Engineering Geology
Code
7719
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Terra
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Ana Paula Fernandes da Silva, Pedro Calé da Cunha Lamas
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
60
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The students who succeed in this unit must be able to understand the basic concepts in Engineering Geology, the main ground classification systems, as well as the capability to develop a basic geotechnical study for the main types of engineering works.
Prerequisites
No special requirements, but the previous attendance of Geophysics and of Mechanical Exploration classes is advisable.
Students must be present in at least two thirds of the practical classes, unless they are registered under a special status.
Subject matter
Engineering Geology (GE), Soil Mechanics and Rock Mechanics - its historical evolution and interrelationship. Some historical examples of events that made the knowledge of Geotechnics be born as a scientific area and evolve. Engineering significance of soil and rock - the importance of its identification and forecasting behaviour.
Soils - characterization for engineering purposes. Particle size distribution and plasticity. Atterberg limits. Soil classifications: textural, Unified and AASHTO. Soil types and their geomechanical behavior.
Rocks - characterization for engineering purposes. Simplified lithological classification. Discontinuities and rock masses (RM) - types of discontinuities and its influence on RM behavior. Joints: study methods. Basic Geotechnical Description (BGD) from the International Society for Rock Mechanics.
RM geotechnical classifications for civil and mining engineering purposes - its historical evolution. Main geomechanical classifications of rock mass - RMR index and Q system and its upgrades - SMR, MRMR, RME, Qtbm. The GSI index and its application depending on the type of rock mass. Correlations between classification indexes and estimation of geomechanical parameters.
Geosynthetics as geomaterials - types and functions. Some examples of applications for engineering purposes.
Civil and mining engineering structures and infrastructures - a brief characterization and associated terminology. Sites studies. Studies and project phases - objectives, information sources, study methods and content of the reports. Soil and rock mass zonation and its engineering geological mapping. Main field and lab.characterization methods - the interpretation of its records.
Quality control - some examples. The role of geological engineer in the construction of landfills.
Bibliography
ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA de GEOLOGIA DE ENGENHARIA (1998) - Geologia de Engenharia. Páginas e Letras, Editora Gráfica, São Paulo.
HOEK E., KAISER P. K. & BAWDEN W. F. (1995) - Support of underground excavations in hard rock, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 27-56 e 127-164.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR ROCK MECHANICS (1977) - Suggested methods for the quantitative description of discontinuities in rock masses. Commission on Standardization of Laboratory and Field Tests, Lisbon.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR ROCK MECHANICS (1981) - Basic geotechnical description of rock masses. Commission on Classification of Rock and Rock Masses, Document n. 1, Lisbon.
JOHNSON, R.B. & De GRAFF, J.V. (1988) – Principles of Engineering Geology, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
VALLEJO L. I. G. (ed.), (2002) - Ingenieria geologica. Prentice Hall, Madrid.
Teaching method
Theoretical classes with audiovisual media support.
Practical classes include laboratory works, practical exercises and field trips.
Evaluation method
The final grade will be given by the sum of the results of the following evaluationt components:
- Theoretical and practical evaluation:
First test: 25% of final grade
Second test: 30% of final grade
Third test: 30% of final grade
Minimum grade of 9.5 for all tests; Alternatively, a final theoretical and practical exam will be held (85% of final grade).
- Laboratorial evaluation: Lab test report (15% of final grade); The completion of the report is mandatory.
A minimum of 10 is required as passing grade.
Students must attend on at least 2/3 of the practical classes