Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 27
6. REFERENCE ....................................................................................................... 28
1
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
LIST OF FIGURE
5 Phyllite 12
6 Amphibolites 13
7 Quartz 14
8 Schist 15
9 Granite 16
10 Marble 17
11 Gneiss 18
12 Strike Line 19
13 Component of Atitude 20
14 Brunton Compass 20
15 Fold 22
16 Graded Bedding 27
2
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Geology is an applied science, which deals with hills and mountains, valleys and Georges, and
along lonely forests and rugged terrain. In geological fieldwork examination of the outcrops of rock,
bodies upon the earth surface are carefully studied in details and reasonable inference on the geological
structure and history of the region are drawn. With good approach to the geology and reasonable
common sense of logical interpretation, one can form a neat picture of the geology of the region.
The two days from 29th of Magh to 1stof Falgun we were taken to Malekhu for geological study.
First day, we learnt about the river morphology, identification of rock and also were taught to handle
the geologist compass i.e. Brunton Compass to measure dip direction and dip amount. On the second
day, we learnt about identification of rock and different geological structures like fold, fault, etc. This
performance was very effective for knowledge and experience. However the two days trip was not
sufficient to fulfill the thirst of us.
Study of geological works of river and erosional and depositional landforms developed by the
action of running water
Study of rocks in hand specimen
Handling of geological compass and measurement of attitude of geological planar feature
(bedding plane, foliation plane, joint plane, etc).
Study and hand identification of geological structures (Fold, Fault, Thrust, Joint, etc.)
Malekhu lies on lesser Himalayan unit of Nepal. The Malekhu V.D.C. of Dhading district lies
about 70 Km south west of Kathmandu valley and is located at latitude of 270 50' 38'' to 270 45' 50'' and
longitude of 240 49' 5'' to 840 50' 50. It is situated on the bank of Trishuli and Malekhu River. The
Trishuli River is running from the eastern direction to the western direction and the Malekhu River
from south to north which mingles into the Trishuli River. Climatically Malekhu is a sub-tropical zone.
Mainly the rainfall is during the monsoon.
3
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Chapter-1
River Channel Morphology
Physical geology is basically about the study of the earth dynamics. The changes in the earth are
caused by either exogenous or endogenous process. Meanwhile, river water is one of the epigen agents
(exogenous agents) that bring changes in the landform of the earth.
Appearance of river channel and the study of its external feature are known as morphology of
river channel. In most cases the tendency of river is to flow towards the sea. The highland or the
mountainous regions from where the river originates is called its head region. From the head region, the
river flows through gradually decreasing slopes and then through almost flat lands before it actually
empties into the sea. The place where a stream or river empties into the sea is called its mouth.
The geological works of geological agents can thus be classified into 3 major categories which are;
A. Erosion
B. Transportation
C. Deposition
The study of channel pattern and the channel geometry at several points along the river channel,
along the network of tributaries along the drainage basin which is known as river channel morphology.
A. Straight River
It follows straight path
Found in the area of competent rock where erosion rate is high
River velocity is high
Found in higher Himalaya region of Nepal
Example: Arun River, Bhotekoshi River
Merits:
Hydropower establishment (high gradient)
Short span bridges
B. Meandering River
The river follows zigzag path
Erosion & deposition rate is more or less equal
Found in moderate relief area
Velocity of river is medium
Found in lesser and sub Himalaya (siwaliks) region of Nepal
Example: Karnali River, Budigandaki River & Trishuli
Merits:
Availability of construction materials
4
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
C. Braided River
The river bifurcates
Energy level of river is extremely low
Rate of deposition is high
Found in Terai area of Nepal (low lime area)
Example: Narayani River
Merits
Easy availability of construction materials
Due to erosional and depositional behavior of the river, various landforms could be created which
may be classified under two heads;
A. Erosional Landforms
These are landforms created due to erosion behavior of the river and can be further classified
into following types;
i. Pot hole
Found due to continuous striking of water in the surface thereby causing some holes
Example: Davis Fall
iii. Gorge
These are deep narrow structures found within the mountains in the riversides which are
called gorge.
Example: gorges by Arun and Seti River
vi. Waterfall
These are alternative layers of soft and hard rocks.
B. Depositional Landforms
vi. Terrace
These are abandoned flood plain which signifies the deep cutting of river thereby giving
a clue of geological history of the area.
6
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location No: 1
The location lied at old way to Dhading Besi at about 300m from the suspension bridge located at
Trishuli River.
Objective:
Study of geological works of river and erosional and depositional landforms developed by the
action of running water
Morphology observed at/near the Trishuli River
Meandering features observed
Fine aggregate situated in lower level or below the coarse aggregate causing graded bedding.
Deposits of boulder size deposits in the river terrace.
Small delta landforms observed at the junction of Trishuli River
7
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Chapter 2
Rock Identification
OBJECTIVE
Study of rocks in hand specimen
Rock is defined as the natural solid aggregate of minerals forming the crust of the earth. The
earth lithosphere is made up of rock. In general there are three types of rock. They are:
A. Igneous Rock
B. Sedimentary Rock
C. Metamorphic Rock
A. Igneous Rock
Primary or first formed rocks are called igneous (Latin, Ignis=Fire) rocks. The
consolidation of magma results in the formation of igneous rocks. The magma remains in the
molten state as long as its physical and chemical environments remain unchanged. But
whenever some changes (pressure, temperature etc) takes place, the magma no longer remains
in molten state, but is changed into solid state called rock. Those rocks which are formed
directly by the solidification of magma on the earth's surface or below it are called igneous rock.
They dont contain the primary structural planes nor do they contain fossils.
B. Sedimentary Rock
The sedimentary rocks are those rocks which are derived from the consolidation of
sediments of the preexisting rocks (igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic) under the influence
of mechanical, chemical or organic activities of the denuding agents (i.e. wind, running water,
glacier etc.).
The products of wear and tear of the rocks due to natural agencies like blowing wind,
running water, etc when subjected under favorable conditions to sedimentation and subsequent
compaction results in the formation of rock masses due to pressure and temperature conditions
which are known as the sedimentary rocks. Bedding Plane is found in these types of rock.
C. Metamorphic Rock
These rocks formed from the pre-existing rocks (igneous or sedimentary) by the
processes of metamorphism (Greek, Meta=Change, morphe=form). It is a process by which
existing rocks are modified under the influence of heat, pressure or both.
8
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 2:
The Location Lies to the old way to Dhading Besi at about 300m from suspension bridge located at
Trishuli River towards Dhading Besi.
Sample No-1.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color Gray
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Foliation
4 Cleavage Slaty
5 Grain Size Fine
6 Specific Gravity Medium
7 Acid/Hammer Test Scratched by hammer
8 Mineralogical Biotite , Quartz , Moscovite, Mica, Clay minerals
Composition
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Slate
11 Engineering Properties Strength: Low
Drillability: High
Blastibilty: Low
12 Engineering Uses Roofing
13 Geological Unit Benighat Formation
Fig 3: Slate
9
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 3:
The Location Lies to the old way to Dhading Besi at about 280m from suspension bridge located at
Trishuli River towards Dhading Besi.
Sample No-2.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color White
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Bedding
4 Grain Size Fine
5 Specific Gravity Medium
6 Acid/Hammer Test Scratched by hammer
7 Mineralogical Calcite
Composition
8 Rock Type Sedimentary
9 Identification Limestone
10 Engineering Properties Strength: Low
Drillability: High
Blastibilty: Low
11 Engineering Uses Used in aggregate, in cement, as a binding material
12 Geological Unit Malekhu Formation
Fig 4: Limestone
10
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 7:
The location lies at the right bank of Malekhu River, downstream of river, at about 400m from broken
bridge.
Sample No-3.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color Grey
2 Texture Non-Crystalline
3 Structure Foliation
4 Cleavage Slaty
5 Grain Size Fine
6 Specific Gravity Low
7 Acid/Hammer Test Not Applicable
8 Mineralogical Biotite, Moscovite, Quartz, Chlorite, Cericite
Composition
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Phyllite
11 Engineering Properties Strength: Low
Drillability: High
Blastibilty: Low
12 Engineering Uses Dry wall, cladding etc.
13 Geological Unit Robang Formation
Fig 5: Phyllite
11
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 8:
The location lies at the right bank of Malekhu River, downstream of river, at about 400m from broken
bridge.
Sample No-4.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color Dark Green
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Foliation
4 Cleavage Schistosity
5 Grain Size Fine to Medium
6 Specific Gravity Medium to High
7 Acid/Hammer Test Not applicable
8 Mineralogical Quartz, Biotite, Moscovite, amphibole group of minerals
Composition
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Amphibolites
11 Engineering Properties Strength: high
Drillability: Low
Blastibilty: High
12 Engineering Uses Construction materials, in aggregate
13 Geologic Unit Robang Formation
Fig 6: Amphibolites
12
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 9:
The location lies at the right bank of Malekhu River, downstream of river, at about 400m from broken
bridge.
Sample No-5.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color White
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Granulose
4 Cleavage Absent
5 Grain Size Fine to Medium
6 Specific Gravity Medium
7 Acid/Hammer Test hammer scratched by rock (Acid test is applicable being mono-
minerallic)
8 Mineralogical Composition Quartz
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Quartz
11 Engineering Properties Strength: High
Drillability: Low
Blastibilty: High
12 Engineering Uses Foundation material
13 Geological unit Dunga Formation
Fig 7: Quartz
13
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 10:
The location lies at the right bank of Malekhu River, downstream of river, at about 600m from broken
bridge.
Sample No-6.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color Dark Grey
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Foliation
4 Cleavage Schistosity
5 Grain Size Fine to Medium
6 Specific Gravity Low to Medium
7 Acid/Hammer Test Not applicable
8 Mineralogical Quartzite, Moscovite, Chlorite, Biotite, Garnet
Composition
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Schist
11 Engineering Properties Strength: Low
Drillability: High
Blastibilty:Low
12 Engineering Uses Paving and Dry wall
13 Geological unit Radhuwa Schist
Fig 8: Schist
14
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Location 11s:
The location lies at the right bank of Malekhu River, downstream of river, at about 1000m from broken
bridge.
Sample No-7.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color White
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Massive Interlocking
4 Grain Size Coarse
5 Specific Gravity High
6 Acid/Hammer Test Not Applicable
7 Mineralogical Quartz, Plagioclase, Orthoclase, Biotite, Moscovite, Tourmaline
Composition
8 Rock Type Igneous
9 Identification Granite
10 Engineering Properties Strength: High
Drillability: low
Blastibilty: High
11 Engineering Uses Foundation, Flooring , Aggregates
12 Geological Unit Agra granite
Fig 9: Granite
15
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Sample No-8.
S.N. Physical Properties
1 Color White
2 Texture Crystalline
3 Structure Granulose (preferred orientation and interlocking)
4 Cleavage Absent
5 Grain Size Medium
6 Specific Gravity High
7 Acid/Hammer Test Not applicable
8 Mineralogical Feldspar, Quartzite, Biotite, Muscovite
Composition
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Marble
11 Engineering Properties Strength: High
Drillability: Low
Blastibilty: High
12 Engineering Uses Foundation, Roofing
13 Geological Formation Kulekhani Formation
16
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Sample No-9.
S.N. Physical Properties Sample No.9.
1 Color Grey
2 Texture Crystallite
3 Cleavage Gneissosity
4 Structure Gneissic
5 Grain Size Medium
6 Specific Gravity High
7 Acid/Hammer Test Not Applicable
8 Mineralogical Feldspar, Quartz, Biotite, Muscovite
Composition
9 Rock Type Metamorphic
10 Identification Gniess
11 Engineering Properties Strength: High
Drillability: Low
Blastibilty: High
12 Engineering Uses Foundation ,Roofing etc
13 Geological Unit Malekhu Formation
17
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Chapter 3
Geological Compass And Its Handling
Objective
Handling of geological compass and measurement of attitude of geological planar structure,
bedding plane, foliation etc
Theory
Attitude
Attitude can be simply defined as 3-D orientation of any geological structure such as bed, joint,
fault. It is defined by their strike, dip and dip direction.
Components of Attitude
1. Strike
The strike line of bed, fault, or any planar structure is imaginary line representing the
intersection of that feature with horizontal plane. It is given as quadrantal bearing or in azimuth
bearing.
N-S Strike Line E-W strike Line Strike inclined at certain angle to north
3. Dip Direction
It is the direction of inclination of geological planes. It is always at right angles to the
horizontal.
There are two different kinds of dip True dip and apparent dip.
The steepest or maximum angle made by the top surface of inclined rock with horizontal
i.e. true dip.
The inclination from a any other direction than that of true dip is called apparent dip.
This value is always less than the true dip.
18
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
1. Brunton compass
It consists of sprit level and can measure bearing and inclination with relatively less
error.
2. Clinometer compass
This compass can measure bearing and orientation with two sets. Since it doesnt
contain the sprit level, it should be leveled by approximation and may not be accurate.
19
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
3. Clar compass
It can read both inclination and bearing at once and relatively easier to handle.
4. Digital compass
Displays digits as reading
Easy to handle.
Among the above mentioned compasses we used Brunton compass. We used it to measure
dip direction and dip amount of the rock bed.
The work was done on location 4 on the first day of our geology tour. The observation was done
in a well exposed of rock bed in its bedding plane and joint. The dip direction and dip amount of the
structures were determined and the following observations were made:
20
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Chapter 4
Geological Structures
Objective
Study and Identification of Geological Structures (Folds, Faults, Joints, etc)
Location No. 5
The location lies at the right bank of Malekhu River at the distance of about 250m upstream
from broken Malekhu old bridge.
Fold
Fold is the secondary structure which forms due to deformation of rock in ductile manner instead of
fracturing, they may bend or fold. Folds may be developed in any type of rock and may be of any shape
and geometry ranging from simple up arched bends or down arched curvature. The process of folding is
very slow geological process.
Parts of fold
A. Limbs
B. Hinge
C. Axial plane
A. Limb
These are the side or flanks of a
fold. An individual fold will have
maximum two limbs which are
commonly the right limb and left
limb.
B. Hinge
The limbs intersect at the tightest
part of the fold called the hinge
(maximum curvature). It is also
known as Fold axis.
C. Axial plane
It is the plane passing through the
fold axis or hinge of the fold.
Classification of Folds
Fold can be of variety of form .Some Fig 15: Fold
may be quite simple and clearly developed whereas other
may be highly complex and complicated in their geometry and morphology.
Basically, Fold can be of two types according to their form, they are as follows:
A. Anticline
B. Syncline
21
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Apart from them, fold can be classified according to position of axial plane, orientation of hinge
line and axial surface and inter limb angle.
A. Anticline
These are the folds where the strata are up arched i.e. these become convex upward. The core
contains the oldest rock strata and youngest rocks are found at outer flanks. The highest part of
anticline is called crest. An anticlinorium is a series of anticlinal folds on a regional scale anticline.
B. Syncline
The fold in which the strata are down arched and become the convex downward form is called
syncline. Younger rock occupies the core, and the older rock are at the outer flanks .The limbs dipped
toward a common centre. The lowest part of the syncline is called trough .The synclinorium is a series
of synclinal folds on a regional scale syncline.
The upfolded structure are anticline and the down folded are syncline. The anticline and
syncline are formed in series i.e. the limb of anticline is also the limb of the adjacent syncline.
The classifications of fold based on the position of axial plane are listed below:
1) Symmetric fold
2) Asymmetric fold
3) Overturned fold
4) Recumbent fold
5) Isoclined fold
6) Chevron
Depending upon the nature and direction of stresses the axial plane in the resulting folds may
acquired any position. It may be incline, vertical or horizontal.
1) Symmetric folds
If the two limbs of the fold dip away from the axis with the same angle, the fold is said to be
vertical .The axial plane is said to be vertical.
2) Asymmetric fold
If the two limbs of the fold dip away from the axis with the different angle or if the dip amount of
limbs differ with each other, then it is called asymmetric fold. The axial plane is inclined.
3) Overturned fold
The fold with inclined axial plane in which both the limbs are dipping essentially in same general
direction is called overturned fold.
4) Recumbent fold
The fold in which axial plane is horizontal is called recumbent fold.
22
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
5) Isoclined fold
If the compressional stress that causes folding are intense ,the fold can close and have limbs that
are parallel to each other is known as isoclined fold .The dip of both limbs are equal and so are the axial
planes which can be vertical or inclined.
6) Chevron
A fold that has no curvature in its end and straight sided limbs that form zigzag portion is called
chevron.
Location 5
The location lies at about 250m from the broken bridge at left bank of upstream of Malekhu Khola.
Methodology
First of all, the dip direction and dip angle of the planes on two sides of the fold was measured.
With the plane firstly pointing the north direction of the compass towards the dipping direction of the
rock touch base of compass on plane, the bulls eye was centered an value of dip direction was
measured. Then, for the measurement of dip angle the compass was turned 90 with whole rectangular
part on plane of rock. Then by rotating the screw on bottom of the compass the bubble on the barrel
shaped (or cylindrical) Clinometer level was centered. Then the value of dip angle was noted from the
graduated scale placed over for declination measurement.
Measurement
Right Limb
Attitude 350/59
Left Limb
From data and direct observation, the properties of fold were seen:
Anticline fold
Asymmetric fold
Plunging
Repetition of strata
Identification of fold in field
a) Local or small scale folds are directly observed in curve slopes during the excavation.
b) By measuring the attitude of beds.
c) Large scale folds are recognized in field by plotting the attitude in the map and their conservation.
23
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
FAULTS
Faults can be defined as any brittle deformation induction fracture where there has been
movement of the blocks on either sides of the plane. Since, folds do not consists of a single clean
fracture, the term fault zone is used referring the zone of deformation . The two sides of a known
vertical fault are known as hanging wall and foot wall. The hanging wall occurs above the fold plane
and footwall occurs below.
Generally, we can't determine with site of a fault has moved or we can tell is relative motion
between them.
Types of fault
Faults are classified generally based on their geometry and origin.
1. Dip slip fault
It is the type of fault in which the movement is mainly parallel to the dip of the fault
surface. Normal, reverse thrust faults are the examples of dip slip fault.
Normal fault
Reverse fault
Thrust fault
3. Oblique fault
A fault which have the component of dip slip and the component of strike slip
4. Vertical fault
24
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
It is the fault in which the fault plane is right angle to the horizontal surface. In this kind
of fault, we cannot determined the hanging wall and footwall.
Effects of faulting
Faulting is essentially a cross of rupturing and displacement along plane of rupture.
The effect of fault may involve:
Change in evolution of ground
Omission of strata where they are normally expected.
Repeating of same strata in the given direction against the normal order of superposition.
1. Presence of slickensides.
2. Presence of Fault breccia and fault gauge.
3. Normal sequence of rock strata are disturbed in the area of faulting.
4. Repetition and omission of strata.
5. Displacement of rock strata can be seen.
6. Number of springs may occur in almost same line.
7. Presence of hot springs.
Location 6
The location lies at right bank of Malekhu River about 500m upstream of the broken bridge.
Identification of Fault:
For the conformation for area to be fault zone, highly crushed rocks were noted initially. The by
locating the gauge of the fault, fault gauge and fault breccia were confirmed due to the presence of
black material and sugar cubes. By the observation on the field, following properties were also
conformed:
25
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
Graded Bedding
The term grading is applied to individual beds or lamina used to describe a progressive change
in grain size from base to the top of a unit. The grain size within a graded bed ranges from coarser at
the bottom to finer at the top (normal grading) and finer at the bottom to coarser at the top (Reverse
grading).
CONCLUSION
26
A FIELD REPORT ON ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
REFERENCE
27