Geology in Engineering

GEOLOGY IN ENGINEERING
Geology and its Relationship to Civil Engineering

Geology is the scientific study of the earth, especially its more or less accessible outer shell, or crust. It
seeks to trace the history of the planet from time that it first became a separate entity down to the
present day. In doing so it enlists the aid of other sciences, particularly astronomy, physics, chemistry,
and biology, and without them geology would be little more than a description of rocks, mountains,
rivers, valleys, etc. No natural feature is too small or too large to escape the attention of geology. It is
interested in the origin of continents and ocean basins on the one hand, on the other hand it takes
cognizance of the arrangement of atoms in the crystal line substances that form much of the earths
crust.
Geology includes not only the study of materials and rocks but it is also concerned with ocean
waves, flowing water, glaciers, and other agencies modifying the surface of the earth, as well as the
study of the past development and distribution of living things. A subject so broad must necessarily be
divided into numerous specialties and no less than twenty-five are currently recognized.
Geology in engineering treats problems such as:
Minerals, Rocks, Geologic Structure, Subsurface Water, Rock Weathering and Soils, Erosion
and Deposition of Streams, Frost Action in Soils, Landslides and Related Phenomena, Volcanoes and
Earthquakes, Historical geology, Soils Mechanics, Dams and Reservoirs, Tunnels, Highways and
Airfields, Concrete Aggregates.
Explanatory Notes:
Rock weathering dezagregare in timp a rocilor
To relate a lega
- a relata
to be related to a se inrudi cu
I. Exercises:
Answer the following questions:
1. What is geology?
2. What does it seek to trace?
3. Do you know other sciences related to geology?
4. What is geology interested in?
5. What problems does geology treat?
II. Translate into Romanian with the help of a dictionary:
A landslide is a perceptible downward sliding or falling of a mass of earth, rock or mixture of the two.
The slope is usually steep and the movement rapid but exceptions may occur. Masses involved in
landslides usually have fairly high water contents, but if much excess liquid is present the mass may
assume the characteristics of a debris /grohotis/ avalanche, mudflow, or earth flow. Landslides may be
divided into several classes according to the rate and character of the movement involved.
III. Use the following expressions in sentences of your own: more or less; to be interested in; on the
one hand on the other hand; not only but also.
GEOPYSICAL EXPLORATION
Application of physical laws and measurements to the earth is known as geophysics: it includes
diverse subjects as meteorology, oceanography, seismology, geodesy, and terrestrial magnetism.
Geophysical prospecting constitutes the practical side of the subject, and may be defined as
prospecting for mineral deposits and geologic structures by surface measurements of their physical
quantities.
Geological applications are forms of subsurface exploration, but they differ from core boring
and other standard engineering exploratory methods in that the information obtained is always indirect
and not subject to direct visual verification.
There are four geophysical methods of subsurface exploration:
1. Electrical methods
2. Gravity methods
3. Magnetic methods
4. Seismical methods
Electrical methods: The electrical conductivity and its reciprocal, the resisitivity of rocks or
soils are a function of the amount of dissolved electrolyte and the volume of interstitial water. The first
is chiefly a function of the chemical composition, whereas the latter depends on the porosity. For
example, sandstones are composed largely of insoluble minerals and thus tend to have relatively low
concentrations of dissolved electrolytes in the interstices. As a result, their electrical conductivity tends
to be low and their resistance high.
Engineering Applications: The chief civil engineering applications of the resistivity method are
in estimating the depth of overburden at dam sites, estimation of the physical characteristics of the
rocks underlying construction sites, location of construction materials and water bearing formations.
When applied to underground water location, it is necessary to know in considerable detail the
stratigraphic conditions in the area in question. When used for exploration of construction sites, the
resistivity method does not do away with the necessary core boring, but it does serve to guide the
location of borings and reduce the number of holes required.
Explanatory notes:
core boring luarea probelor prin forare
subject to supus la
chief principal
chiefly mai ales
overburden supraincarcare
dam sites terenuri de diguri
to do away with a elimina
EARTHQUAKES
As the name suggests, an earthquake is a shaking of the earth which may range from an
imperceptible tremor to a catastrophically violent shock. Seismology, as the scientific study of
earthquakes is called, is one of the youngest of the natural sciences, but despite its brief life span, great
progress has been made in explaining the origin and mechanics of earthquakes. Although precise
prediction of disturbances may never be realized, the knowledge mow available is sufficient to enable
the civil engineer to estimate the danger in any given locality, and, if necessary, precautionary
measures can be taken.
Structural safety and local stability of the ground . A study of past earthquakes indicates that
damage is usually much greater on soft sands and other loose materials than on hard rock. For example
in the San Francisco quake of 1906 it was found that damage was generally five to ten times greater on
soft moist sands, loose sediments, and filled land over old swamps than on hard ground.
In addition to greater vibrations occurring in loose material that in hard rock, if a structure is
placed on yielding materials, in the event of an earthquake, the inertia of the structure may cause it to
settle into the foundation medium. In certain types of structures, serious damage may result from this
cause. The process is very similar to vibrational methods of foundation stabilization in use by
engineers. In Japanese earthquakes it has been found that rigid structures on loose materials far better
than non rigid types.
Area of damage. It has been concluded from the record of past earthquakes that about 2000 to
2500 square miles is the maximum area of serious damage, even in severe shocks. Even the greatest
earthquakes seldom cause damage over 25 miles from the epicenter. Like almost every other general
statement, it would be easy to cite exceptions to this rule. The most conspicuous exception is the
Assam, India earthquake of June 1897, in which damage of clasa X Rossi-Forrel extended on an
average of 70 miles from the center of disturbance. This earthquake is, however, one of the most
violent known.
Explanatory notes:
Range rindm sir, intindere, gama, domeniu, limite
Range of the voice registru al vocii
Range of colours gama de culori
Beyond my range in afara posibilitatilor mele
Within my range cit pot eu sa cuprind
To range a alinia, a orindui,
His thoughts ranged over the past gindurile ii rataceau in trecut
Life span durata de existenta
Span deschidere
Loose material materiale necorozive, libere
Yielding materials materiale care cedeaza
Filled land rambleu, umplutura
Exercises
I.
Ask six questions about the text and answer them.
II.
Translate into English:
Repartizarea cutremurelor: Studiind repartizarea (distribution) cutremurelor in timpul perioadei
1904-1940, se va observa ca regiunile seismice active ale pamintului se impart in patru zone bine
conturate. (well-marked).
III.
Fill in the blanks:

Mr. Black is older his wife. Mrs. Black is not tall her husband. This building is much
larger our house. he is as old his cousin. The Danube is not long the Nile.
IV.
Insert the right form of the adjectives and adverbs in brackets, add conjunctions
where necessary.
Timisoara is a /small/ city Bucharest. He is the /young/ of the family. This is /good/ doing
nothing. All are pretty, but she is /beautiful/ of all. The Atlantic is /big/ the Pacific. The /long/ nights
are in winter. The /soon/ this done, the /good/. The /big/ the buildings, the /many/ flats it will have.
V.
Comment the following saying:
An archeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more he is
interested in her.

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What are the four main geophysical methods of subsurface exploration mentioned?

What factors influence the amount of damage caused by an earthquake?

GEOLOGY IN ENGINEERING

Geology and its Relationship to Civil Engineering

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