experience of
working on diverse projects in India and abroad. This book attempts to share his rich and varied
experience with students—the future geologists and engineers—so that they are better able to
assess and handle the geotechnical problems of different project sites effectively. The book is
written in an Indian context using exhaustive examples from Indian case studies to elucidate
the theoretical concepts discussed in the chapters and to help in solving practical problems. The
investigative approach including techniques of site works discussed in this book are in line with
those practised by the geologists of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) while collaborating with
engineers in planning, designing, and constructing varied engineering projects across the country.
Initially, geological problems related to civil constructions were handled by geologists
of GSI. But with time civil engineers started working hand in hand with geologists to fi nd
solutions to the numerous geotechnical problems encountered in different engineering projects.
Thus, gradually engineering geology became an important subject of study especially for civil
engineering professionals.
Like any new branch of study, engineering geology has also advanced at a fast pace. In
fact, engineering problems and adverse conditions of project sites faced during construction
of civil engineering projects were treated successfully by Indian engineers and geologists.
The advances in the nature of geological works are also more pronounced compared to the
early days. New methodologies such as satellite imagery and remote sensing techniques, and
exploratory works using rotary drilling now provide accurate geological knowledge of both
surface and subsurface strata. But our progress in using computers in geological works is yet
to develop as in the western countries. In the West, IT based working in engineering geology is
part of the curriculum. The future of engineering geology lies in the applications of geographic
information system (GIS), remote sensing information provided by orbiting satellites, and IT
based 3D imagery systems.
About the Book
This textbook aims to impart comprehensive knowledge of engineering geology to the
undergraduate students of civil engineering and graduate and postgraduate students of geology,
applied geology, and mining geology. It will also serve as a reference book for practising civil
engineers and professional engineering geologists. The book deals with both the principles
and practices of engineering geology. Because of the author’s rich experience of working
with various types of engineering projects such as dams, tunnels, bridges, and having been
involved in disaster management activities in cases of natural calamities across the world such
as earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis, he has focussed on the practical aspects that will come
in handy for geology students.
The subject matter of each chapter is elucidated with the help of maps, diagrams, and images
including fi eld pictures mostly taken by the author during his visits to different parts of the
world. Factual data related to different aspects of discussions has been incorporated in the form
of tables for ready reference. Solved examples wherever applicable have been included in the
chapters. The important points covered in the chapters are recapitulated in the form of summary
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viii ● Preface
at the end of the chapters. Further, a section on exercises comprising review questions, multiple-
choice questions, and numerical exercises is also provided at the end of each chapter.
Several books, websites, and literature on engineering geology including journals of the
Indian Society of Engineering Geology (ISEG) and journals of the International Association of
Engineering Geology (IAEG), and published records of GSI on geological works of the past till
date were consulted while preparing the text of this book. The references of all these pertinent
books/papers with author’s name, year of publication, and other relevant details have been
listed in the ‘References’ section at the end of the book.
Salient Features of the Book
• The book provides examples of various geological sites in the country to give an Indian
context to the book. It also closely follows the works done by GSI, the premium institute in
India involved in geological works in the country.
• The subject matter of each chapter has been illustrated by numerous fi gures and actual
pictures of geological features taken from project sites to simplify the concepts discussed in
the book.
• Chapter-end summary is provided in each chapter so that at a glance student can recollect the
main aspects of the chapter.
• Geological reports are an important part of a professional geologists’ work. A chapter is
devoted to providing guidelines on writing good geological reports for designing project
sites.
• The appendices at the end of the book include case histories of major Indian dams and tunnels.
The discussion on the different types of hurdles which arose during their construction and
the remedial measures adopted will be of special interest to practising civil engineers and
professional geologists.
• Many parts of the world and several states of India—especially the eastern region and parts
of central India—have problems related to karstic limestone, where special investigations
such as speleological and tracer studies are necessary. This important aspect, which does
not fi nd mention in most other engineering geology books, is discussed as an exclusive
chapter.
Content and Coverage
The book consists of 24 chapters and two appendices.
Chapter 1 introduces engineering geology with a discussion on the importance of engineering
geology in civil engineering and the work-activities of engineering geologists. Chapters 2, 3,
and 4 deal with rocks, minerals, and rock structures and weathering of rocks and its impact on
constructions. Chapter 5 discusses the different types of soils and their classifi cation. Chapter 6
deals with soil mechanics—laboratory analysis of soil, determination of soil permeability,
density measurement, and consolidation and compactness tests.
Chapter 7 discusses the hydraulic parameters of a river followed by its activities and
the utility of the river deposits. Chapter 8 highlights the geological works of oceans and
coastal management. It also includes a case study on coastal erosion. Chapter 9 analyses the
various aspects of subsurface water in relation to its engineering signifi cance. The processes
involved in the hydrologic cycle to maintain the earth’s water equilibrium are also discussed.
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Preface ● ix
Chapter 10 highlights the importance of rock mechanics in engineering geology and civil
engineering works.
Chapter 11 discusses the different stages of investigation of engineering project sites.
Different methods of geophysical explorations are also discussed. Chapter 12 discusses different
types of rock materials including their characteristics and utilities. Petrological study of alkali-
reactive minerals and other deleterious materials are also discussed. Chapter 13 discusses
the different aspects of grouting in rocks and other materials. It also discusses the types of
grouting, ingredients used in a grout mix, grouting patterns, and factors considered for fi nding
the effi cacy of grouting.
Chapter 14 explains the different aspects of dams, their utility, functions, investigation
approaches during site selection, and construction stages as also post-construction stages. It
also discusses different types of spillways and their working. Chapter 15 deals with reservoirs,
their effect on the geo-hydrology of the neighbouring area, the sedimentation and degradation
process of reservoir capacity, and the environmental effect due to the creation of a reservoir.
Chapter 16 classifi es different types of tunnels, before explaining the geotechnical aspects of
tunnel construction, problems in tunnelling and their solutions, and methods and machineries of
tunnel construction. Chapter 17 deals with different types of powerhouses and their functions.
Some case studies on power houses are also discussed. Investigation methods for nuclear and
thermal powerhouses are also presented.
Chapter 18 on bridges explains the functions of superstructures and substructures of bridges.
It describes the different types of bridges and the forces acting on them. The bridge components
and supports systems are also elucidated. A case study on bridge foundation problems and their
remedial measures are also presented. Chapter 19 deals with highways, canals, runways, power
channels, and fl umes. Chapter 20 discusses natural hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis
and explains the methods of forecasting them. The chapter also adds a note on the various
remedial measures that can be adopted following a disaster.
Chapter 21 discusses landslide evaluation and mitigation. It also talks about geological,
man-made, and natural causes of landslides and the preparation of landslide hazard zonation
map and mitigation measures. Chapter 22 is on karstic terrain investigation. The origin of
karst topography and processes responsible for formation of large cavities in surface and
subsurface investigation methods including speleologist study of underground caverns are
discussed in this chapter. The chapters also adds a note on the problems of creating reservoirs
in karstic terrains.
Chapter 23 presents guidelines for writing geological reports. The fi eld work required
to collect basic data to be included in such reports is also discussed. Chapter 24 deals with
physiography, stratigraphy, and ores and minerals of India. Without adequate knowledge
of these aspects, the engineering geology study especially in the Indian perspective will be
incomplete.
Appendices A and B include examples of some Indian dams and tunnels successfully built
in various rock formations in different parts of India including the Himalayan terrain. These
appendices highlight the adverse geological conditions encountered during the construction
of these engineering structures and the remedial measures adopted. Chapter 14 on dams and
Chapter 16 on tunnels may be read in conjunction with Appendices A and B respectively to
impart knowledge on the adverse geological conditions of the construction sites of major dams
and tunnels and their rectifi cation measures.
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x ● Preface
Acknowledgement
I am indebted to many world-renowned engineering geologists and specialists in soil and rock
mechanics for sharing their knowledge with me during my service life. Special thanks especially
to Dr J.B. Auden, renowned engineering geologist and former Chief of Water Resource
Development, UN, Dr N. Burton, expert in rock mechanics, and Dr L. Bjerrum, specialist in
soil mechanics and former Head, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo, with whom I had
the rare privilege of working. I am indebted to his guidance and constant encouragement in my
research on engineering geology and geotechnics.
I would like to thank my colleagues at GSI and engineers of various state and central
government departments with whom I worked for a long period and got inspiration for writing
this book. I am especially thankful to A.K. Chowdhury, N. Majumdar, M. Bandopadhyay, and
S. Chakrabarty, retired directors and experienced engineering geologists of GSI, who have
gone through the different chapters of the manuscript and provided valuable suggestions for
improvement of the book. I am also indebted to D.N. Bhattacharya, C. Paul, and B.C. Poddar—
my colleagues at GSI for providing me with several illustrative fi eld photographs and fruitful
discussions on specifi c subject matter related to this book.
This work would not have been completed without the dynamic effort of my daughter
Shampa and son-in-law Asit Chakrabarty, both computer engineers in the US. They were a
constant source of inspiration while writing this book and assisted me immensely in computer-
processing of the entire manuscript including computer-drawing of illustrations and scanning
of fi gures and photographs.
Subinoy Gangopadhyay
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