ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Course code –BSC 303

Module 1: Introduction-Branches of geology useful to civil engineering , scope of geological
studies in various civil engineering projects. Department dealing with his subject in India and
their scope of work- GSI, Granite Dimension Stone Cell, NIRM. Mineralogy- Mineral, Origin
and composition. Physical properties of minerals, susceptibility of minerals to alteration, basic of
optical mineralogy,(6 hours)
Module II: Strength Behavior of Rocks- Stress and Strain in rocks. Concept of Rock
Deformation & Tectonics. Dip and Strike. Outcrop and width of outcrop. Inliers and Outliers.
Main types of discontinuities according to size. Fold –Types and nomenclature, Criteria for their
recognition in field . Faults: Classification, recognition in field, effects on outcrops. Joints &
Uncormity; Types, Stresses responsible, geotechnical importance. Importance of structural
elements in engineering operations. Consequences of failure as land sliding, Earthquake and
Subsidence, Strength of Igneous rock structures(6 hours)
Module III: Geological Hazards- Rock Instability and Slope movement:
Concept of sliding blocks. Different controlling factors. Instability in vertical rock structures and
measures to prevent collapse..Types of landslide. Prevention by surface drainage, slope
reinforcement by Rock bolting and Rock Anchoring, retaining wall, Slope treatment. Case study
on black clay. Ground water: Factors controlling water bearing capacity of rock. Previous &
impervious rocks and ground water. Lowering of water table and Subsidence. Earthquake:
Magnitude and intensity of earthquake. Seismic sea waves. Revelation from Seismic Records of
structure of earth. Case Study on Elevation and Subsidence in Himalayan region in India.
Seismic Zone in India.(6 hours)
Module IV: Geology of dam and reservoir site- Required geological consideration for selecting
dam and reservoir site. Failure of Reservoir. Favorable and unfavorable conditions in different
types of rocks in presence of various structural features, precautions to be taken to counteract
unsuitable conditions , significance of discontinuities on the dam site and treatment giving to
such structures.(4 hours)
Module V: Introduction and nature of soils: Soil problems in Civil Engineering, Types of soil,
formation, structure and mineralogical and composition, Physical and Engineering Properties of
soil, Atterberg Limit, Grain size analysis, by sieving and sedimentation, Activity of clay, All
type of Classification of soil, Engineering properties of soil.(6 hours)
Module VI: Soil hydraulic and seepage analysis : Darcy’s law, Measurement of Permeability,
Factors affecting permeability and neutral pressure and effective pressure.(4 hours)
Seepage analysis: Laplace’s equation, methods of obtaining flow nets, flow net for isotropic and
anisotropic soil and their applications.( 3 hours)
Consolidation and compaction: Definition, measurement, mechanism and analysis of data.(4
hours)
Shear strength of soil: Shear strength parameters of soil and laboratory methods for their
determination. Liquefaction of soil.(4 hours)
Suggested Readings:
1. Engineering and General Geology, Prabin Singh, 8the ed.(2010),S K Kataria and sons.

2. Text Books of Engineering Geology, N.Cheena Kesavulu,2nd Edition(2009)
3. Geology for Geotechnical Engineers, J.C.Harvey, Cambridge University Press(1982)
4. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, B.C.Punmia, Laxmi Publication