Practice Of Engineering Geology Research Articles

Evaluation of the Engineering Geology Practice Route Based on Multifactor Reliability Analysis

Engineering geological practice and investigation are important measures for geological fluid and engineering geological research; the practice route has an important impact on the achievement of research objectives. In this study, the practice route is mainly affected by four primary indicators: abundance of geological resources, rationality of the practice route, effect of practice, and the accommodation conditions. The four primary indicators include 13 secondary indicators, and each secondary indicator can be divided into positive and negative random variables, which is the specific content of the evaluation. In order to collect the feedback data of participants on the practice route, a questionnaire was constructed based on indicators at all levels. According to the results of the questionnaire, the mean and standard deviation of each random variable are counted and the distribution law of probability density is fitted. A performance function is constructed to represent the approval status of participants for each indicator. Considering the influence of 26 random variables, a multifactor evaluation method for the engineering geology practice route is proposed based on the reliability analysis method. This method can be used to analyze the approval status of random factors, search for the shortcomings of the route, and provide an effective method to improve the rationality of the route. The conclusion shows that this study provides a solution to evaluate fuzzy problems in engineering geological practice, especially if the problems are difficult to be quantified through experiment or measurement.

Extrem climate engineering geology: Soil engineering properties response to drought climate and measures for disaster mitigation

<p indent="0mm">Due to global climate change, extreme climate events occur in increasing frequency and intensity and act on earth surface in various ways, inducing a series of engineering geological disasters, which seriously affect the sustainable economic and social development, and bring many new challenges to current engineering geology research. There is an urgent need to strengthen the basic research on extreme climate engineering and disaster prevention and mitigation. It has important strategic and practical significance for improving China’s defense and decision-making capabilities when major projects are subjected to climate change and extreme climate events, and for improving China’s comprehensive prevention and control capabilities of natural disasters. It is also an important mission and development direction of modern engineering geology. This paper focuses on how the extreme climate affects geological bodies and major projects, and how to induce disasters from the perspective of engineering geology. In addition, this paper systematically summarizes the research advances of drought climate-induced soil engineering property response processes and catastrophic mechanisms, especially the processes and mechanisms of soil evaporation, shrinkage, and desiccation cracking. Generally, the evaporation process of soil water occurs in three fairly distinct stages: constant rate stage, falling rate stage and residual stage. The constant rate stage occurs when the soil is still fully saturated. The moisture transfer is dominated by liquid flow and mainly controlled by capillary force. The change of soil from saturated to unsaturated state results in the evaporation transition from constant rate stage to falling rate stage. In this stage, the moisture transfers in both liquid and vapor forms and the later one gradually dominates the evaporation process. The evaporation reaches residual stage when the pore water is dominated by absorbed water, and the moisture transfers in vapor form only. The volumetric shrinkage soil is mainly attributed to suction-induced pore size reduction. Based on soil shrinkage characteristic curve, three shrinkage stages can be distinguished: normal shrinkage, residual shrinkage and zero shrinkage. Most of the volumetric shrinkage occurs before the air-entry point while the soil is still fully saturated. The shrinkage direction of soil shows obvious anisotropy, which can be quantified by shrinkage geometry factor. At low degree of compaction, the radial shrinkage strain is higher than axial shrinkage strain, and the shrinkage geometry factor is larger than 3, while it is contrary at high degree of compaction. The reversibility of shrinkage deformation depends on soil suction. Shrinkage deformation is reversible when suction is higher than <sc>113 MPa.</sc> Drying-induced soil desiccation cracking process takes place in three typical stages (i.e., primary cracks initiate, sub-cracks initiate and crack network stabilization), and presents evident time-order characteristics. New cracks always start perpendicularly from the existing cracks. Generally, the initiation and propagation of desiccation cracks show evident dynamic characteristics and significantly depend on soil water evaporation rate, stress state and shrinkage potential. The cracks initiate at constant evaporation rate stage where soil is still fully saturated. The cracking water content can be much higher than liquid limit. Cracking is likely to occur if the tensile stress, which is induced by soil suction or shrinkage constraint, reaches the tensile strength of soil. It is believed that soil suction and tensile strength are the two key mechanical parameters that control the cracking behavior. From a perspective of soil structure, cracking is the result of pore shrinkage and microstructure re-arrangement. The mechanical effect and shrinkage potential are proposed as the two prerequisite factors for crack initiation. Quantitative characterization of crack patterns plays a very important role in understanding the cracking dynamic and mechanism. Image processing technique has been proved as a powerful, efficient and high-accurate tool for quantitative description of crack patterns. In the past decades, systematic research methods for soil cracking have been well established, including testing, monitoring, quantifying, data processing etc. These achievements make up for the research blanks of drought climate disasters in the field of engineering geology, and provide scientific basis for guiding engineering geological practice and disaster prevention and mitigation in arid regions. In the future, in addition to strengthening basic research on climate change and atmosphere-geological body interaction, the related technical research should also be strengthened, such as distributed optical fiber sensing technology, microbial geological engineering technology on nature-based solutions, big data and cloud computing technology, artificial intelligence technology, so as to prevent and mitigate disasters in engineering geology by providing advanced theoretical and technical support.

Interpolation and stratification of multilayer soil property profile from sparse measurements using machine learning methods

Identification of subsurface stratification and characterization of spatially varying soil properties profiles in multiple soil layers are indispensable in geotechnical site investigation. Subsurface soils are often stratified first through visual inspection of soil samples obtained from boreholes or soil behavior type index from cone penetration tests. Then, the soil property profile within each layer is characterized via interpolation of the data points measured within the corresponding layer. Although this stratification first procedure is commonly used in engineering practice, it is difficult to apply when measured data points within each layer are sparse and limited (e.g., only a few data points within each layer), a scenario often encountered in geotechnical site characterization. When the number of measurements within each layer is small, it is difficult to properly interpolate spatially varying soil property profiles in each layer. To address this difficulty and increase the number of data points for enabling proper interpolation, an interpolation first procedure is proposed which utilizes measurements from all layers as input for interpolation, followed by soil stratification using the interpolation results. The proposed procedure includes two key elements: (1) a Bayesian supervised learning method for interpolation of non-stationary data from multiple layers, and (2) an unsupervised machine learning method (e.g., clustering) for soil stratification. An index is also proposed to determine when the proposed method is beneficial and performs better than the stratification first procedure in engineering geology practice. Both numerical and real-life data are used to illustrate the proposed method.

A New Fast and Low-Cost Photogrammetry Method for the Engineering Characterization of Rock Slopes

Digital photogrammetry (DP) represents one of the most used survey techniques in engineering geology. The availability of new high-resolution digital cameras and photogrammetry software has led to a step-change increase in the quality of engineering and structural geological data that can be collected. In particular, the introduction of the structure from motion methodology has led to a significant increase in the routine uses of photogrammetry in geological and engineering geological practice, making this method of survey easier and more attractive. Using structure from motion methods, the creation of photogrammetric 3D models is now easier and faster, however the use of ground control points to scale/geo-reference the models are still required. This often leads to the necessity of using total stations or Global Positioning System (GPS) for the acquisition of ground control points. Although the integrated use of digital photogrammetry and total station/GPS is now common practice, it is clear that this may not always be practical or economically convenient due to the increase in cost of the survey. To address these issues, this research proposes a new method of utilizing photogrammetry for the creation of georeferenced and scaled 3D models not requiring the use of total stations and GPS. The method is based on the use of an object of known geometry located on the outcrop during the survey. Targets located on such objects are used as ground control points and their coordinates are calculated using a simple geological compass and trigonometric formula or CAD 3D software. We present three different levels of survey using (i) a calibrated digital camera, (ii) a non-calibrated digital camera and (iii) two commercial smartphones. The data obtained using the proposed approach and the three levels of survey methods have been validated against a laser scanning (LS) point cloud. Through this validation we highlight the advantages and limitations of the proposed method, suggesting potential applications in engineering geology.

Advances in engineering geology in the UK 1950–2018

Taking the 1950 Geological Society of America Berkey Volume on The Application of Geology to Engineering Practice as the baseline for the world-wide state of the art at that time, this paper examines some of the significant advances in engineering geological practice that have taken place over the intervening period in the UK. The central role of advances in site investigation for development and construction is emphasized, as this can be reasonably described as the core activity for engineering geologists. Here the changes in desk studies, remote sensing, field mapping and various facets of ground investigations are examined. However, it is also necessary to highlight how global developments in communications and computing power have had an enormous impact on engineering geological practice, notably through on-site links between field teams and head office, and the creation of data management systems that allow complex ground conditions to be analysed and modelled. There have also been important improvements in on-site health and safety, the creation of professional qualifications and the adoption of international and national standards for all facets of ground engineering. Finally, some of the challenges engineering geology and its practitioners face in the future are explored, notably the implications of Industry 4.0, the changes that climate change will bring to society, training the next generation and ensuring that engineering geology remains a vibrant and globally recognized profession.

Introduction to the thematic set of papers on: marine engineering geology

The First International Symposium on Marine Engineering Geology (ISMEG2016) was held in Qingdao, China, 21–24 October 2016. The symposium was sponsored by the Marine Engineering Geology Commission, International Association for Engineering Geology and Environment (IAEG-C34) and hosted by the Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering at Ocean University of China. Over 200 researchers worldwide participated in the symposium, which included 13 plenary reports, 17 keynote reports, and more than 40 oral presentations and posters. All papers appearing in this thematic issue of Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment are original scientific papers that have been internationally reviewed, focusing on the marine geohazards, engineering characteristics of marine soil, coastal and ocean engineering, and wave-soil interactions encountered in the latest practice of marine engineering geology.

Interpolation of spatially varying but sparsely measured geo-data: A comparative study

Geological properties usually vary spatially, but they are often measured sparsely in engineering geology practice, particularly for projects with medium or relatively small sizes. Spatial interpolation is, therefore, frequently performed to estimate the geological properties of interest at unobserved locations. Among a variety of interpolation methods (e.g., ordinary kriging (OK), polynomial interpolation (PI), cubic spline interpolation (CSI) and inverse distance weighting (IDW)), OK is one of the widely used methods, and it requires modeling of spatial structure of the measurement data points using a semi-variogram. However, the accuracy of the semi-variogram is affected by data size, and it may give unreliable estimates when the measurement data are sparse. This poses a challenge in applications where the measurement data are sparse, such as site characterization. To address this challenge, Bayesian compressive sampling (BCS) has been recently developed, which is able to reconstruct a complete signal from a remarkably few number of measurement data points on that signal. Unlike OK, BCS does not require characterization of spatial structure from the available measurement data before the interpolation. Therefore, the difficulties associated with modeling a semi-variogram from sparse data in OK are bypassed in BCS. A comparative study is performed in this paper to compare the effectiveness of BCS with OK, PI, CSI and IDW using simulated data and real cone penetration test data. In addition, an approach is presented in this paper to objectively select the most appropriate basis function in BCS. It is found that the BCS method is more suitable and performs better than the OK, PI, CSI and IDW methods when the measurement data are limited and sparse, such as interpretation of geological data or site characterization data.

A review of conventional techniques for subsurface characterization of landslides

Naturally occurring landslides can be difficult to characterize and often exhibit anomalies in controlling geometry and consistency. The characterization of landslides in engineering geology practice is usually based on program of subsurface exploration; focused on identifying subsurface materials, structure and stratigraphy, hydrologic conditions, and appropriate strength parameters. On native slopes bereft of anthropogenic modification (excavation), geomorphic evidence of previous movement and its relative depth and scale are often discernible to the experienced eye. This paper seeks to describe the various techniques that have been successfully employed in site-specific subsurface investigations of prehistoric landslides. These include considerations of limiting geometry (for planning subsurface exploration and sampling), overcoming problems with site access, exploratory trenches, small diameter borings, downhole logging of large diameter borings, and geophysical techniques. These procedures can be combined to develop more realistic cross sections along the vector of maximum landslide movement, so the displaced mass can be realistically analyzed. The respective advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed, with baseline references on subsurface exploration.

DYNAMIC AND EQUILIBRIUM PROPERTIES OF THE INHOMOGENEOUS GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Purpose. The goal of this work is to study the properties of structurally heterogeneous geological mediums by the example of Meotian sediments which form landslide areas of the Odessa coast. Methodology. Acoustic properties of Meotian sediments were investigated in laboratory conditions by sounding of selected samples by ultrasonic pulses at different frequencies. Finding. The results of researches of physical-mechanical and acoustic properties of the samples of Meotian sediments at various depths of occurrence are given. A good co-ordination between the results of sounding rocks and their physical and mechanical properties with the results of theoretical studies of the frequency dependence of the sound velocity and absorption coefficient in heterogeneous media was obtained. The revealed anomalies have indicated that structural nonlinearities determine a character of propagation of the acoustic field in such media. Results. On the basis of analysis of changes in kinematic and dynamic characteristics of elastic wave propagation in rocks, acoustic methods are considered as the most informative ones in engineering-geological practice and in geological survey too.

Local Universities and Colleges of Undergraduate Course Civil Engineering Specialty in Engineering Geological Practice Problems Probing

Engineering geology course is a basic courses in engineering specialty, engineering geology practice is an important link of teaching. But now ,many of the college of engineering geological practice by the teachers and students understanding unclear and practice base of is not fixed, practice such as shortage of funds problems affected exercitation effect. Based on engineering geology internship status, Xuchang university combined with years teaching experience from the curriculum status, writing practice instruction, practice process management, teaching method improvement etc is studied, the good results have been achieved, for academic reference .

Landscape evolution and engineering geology: results from IAEG Commission 22

Commission 22 was set up following the 10th IAEG Congress to provide guidelines for incorporating a geomorphological understanding of landscape evolution into engineering geological practice and this paper presents the findings of the Commission. The concept arose from the recognition that landscapes are not static entities during the design life of an engineering structure and that anticipating the changes that will occur should be regarded as a fundamental component of the ground model developed for a construction project. Whilst not all aspects of long term landscape evolution fit easily with engineering projects that have a 100 years design life, there are shorter term processes that do require careful evaluation and incorporation in a site investigation. Concepts of landform equilibrium, geomorphological process-response systems, geohazards, climate and lithologically controlled landscapes, and complex landform assemblages within a palimpsest context, all provide important input for the creation of a four dimensional ground model as required by good ground engineering practice. These concepts are explored in this paper in relation to themes that have a long history within engineering geology and ground model development: geohazard assessment, reactivation of relict processes, design life, risk registers, reference conditions, effects of climate change, magnitude and frequency of natural processes, and cost benefit analysis. Some thoughts on how landscape evolution might influence construction contracts are also explored and suggestions made on incorporating methods for establishing landscape evolution in site investigations.

Climate change: implications for engineering geology practice

AbstractThe key questions addressed in this paper are: What is climate change? What are the impacts on engineering geology practice? Can engineering geologists contribute to mitigation of climate change? What research areas are engineering geologists involved with? Where should the focus for future research be? Following an overview of the papers presented for the ‘Legacy of the Past and Future Climate Change’ session of the 10th Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, this paper reviews the sources of information and current models of climate change. An overview of some of the potential impacts of climate change on engineering geology practice follows. Attention has been given to areas of active research, the potential impacts on the more routine work of the engineering geologist, and the way in which the engineering geologist can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is concluded that current planning guidance addresses climate change more fully than current engineering practice, and it is considered that there are considerable research areas open to engineering geologists with regard to potential impacts of climate change. More specifically, it has been noted that current engineering practice draws heavily on empirical approaches to design, and it is suggested that this approach should be reviewed in the context of climate change. Attention is given to a number of mitigating measures, such as ground source heat pumps, carbon sequestration, the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ approach to achieving sustainability and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDSs).

William Smith and the development of engineering geology in England

William Smith started his career in a world where much was known of geological matters and, with the publication of Hutton9s Theory of the Earth , knowledge was being tempered by understanding. His early training as a surveyor gave him the skills of accurate observation and recording together with a geographically wide experience that enabled him to recognize that strata could be ordered, and outcrops correlated, by the fossils that they contained. He first recorded this new concept in 1797 and used it to create the world9s first geological map (of the area around Bath) in 1799 and the first geological map of England and Wales in 1815. The national map was not only geologically detailed and accurate but also showed collieries, mines, canals and reclaimed land. Smith9s intention was for it to show where to look for (and not look for) minerals. Thus, his recognition of ordered correlatable strata, his creation of the first geological map, his expertise in draining land, stabilizing landslides and planning canal routes amply demonstrates his ability to create, and apply, the 3D geological model that is a prime requisite in modern engineering geological practice. Therefore, he should be regarded as the first engineering geologist of the modern world. This paper will demonstrate the validity of this assertion.

Groundwater in the Environment: An Introduction, Paul L. Younger , 2007, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK &amp; Malden, Massachusetts, 318 pp., £28.99, paperback. ISBN 1-4051-2143-2

Groundwater is one of the most unruly elements that must be dealt with in the practice of Engineering Geology. Groundwater is found nearly everywhere and is essential to human life. It has always been this reviewer's opinion that every engineering geologist can and should also be a competent hydrogeologist. That having been said, Paul Younger's book is not directed toward hydrogeology; it deals with groundwater in the broadest sense of the term. The entire content of his book will have value to every practicing engineering geologist. The author (Younger) has been trained both as a geologist and an engineer, and in North America he surely would be regarded as a Geological Engineer. He has devoted his entire career to both the science and the engineering of groundwater and his book is a refreshing, non-disciplinary approach to delivering to the reader only what he feels is essential in dealing with groundwater from a scientific and engineering basis. There is little in this book to define the legitimate domains of the hydrogeologist and of the subsurface hydrologist (engineer). So, let us examine the fine qualities of Younger's book on groundwater! Professor Younger presents the subject in eleven chapters, the usual number for ease of assimilation by students as a text, and he claims that his message is basic. In fact, the content is indeed written to benefit either undergraduate geologists or engineers, but most profitably when instructed by a senior groundwater professional. Off campus, the book has definite value to any practitioner, geologist or engineer, …

Geology of Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Geology of Los Angeles, California, United States of America

7th Annual Report on the International Status of Engineering Geology—Year 2001: Encompassing hydrogeology, environmental geology and the applied geosciences

The year was marked by noteworthy advances in multinational consortia of commercial firms and of forward-looking universities. Again, the tenor of the practice of Engineering Geology has picked up. Not to be in the vanguard does indeed mean that one languishes in the dust raised by those on the move. Engineering geologists must understand an infinity of challenges stemming from land development, environmental protection and cleanup and resource development. This is a profession in which age can bring wisdom and increased competence. Most practitioners were busy in 2001; more than 80% of ASFE member companies report that business has increased or stayed the same for the past 6 months. Sixty percent of practitioners expect that their 2002 revenues will be stable or increase for Year 2002.

Development of engineering geology in western United States

Geologic concepts and scientific-technical guidance for the planning-design and construction of engineered works was recognized in Europe by the 1800s and by the early 1900s in North America. This early geologic knowledge and experience provided the rudimentary principles that guided practitioners of the 19th century in serving the emerging projects in western United States. Case studies review the scientific-technical lessons learned and the legacy of geologic principles established in the planning and construction of major civil, mining, and military engineered works in the western states. These contributions to GeoScience knowledge and engineering geology practice include:•Tunnels and aqueducts across active fault zones, beneath young volcanic features, groundwater-charged faults, and land subsidence mitigation.•Controversial foundation design, Folsom and Auburn dams, Golden Gate Bridge.•Protective underground construction chambers, safety dependent geologic setting.•Geologic mapping as database management leasing, maintenance railroad trackway.•Causeway Great Salt Lake, geo-risks calculated, mitigated ‘as-constructed’.•Nuclear powerplants seismic design.•Urban Land-Use, on-going processes, acceptable geo-risks.•Dwelling Insurance, insuree's responsibilities.•Selecting technique/method to mitigate risk, preferably based on extensive database, evaluation of characteristics and historical origin adverse features/conditions that constitute a geo-risk.

Environmental/engineering geology of alluvial settings

Alluvial deposits were recognized as important to mankind's welfare 2500 years ago when collector galleries (kanats) were constructed in Persia beneath alluvial slopes. Furthermore, the 4000-year history of observations along the rivers of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China provided an early understanding of sediment loads, silting, and backfilling of river channels, elements basic to selecting a site for engineered works or locating aggregate sources. Harold Fisk's work (Fisk, 1944, 1947) in the Lower Mississippi Valley developed three-dimensional concepts relative to deposition within large stream valleys and the identification of distinctive features concerned with the origin and active processes. Utilizing Fisk's methods and techniques led to recognition of the sequential depositional history that serves to delimit and map distinctive alluvial units. This systematic unravelling of the younger alluvial history is frequently the all important factor in engineering geology practice. Moreover, Fisk's contributions on the evolution of a major river system provide guidelines to characterize a candidate site, or design and operate an engineered works. Such principles are briefly reviewed in a series of selected geological settings related to major works, such as: (1) The intermontane alluvial valleys of Cenozoic age have a complex sequence of sediments and infilling that is closely related to its structural history which enlarged the basins and accelerated erosion of surrounding terrain. Such deposits may possess substantial groundwater and other resources. (2) Construction of dams and hydrological projects within a deeply-filled alluvial valley is economical today, because of the greatly improved understanding of alluviation, characteristics of the deposits, and stratigraphic sequences common to the environs of a narrow valley. (3) An inadequate understanding of the origin, distribution, and character of alluvial features can result in geological errors of judgment. Boulders in a gravelly unit maybe interpreted as “bedrock” and the design foundation-level for works. (4) The intermixing of fluvioglacial deposits with Holocene sediments throughout 25 km of an ancient river valley resulted in physical changes that impacted tunnel construction beneath the channel. (5) Morainal openwork gravels utilized as a reservoir bank may fail with time due to liquefaction and piping action. (6) Fine-grained alluvial sediments deposited within an ancient abandoned river channel can be a deceptive and dangerous foundation material for major works. (7) Multiple alluvial units can be critical to understanding the depositional history and recency of tectonism.

886388 Evolution and stability of tropical and subtropical hillslopes and their importance in the engineering geology practice : Lopes, J A U Proc 5th International Congress International Association of Engineering Geology, Buenos Aires, 20–25 October 1986V3, P2029–2038. Publ Rotterdam: A A Balkema, 1986

886388 Evolution and stability of tropical and subtropical hillslopes and their importance in the engineering geology practice : Lopes, J A U Proc 5th International Congress International Association of Engineering Geology, Buenos Aires, 20–25 October 1986V3, P2029–2038. Publ Rotterdam: A A Balkema, 1986