Applied Geology for Civil Engineering
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ScribdTranslationsApplied Geology for Civil Engineering
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsNational School of Public Works
Academic year 2008/2009
Engineering Geology Course 3thyear
Prof : A. Benamghar (Maitre Assistant)
1 Chapter 1 Introduction to Applied Geology
This course is intended for third-year engineering [Link] in public works of the Entp. He
summarizes the essential concepts of geology applied to civil engineering.
The chapters that will be covered in this course are as follows:
Introduction to geology
Internal composition of the Earth: internal thermodynamics
Plate tectonics: convection cycles, faults, folds, volcanoes,
earthquakes...
Geomorphology: evolution of the relief of the Earth's surface and its causes
Rocks: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, mineralogy,
crystallography
Geochronology: dating of rocks
Geological risks: earthquakes, erosion, landslides, collapses...
Geophysics, Seismology: earthquakes, seismic waves
The geology of Algeria: the main features of the geological map of
Algeria
1.1 Importance of geology for public works
What interests does a civil engineer have in studying geology?
the answer is very simple.
The link between geology and public works is very close.
All the buildings and structures (real estate, bridges, tunnels, roads, airports...)
constructed by the engineer in civil engineering includes a fundamental part that is represented
by the foundations.
Let us ask the following question: what is the role of the foundation soil in a
construction?
One will quickly realize that this role is one of the most important:
The foundation floor bears the weight of the entire structure and its equipment;
The foundation soil works and responds to all the stresses it undergoes.
the building throughout its life;
The foundation soil is in constant communication with the building!
Well-studied and well-executed foundations are the guarantee of a safe structure.
Prof. A. BENAMGHAR Geology course, 3thyear Chapter 1 1
If the foundations have been poorly studied or poorly executed, the entire construction will
retrieved in peril and the losses could be invaluable.
The calculation of foundations, their sizing, their reinforcement, their dosage in
materials, their depth... etc depend largely on the soil and the subsoil that will
welcoming them. One cannot conceive of foundations without knowing very well the
land where they will be carried out.
That is why one of the first tasks of the project engineer is to request a
detailed geological report of the location of the work and sometimes of its environment. It is him
who orders a detailed survey of the soil, and even the subsoil. It indicates the
depth and scope of recognition... the types of essays and tests in
laboratory...etc
The recognition is carried out through field visits, excavations,
surveys, sample collections and laboratory analysis...etc.
All this fieldwork is carried out by a (some) geologist(s) who presents the results in
a detailed report addressed to the project manager.
When the work is sensitive or very important (e.g., tunnel in an urban area...) the work
the geologist does not stop there, but continues as long as the work is in
realization.
By taking a look at the history of public works, one will quickly realize that
many are the disasters that are not of natural origin but rather
anthropic (caused by Man).
These disasters, which have often cost a great deal in property but especially in lives
human, and whose main cause has proven to be neglect or poor study of
sol.
1.1.1 These spectacular accidents that changed the way things are viewed:
Even though in the distant past man was able to build without really caring
to know the geology of the subsurface on which he works, it had no effects
spectacular due to the fact that the works were quite limited and the technical means
limited. Add to that the non-existence of scientific bases or legislation for
frame all of this.
But nowadays, we quickly realized the necessity of accompanying everything
construction project through a detailed knowledge of the location of realization.
This necessity has been dictated by several factors:
oCurrent constructions are much more complex and significant than
those of the past;
Prof. A. BENAMGHAR Geology course, 3emeyear Chapter 1 2
o In today's times, we do not always have the choice of location.
the building due to the scarcity of buildable land;
oLes accidents importants (glissements, effondrements, rupture…) qui ont eu
location in TP, as well as the frequency of natural disasters (earthquakes,
floods...) have left a mark on people's minds;
oThe laws and regulations regarding construction have been adapted and
renders much stricter than in the past.
A striking example: the famous Malpasset dam disaster1(France,
Let's recall that it is thanks to this unfortunate disaster that 'mechanics
rocks" has experienced considerable growth to the point of becoming a specialty in its own right
entire, after it was a little-known matter.
What is most surprising when studying this accident is that the investigation that followed
revealed the following facts:
othe structure itself, that is to say the dam's structure, was not in
cause !
o The cause of the accident was mainly due to the inadequacy of the study.
geological
. On one hand, a poor recognition of the terrain that did not detect
a significant flaw on the left bank of the dam.
. And on the other hand, since the basement is made of rock, its...
intense foliation (fissuration) that worsened due to the load
water.
Photos of the Malpasset dam before and after its rupture on December 2, 1959.
This catastrophe and many others have nonetheless taught us that the study
detailed geology is hardly separable from the work of the civil engineering technician.
1
For more information see websites:
[Link]
[Link]
Prof. A. BENAMGHAR Geology Course, 3thyear Chapter 1 3
1.1.2 Investigation Methods
There are several investigative methods to detect the risk of a
Any accident that would jeopardize the work to be constructed or already constructed. We
we will mention a few in a general way:
A) Geological reconnaissance
•Study of aerial photographs: searching for scars of ancient
land movements;
Structural measurements: faults, dip, schistosity, fractures, etc.
•Ground indicators: soil rupture, mounds, trees or poles
inclined, displacement or breakage of elements, small slips, etc...
B) Geotechnical Study
Type of soil or in-situ rock;
Characterization of the material:
water content
shear resistance of clay or rock,
angle of friction of the rock,
• Atterberg limit, etc.
C) Hydrogeological study
Depth of the aquifer,
•Conditions of pressure and flow…
Geology is a vast and complex science.
Geology is a science in its own right. In the dictionary2one can read it there
following definition:
Science including the study of the parts of the Earth directly accessible to observation and
the formulation of hypotheses.... The main disciplines of geology are:
petrography (...study of rocks...)
mineralogy (study of minerals) ...
crystallography (study of the properties of the crystalline state of matter)…
Sedimentology... studies how sediments are deposited...
Geochemistry is the study of the chemical behavior of chemical elements...
Stratigraphy is the study of the succession of sediments...
Tectonics is indeed the study of the deformations of the Earth's surface...
Paleontology studies fossil beings...
Geomorphology... studies the evolution of the reliefs of the Earth's surface...
Applied geology is not strictly speaking a discipline in its own right, but brings together
the practical applications of all branches of geology (mines, oil, public works,
hydrogeology...)...
2
Dictionnaire de Géologie, A. Foucault & J. F. Raoult ; éd. Masson 1980
Prof. A. BENAMGHAR Geology course, 3thyear Chapter 1 4
We therefore realize that the course that concerns us 'applied geology to practical work' or
"Engineering geology" is not a discipline in its own right from the perspective of
geologist but rather an application of geological knowledge in the field
public works.
This is why we will be interested, throughout this course, in several
chapters that each deal with one of the disciplines of geology that have a direct link
with public works.
1.3 Some bibliographical references for the course:
Here are some bibliographic references to help you better understand the
courses and better prepare your practical work, reports, etc.
On the Internet: you can type a keyword into a search engine
your choice and you will get many references.
Entp Library: here are some references, there are many more.
search on site
Geology course;
o Author Yakoub, Boussad Coast R103
Elements of Geology / Charles Pomerol, Maurice Renard
o Fox, Maurice Cote R119
Summary of Geology: 1st Cycle and Degree. Vol. 3, Tectonics, Morphology, Earth Globe / Jean
Aubouin, Robert Brousse, Jean-Pierre Lehman Side R018/3
Application of geology to engineering works
o Author Goguel, Jean Coast R020
Application of geology to engineering works
o Author Goguel, Jean Coast R022
Geological reconnaissance of the construction site / Jean Pimienta,
o Author Pimienta, Jean Cote R027
Geology: practical work / School of Public Works Engineering Coast R063