Geology for Ground Engineering Projects

Bridges the Gap between Geology and Ground Engineering High-quality geological models are crucial for ground engineering projects, but many engineers are not always at ease with the geological terminology and analysis presented in these models, nor with their implications and limitations. Project engineers need to have a sound comprehension of the geological models presented to them, and to be able to discuss the models in so far as they might impinge on the design, safety and possible budgetary or time constraints of the project. They should also fully understand how site investigation data and samples are used to develop and substantiate geological models. Geology for Ground Engineering Projects provides a comprehensive presentation of, and insight into, the critical geological phenomena that may be encountered in many engineering projects, for example rock contact relationships, weathering and karst phenomena in tropical areas, composition of fault zones and variability of rock discontinuities. Examples are provided from around the world, including Southeast Asia, Europe, North and South America, China and India. Comprehensive and well-illustrated, this definitive book: Describes the important geological phenomena that could affect ground engineering projects Provides a practical knowledge-base for relevant geological processes Addresses common geological issues and concerns Rocks are described in relation to the environment of their formation, highlighting the variation in composition, distribution and geotechnical properties that can be expected within a variety of rock associations. Case studies, where geology has been a vital factor, are included. These are written by the project engineers or geologists responsible for the projects. Geology for Ground Engineering Projects is well illustrated with color diagrams and photographs. Readers are directed to satellite images of selected areas to explore for themselves many of the geological features described in this book.

IntroductionFramework of the BookThe Geological ModelSite Investigation SamplesGeological FundamentalsEngineering ConsiderationsGeological TimePlate TectonicsSea Level ChangesGeological HistoriesStratigraphic NomenclatureGeological MapsEngineering ConsiderationsTypes of Geological MapMaking a Geological MapGeological Map InterpretationSedimentary RocksEngineering ConsiderationsSedimentary EnvironmentsDiagenesisSedimentary Rock CharacteristicsClastic Sedimentary RocksBiological Sedimentary RocksChemical Sedimentary RocksIntrusive Igneous RocksEngineering ConsiderationsComposition of Intrusive Igneous RocksTexture and Fabric of Intrusive Igneous RocksPlutonic RocksDyke RocksExtrusive Igneous RocksEngineering ConsiderationsGeometry of Volcanic DepositsComposition of Volcanic RocksLavasPyroclastic DepositsStructures within Hot Volcanic RocksLaharsFumarolesMetamorphic and Hydrothermal RocksEngineering ConsiderationsContact MetamorphismDynamic MetamorphismHydrothermal AlterationVeinsFaultsEngineering ConsiderationsFault GeometryFault Systems, Arrays and ZonesFault CompositionDiscontinuitiesEngineering ConsiderationsCompositional LayeringJointsJoint CharacteristicsFoliationFoldsEngineering ConsiderationsFold NomenclatureFold ClassificationFold GeometryTransposition StructuresWeathered RocksEngineering ConsiderationsSaproliteDuricrustWeathering ProfilesWeathering CharacteristicsClays in the Weathering ProfileKarstEngineering ConsiderationsKarst MorphologyKarst DepositsSuperficial DepositsEngineering ConsiderationsAlluviumColluviumShallow-Water Marine DepositsWindblown DepositsLake DepositsEvaporite DepositsGlacial DepositsPeatReferences

Chris J. N. Fletcher is a consulting geologist based in Wales. He graduated from St Andrew’s University in Scotland, and then moved to Canada to complete an MSc at Queen’s University and a PhD at the University of British Columbia. Most of his career has been with the British Geological Survey, both in the UK and overseas. He then became director of the Hong Kong Geological Survey and later managed his own geological consulting company. He was an Honorary Professor at universities in Hong Kong and China, where he presented graduate and professional development courses.