Engineering Geology (HMIE 512)

Fieldwork

Engineering properties of rocks

Discontinuity Surveys
Dr. A. Mamuse

Midlands State University

Department of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering

May 2017

Dr. A. Mamuse. MSU. Mutare. May 2017. 1

 Discontinuity surveys
• Method of collecting discontinuity data varies
according to type of access to rock mass:
– Drill hole core
• Fracture logging of drill core
– Exposed rock surface
• Scanline sampling
• Window sampling
• Face sampling

Dr. A. Mamuse. MSU. Mutare. May 2017. 2

 Scanline sampling
• Setting up:
– Extend a metric tape across an exposure
– Level the tape
– Securing tape to the face of the exposure
• Use a datasheet or a computer to record discontinuity characteristics,
including:
– Intersection distance
• Distance in metres to intersection point with discontinuity
– Orientation
• Dip and dip direction of discontinuities
– Semi-trace length
• Distance from intersection to end of discontinuity
• 2 semi-lengths for each discontinuity, one on either side of scanline
– Temination
• I: terminates in intact rock
• A: terminates at another discontinuity
• O: termination obscured or beyond limits of exposure
– Surface characteristics
• Roughness
• Curvature
• Other features recorded on logging sheets:
– type of discontinuity,
– nature of infill,
– aperture,
– water flow,
– slickensides
– etc. Dr. A. Mamuse. MSU. Mutare. May 2017. 3
Discontinuity Survey Datasheet

Dr. A. Mamuse. MSU. Mutare. May 2017. 4

 Task
• Constitute yourselves into 4 groups

• Each group will be allocated a road cutting exposure undertake a discontinuity survey

• Each group should collect and sign for the following equipment:
– 1 Measuring tape
– 1 geological compass
– 1 geological hammer
– 1 GPS unit
– 3 data logging sheets

• Undertake a detailed survey over a 30m distance

– Take at least 200 structural measurements
– Complete the datasheets in full

• Write up: write a geotechnical report (3 pages typed text) of the survey, including:
– Photographs
– Stereographic plots
– Slope stability assessments
– Engineering measures to curb instability
– All other relevant information
– Purpose of discontinuity surveys
– Errors associated with the surveys and how these maybe corrected

Dr. A. Mamuse. MSU. Mutare. May 2017. 5