Fundamentals of engineering geology

obligatory courses

Engineering geology is a division of geological and engineering knowledge. Engineering geology is solving engineering and environmental problems which are results of interaction of subsoil and structures or land development, as well as forecasting and preventing of geological hazards.

Engineering and environmental problems as a result of interaction of subsoil and structures - geological hazards: forecast and prevention. Models of engineering-geological environments - statistic criterion of soil heterogeneity. Site investigations of subsoil. Engineering-geological documentation. Projects, documentations and maps. Quantitative assessment of geodynamic processes: weathering, frost susceptibility (frost heaving), deformations due to filtration, mass movements of soils and rocks, karst, transformation of water reservoir slopes, drainage deformation (subsidence). Soil dynamics. Soil dynamics. Computer map of engineering-geological conditions.

The lecture is designed to acquaint a student with:

• defining the role of engineering geology as a science,

• the history and origins of engineering geology in the world and in Poland,

• the scientific and professional organizations in the field of engineering geology in the world and in Poland,

• statute of the International Association of Engineering Geology and Environment, and the Polish Committee Engineering Geology and the Environment PKGIŚ,

• the place and role of engineering geology in the science and geological practice,

• basic definitions in engineering geology: engineering-geological environment and its models,

• relationship between engineering geology and geotechnics and geo-engineering,

• types of civil structures and building engineering,

• relationship between buildings and their engineering-geological environment,,

• fundamentals of documentation of engineering-geological environment,

• basics of using GIS in engineering geology,

• concept of geomaterials,

• fundamentals of soil science,

• physical and mechanical parameters of soil,

• concept of geostatic stresses in soils,

• assessment of natural and forced variability of physical and mechanical properties of soils,

• assessment of the suitability of various laboratory and field tests to determine the engineering-geological environment condition,

• the concept and meaning of geological hazards for assessing engineering-geological environment,

• examples of failures and disasters of civil structures due to incorrect evaluation or the use of geo-engineering environment.

The classes are concentrated on:

• fundamental of soil studies: macroscopic description, plasticity of soil, size particle analysis,

• determination of basic physical parameters of soils: moisture content, density and weights of soil,

• calculation of the basic physical parameters of soil,

• assessing the variability of physical parameters of soil on the basis of statistical analysis,

• geostatic stresses calculation: total stress, effective stress and pore water pressure,

• fundamental studies of mechanical properties of cohesive soils using simple devices,

• the use of computer technology in selected problems of engineering geology - computer lab.

After completing the course (lectures and exercises) a student:

- knows the role of engineering geology in the system of geological sciences,

- knows definition of engineering geology,

- knows the basic relationship between engineering geology and geotechnics and geo-engineering

- knows professional and scientific organizations in the field of engineering geology in the world and in Poland,

- knows the basic concepts of engineering geology,

- knows and understands the concept of engineering-geological environment

- know the definitions of building and basic types of civil structure,

- knows the basics and principles of engineering-geological mapping,

- know the definitions and can determine the basic physical properties of soil,

- knows and understands the principles of effective stress in the soil,

- calculates the geostatic stresses in the soil,

- knows and is able to determine and calculate the basic parameters of the shear strength of soil,

- is able to quantify the variability of basic physical parameters of soil,

- knows the possibilities of application of GIS in engineering geology,

- can identify geological hazards in the engineering-geological environment.

The assessment of the course is based on the sum of the points obtained from:

- all the reports from the classes,

- a written test on the classes,

- a written test on the lectures.

The written test consist of closed (optional), open and problematic questions. In case of a failure, there is a possibility of to re-take each test.

Requirements:

- classes' reports need to be realise timely and correctly, the written test on the classes can be started after completing the classes' reports.

- attendance at the classes - a maximum of three absences during the whole semester are allowed, a fourth absence causes the student to fail the classes ,

- to pass the course, a minimum of 51% of the sum of all points (possible to obtain from the reports, the test on the classes and the test on the lecture colloquium) is required to pass the class.

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