Module 1 – Introduction to Engineering Geology

Course & Instructor Essentials

  • Course Code & Title: CE 301 – Engineering Geology (Module 1: Introduction)
  • Program / Department: College of Engineering & Architecture – Environmental and Sanitary Engineering Dept., Technological Institute of the Philippines–Quezon City (TIP‐QC)
  • Instructor: Engr. Ma. Lia M. Mirano
    • Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays ⟶ 09:00 – 10:30 AM (Room Q5502)
    • Contact: m​mirano.ense@tip.edu.ph
    • Consultation hours reported via TIP-VPAA-023 “Faculty Consultation Report” form
  • Immediate Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
    • Recall Earth‐structure components relevant to engineering geology
    • Explain the role of engineering geology in planning & design of engineering projects

Institutional Framework

  • Vision: Empower Filipinos through globally competitive technological education (engineering, computing, allied disciplines)
  • Mission: Digitalization + innovation in teaching to produce graduates who
    • Are fully competent in their fields
    • Apply competencies, mind-set, & values to serve industry or pursue technopreneurship
  • Strategic Objectives (SO)
  1. Maintain highest instructional standards via OBE & accreditation
  2. Create pathways for optimal student outcomes & technopreneurship
  3. Craft responsive, student-oriented policies through stakeholder engagement
  4. Innovate & digitalize for excellence, synergy, sustainability
  5. Harness human resources for value creation
  • Educational Philosophy: Constructivist experiential learning + grit + love for nation → lifelong learners, innovators, problem-solvers
  • Core Values: 1) Continuous improvement & innovation, 2) Collaborative mindset, 3) Community spirit, 4) Service orientation, 5) Positive attitude, 6) Open communication, 7) Digital savvy, 8) Adaptability
  • Core Competencies: Collaboration, TQM, innovativeness, creative management, learning organization, digital competency, quest for excellence

Administrative & Classroom Policies

  • Digital Learning Day: Monday (asynchronous/online learning)
  • Late Submission: Quizzes/assessments submitted late → not accepted
  • AI Detection: If assessment flagged for AI use → maximum grade = 50 %
  • Attendance: Seating plan & attendance strictly monitored
Grading System
  • New vs. Current Grade Equivalents (samples):
    • GPA 1.00⇒99–100%\text{GPA }1.00 \Rightarrow 99–100\%
    • GPA 1.25⇒96–98%\text{GPA }1.25 \Rightarrow 96–98\%
    • …
    • Below 75%⇒5.00 (FAIL)\text{Below }75\% \Rightarrow 5.00 \text{ (FAIL)}
  • Status codes: 6.00 = Officially Dropped, 8.00 = No Credit, INC = Incomplete, etc.
  • Computation Formulae
    • Preliminary Grade: PG=0.5 PE+0.5 CSPPG = 0.5\,PE + 0.5\,CSP
    • Mid-term Grade (approx.): MG=13PG+12(0.5 ME+0.5 CSM)MG = \frac{1}{3}PG + \frac{1}{2}(0.5\,ME + 0.5\,CSM)
    • Final Grade (approx.): FG=23MG+12(0.5 FE+0.5 CSF)FG = \frac{2}{3}MG + \frac{1}{2}(0.5\,FE + 0.5\,CSF)
    (PE = Prelim Exam, CSP = Class Standing Prelim, ME = Mid-term Exam, etc.)
  • Class Standing Components: Quizzes, Assignments, Recitation, “BEER” (possibly Behavior, Effort, Engagement, Responsibility)

Fundamental Definitions

  • Engineering: Application of science & math to harness matter/energy for human use (Merriam-Webster)
  • Geology: Science of Earth’s physical structure, substance, history, and acting processes
    • geo = earth, logos = study
  • Engineering Geology (multiple definitions)
    1. Applied branch of Earth science ensuring safety, efficacy, economy of engineering projects
    2. Combines geoscience information with engineering practice for civil-engineering problem-solving
    3. IAEG (1992): Investigation & solution of engineering/environmental problems arising from interaction between geology and human works—including prediction, prevention, remediation of geohazards

Professional Interfaces

  • Geologists: Study Earth materials, provide data for resources, hazards, construction
  • Geotechnical Engineers: Design foundations, slopes, retaining structures using geologic & soil mechanics principles
  • Geodetic Engineers: Perform high-precision surveying (GPS, mapping) for land & infrastructure
  • Engineering Geologists: Bridge geology & geotechnics; hazard assessment (landslides, faults, sinkholes), mitigation advice

Branches of Geology

Main (Physical) Branches
  • Physical Geology – external & internal Earth features (mountains, rivers, crust, mantle…)
  • Mineralogy – formation, composition, classification, properties, uses of minerals
  • Petrology – origin, structure, and composition of rocks
  • Geomorphology – landform analysis on Earth’s surface (mountains, plains, drainage)
  • Historical Geology – Earth’s past via fossils & stratigraphy
  • Economic Geology – study & extraction of economically valuable Earth materials
Allied Branches
  • Engineering Geology – geologic knowledge in engineering design & construction
  • Mining Geology – exploration & planning of mineral resources
  • Geophysics – Earth’s physical fields (gravity, magnetics, seismology, etc.)
  • Geohydrology – groundwater flow & interaction with geologic media
  • Geochemistry – chemical composition & distribution of Earth materials
  • Rock Mechanics – mechanical behaviour of rocks and sedimentary strata
  • Oceanography – physical, structural & chemical study of oceans

Importance & Relevance of Engineering Geology

  • Underpins development activities: high dams, large reservoirs, long tunnels, railways, highways, multistorey buildings
  • Critical in every project phase:
    • Feasibility & Planning – site selection, cost forecasting
    • Design – foundation choice, slope stability, material suitability
    • Construction & Costing – excavation methods, dewatering, earthworks
    • Safety & Durability – mitigation of landslides, liquefaction, subsidence, seismic risk

Earth as an Integrated System

  • Analogy: Human body systems ↔ Earth systems interacting dynamically
  • Five Principal Spheres
    1. Geosphere – rocks, minerals, and geologic processes
    2. Biosphere – all living organisms & supporting ecosystems
    3. Hydrosphere – liquid water (oceans, rivers, groundwater)
    4. Atmosphere – gaseous envelope surrounding Earth
    5. Cryosphere – frozen water component (ice caps, glaciers, permafrost)
  • Graphic (Fig. 1.1.6) illustrates inter-relationships among spheres
Internal Structure of Earth
  • Crust
    • Continental: ≈25−70 km\approx 25{-}70\,\text{km} thick, complex lithologies
    • Oceanic: ≈5−10 km\approx 5{-}10\,\text{km} thick, basaltic
  • Mantle
    • Extends to 2890 km2890\,\text{km} depth; dense silicate rock
    • Solid yet plastic over geologic time—supports convection
  • Core
    • Boundary at ∼2900 km\sim2900\,\text{km}
    • Outer core liquid iron (blocks S-waves)
    • Inner core solid iron-nickel (generates magnetic field)
  • Atmospheric Layers (temperature ranges in °C; altitudes approximate)
    • Troposphere (0–12 km; weather)
    • Stratosphere (12–50 km; ozone)
    • Mesosphere (50–80 km; meteors burn)
    • Thermosphere (80–800 km; auroras)
    • Exosphere (> 800 km; transitions to space)

Surface Processes: Weathering, Erosion & Denudation

  • Weathering: In-situ breakdown of rock → sediment
    • Physical/Mechanical – size reduction without compositional change (e.g., frost wedging)
    • Chemical – mineralogical alteration via reactions (hydrolysis, carbonation, oxidation)
    • Biological agents contribute to both forms
  • Erosion: Transport of weathered material by
    • Water, wind, glaciers, gravity
  • Denudation: Combined effect of weathering, mass wasting & erosion that lowers relief (turns mountains → plains)
Physical Weathering Details
  • Increases surface area → accelerates chemical weathering
  • Ice (frost) wedging: water expands ≈9%\approx9\% on freezing, enlarges cracks
Chemical Weathering Agents & Reactions
  • Water
    • Polar molecule breaks ionic bonds, dissolves minerals
    • Hydrolysis: feldspar+H2O→clay+ions\text{feldspar} + H_2O \rightarrow \text{clay} + \text{ions}
  • Carbon Dioxide
    • Raindrop absorption forms weak carbonic acid H<em>2CO</em>3H<em>2CO</em>3
    • Acid rain ((H2SO4, HNO_3)) from pollutants accelerates dissolution
  • Oxygen (Oxidation)
    • Example: 4Fe2++3O<em>2→2Fe</em>2O34Fe^{2+} + 3O<em>2 \rightarrow 2Fe</em>2O_3 (rust)
    • Produces red/yellow soils rich in iron oxides
  • Biological Influences: Root respiration, organic acids, ion exchange

Ground Failure: Subsidence

  • Definition: Collapse or sinking of ground due to compaction or void creation in water-saturated sediments
  • Types
    1. Slow Subsidence – gradual, linked to groundwater withdrawal, mining, sediment compaction
    2. Fast Subsidence – sudden, due to collapse of cavities (karst sinkholes, mine voids)
  • Engineering Implication: Differential settlement, structural damage, pipeline fracture; necessitates geologic investigation & monitoring

Assessment & Deliverables

  • Assignment #1 (Due: 05 Aug 2025) • Three questions (300–500 words each) covering:
    1. Inter-disciplinary evolution of engineering geology
    2. Main work activities of engineering geologists
    3. Importance of engineering geology in engineering works
      • Formatting: Times New Roman, 12 pt; include honor code
  • Next-Week Schedule
    • Tuesday: Module 2 – Mineralogy lecture
    • Thursday: Quiz #1 – 40 MCQ + 2 essay from Module 1 only (answers on bond paper)

Practical Links to Prior & Future Learning

  • Builds on basic physics (forces, moments, static equilibrium) introduced in earlier CE courses
  • Provides geologic context essential for Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Water Resources, Environmental Impact Studies
  • Ethical dimension: safe design prevents loss of life/property; sustainability aligned with TIP values (community spirit, service-orientedness)

Real-World Relevance & Examples

  • Philippine context:
    • Frequent earthquakes (Philippine Fault) demand seismic-aware site selection
    • Typhoon-driven rainfall amplifies landslides—necessitates slope stability analysis
    • Metro Manila groundwater pumping → slow subsidence & flooding risk
  • Global projects:
    • Three Gorges Dam (China) – required extensive rock‐mass classification
    • Channel Tunnel (UK–France) – relied on precise engineering geology of chalk marl

Summary Cheat-Sheet

  • Engineering geology = geology + engineering aimed at safe, economical, sustainable works
  • Understand Earth systems (spheres, layers) → anticipate material behaviour & hazards
  • Weathering/erosion sculpt the landscape & create engineering materials (soils, aggregates)
  • Subsidence & other geo-hazards must be predicted & mitigated through site investigation
  • Grading/administration policies demand timely, authentic work; embrace TIP’s core values for success