B. SC.

PROJECT

Course Name Course ID Prerequisites

B. SC. PROJECT EEG 499 EEG 399

Course Description

A topic will be selected, within the fields of engineering geology or environmental

geology, by the student under the supervision of a department member. The student is
expected to carry out an investigation and perform tests both in the field and laboratory,
write a scientific report and present his findings in a public lecture (Field trip for 21
days).

Course Objectives

The project represents the final harvest of the student’s learning during his B.Sc. years in
the university. The project is routed towards the student minor specialty of Engineering
and Environmental Geology.
Therefore, the scope may be routed towards the following:
• Site investigation for roads, buildings, dams, bridges, retaining walls, slopes, and
tunnels.
• Geological hazards: Slopes failure, flooding, collapse, subsidence, and sand dunes
movement.
• Waste disposal
• Soil and rock pollution.
• Foundations
• Environmental issues,
• Urban, industrial planning and general application of land use techniques.
Field work and Time:
Field study should be no less than three weeks (3 weeks). The student will tackle his
project in the following manners:
1. Mapping of the site based on:
• Surface classification of soils and rocks using geological maps and images
of the selected site using surface in-situ testing.
• Subsurface classification of soils and rocks using indirect methods
(Geophysical) and direct methods (boring and drilling) using available
teaching equipments or from other sources if available.
2. Sampling:
• Disturbed samples
• Undisturbed sampling

3. In-situ testing: In-situ testing of the geotechnical properties of soils and rocks.
4. Laboratory tests and data analysis:
Laboratory tests include physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks
that were brought from the field. Lab testing will require 4 to 6 weeks.
5. Report writing:
The student will learn how to write a geotechnical report as in the following
sequence:
• Introduction (aim, scope, and previous studies).
• Geological and morphological setting of the site under investigation.
• Methods of investigation.
• Results of field and laboratory tests investigation.
• Discussion and conclusion.
• References
• Report writing will be 4 to 6 weeks.

General References for the Course: (Books/Journals…etc.)

Students in this course can read from:

1. Description of Rock Masses for Engineering Purposes, by GSA London, 1977.
Q.J. Eng. Geol. Geological Society (London) Engineering Group Working
Party,. vol. 10, pp. 355-388.
2. International Society for Rock Mechanics, by ISRM, 1980. Basic Geotechnical
Description of Rock Masses (BGD), Commission on classification of rocks
and rock masses, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. & Geomech. Abstr., Vol. 18,
pp 85-110.
3. Recommended Symbols for Engineering Geological Mapping, by IAEG, 1981b.
Commission on Engineering Geological Mapping. Bull. Int. Assoc. Engng.
Geol., 24, 227-234.
4. Report of the IAEG Commission on Site Investigation, by IAEG, 1981a. Bull. Int.
Assoc. Engineering. Geol., 24, 185-226.
5. Rock and Soil Description and Classification for Engineering Geologcal
Mapping, by IAEG, 1981c. Bull. Int. Assoc. Engng. Geol., 24, 235-274.
 6. Standard Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil
Classification System), by ASTM, 1993. Designation D 2487-93.
7. The Preparation of Maps and Plans in Terms of Engineering Geology, by GSA
London, 1972. Geological Society Engineering Group Working Party, Q. J.
Eng.. Geol., 5 (4), 293-382.

List of URLs for this Course

• http://www.soilenhance.com/improvement.cfm
• http://soils.ag.uidaho.edu/soilorders/histosols_05.htm
• http://www.usask.ca/geology/labs/rockmech/index.html

Course Outcome

The student is in a position to write a geotechnical report, collect data, and use applicable
computer software. He will also learn the following:
1. Student can do the site investigation
2. Student can write the geological hazard report.
3. Student can know the environmental issue
4. Student can do the data processing.