Lecture 1

A Brief Outline of Geo Science and Civil Engineering and Geology Comradeship

Dr. K. Vijaya Kumar School of Earth Sciences SRTM University, Nanded 431 606 Maharashtra, INDIA (E-mail: vijay_kumar92@hotmail.com)

INTRODUCTION The Science of Geology deals with Understanding the Processes and Products of the Earth Distribution of the Products in different Spheres of the Earth (Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere) Interaction between different spheres Principles governing the distribution of Earth Material and interaction between Earth Spheres

GEOLOGY: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE

Every branch of science has progressed based three distinct approaches through which we conduct science: Observation of natural material, Theoretical calculation and Experimental evidence. The growth of Geological thought is also assisted by these three approaches with observation of natural phenomenon playing a dominant role. Geology is essentially studying and understanding the Earth material. For the sake of convenience, different branches are formulated in geology fundamentally based on the scale at which we study them. We study at micro to nano level to understand the arrangement of atoms in different mineral structures under Crystallography or we study the planet Earth as a whole under Geodesy. With the advent of newer technologies and sophisticated instruments our understanding of Earth material has undergone a huge change in recent years. For example, spatial technologies have greatly helped us to identify large-scale Earth features and an instrument like SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe) gives us the age of formation of a huge terrain from very tiny Zircon (a zirconium mineral) grains. For understanding the characteristics of Earth material and their distribution in different spheres we utilize knowledge of other fundamental branches of science including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and economics among others. That makes Geology a truly multi-disciplinary science.

FUNDAMENTAL BRANCHES OF GEOLOGY Mineralogy: study of rock constituents or minerals Crystallography: deals with the atomic structure of minerals and their external appearance. One fundamental role in crystallography is external structure of a crystal is a reflection of internal atomic arrangement Petrology: systematic study of rocks and their origin. It consists of Petrography (identification, description, and classification of rocks) and Petrogenesis (study of origin of rocks)

Paleontology: study of life of past geologic periods and evolution of plants and animals Hydrogeology: study of underground and surface water Geomorphology: study of landforms, their origin and development Stratigraphy: study of layered rocks, mostly those of sedimentary origin Structural Geology: deals with the position of rock bodies, their deformation, and fracturing Geotectonics: Plate motions and interactions Geochemistry: application of principles of chemistry to the study of the Earths material and its distribution in different spheres Geophysics: application of principles of physics to the study of the Earth. It consists of Geomagnetics (study of Earth's magnetic field), Gravity (study of Earths gravity field) Seismology (study of earthquakes) and Geoelectricals (study of Earths electrical conductance) and combination of these methods Geodesy: study of the form and size of the Earth Oceanography: study of oceans and basins

APPLIED BRANCHES OF GEOLOGY Engineering Geology: Relationship between geology and engineering Economic Geology: Prospecting and Exploration of Ore Deposits; Ore is economically useful rock/mineral Agricultural Geology: Grain to grain relationship Petroleum Geology: Formation of petroleum products and their exploration Medicinal Geology: Grain to health relationship Military Geology: Terrain Analysis and Geophysical parameters

CIVIL ENGINEERING: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TECHNOLOGY

Civil Engineer designs and creates structures for human benefits, safety and progress and for optimal utilization and management of Earth materials (we call them natural resources). To put it simply, a Geoscientist Understands the Earth Material and a Civil Engineer Excavates and Utilizes the Earth Material. For better utilization of Earth material, it is mandatory to have knowledge of its properties. Therefore, a proper understanding of different types of Earth materials, their properties, distribution and interaction helps the Civil Engineer to create structures that will stand the test of time.

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY "Engineering geology is an interdisciplinary field in which pertinent studies in geology and other geosciences areas are applied toward the solution of problems involved in engineering works and resources uses Application of geologic data, techniques, and principles to the study of naturally occurring rock and soil materials or subsurface fluids is the fundamental part of Engineering Geology. The purpose is to assure that geologic factors affecting the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of engineering structures and the development of groundwater resources are recognized, adequately interpreted, and presented for use in engineering practice.

COURSE OBJECTIVE Geologic features have short and long-term consequences on the performance of various engineering structures and projects. Therefore, it is essential to understand fundamentals of geology. The Course is all about the basics of Geology and their application to Civil Engineering.