Engineering Geological Zoning Research Articles

Small-scale regional engineering geological study of the Czech Republic evaluating the relationship between slope gradients and engineering geological zones

The aim of the small-scale regional engineering geological study of the Czech Republic was to evaluate the relationship between slope gradient and engineering geological zones. The research motivation was to determine the average slope gradient, 25%, 50% (median) and 75% quantiles related to the different engineering geological zones. This scientific information is critical from the perspectives of engineering geology, geotechnical engineering, and foundation engineering because an increasing slope gradient evokes the need to create a cut respectively foundation excavation or another excavation in the geological structure, which increases the probability of occurrence of the problem in terms of differential settlement and bearing capacity of the structures. The research was carried out in the territory of the Czech Republic in 8 Quaternary zones with soil foundation ground and 10 pre-Quaternary zones with rocks and semi-rocks and their eluvia. A significant difference in the statistical characteristics of slope gradients was found in the group of Quaternary engineering geological zones (evaluated group I) compared to the group of pre-Quaternary zones (evaluated group II). The value range of the average slope gradient was 1.65° (16.9%) to 5.89° (60.3%) for the Quaternary engineering geological zones (soil foundation ground), representing 43.4% difference. Whereas for the over-quaternary engineering geological zones (rocks, semi-rocks and their eluvia), the difference was much higher, 3.59° (36.8%) to 9.76° (100%—value determined as a referential because it was the maximum), which is also reflected in a more significant percentage difference of 63.2%.

Multi-Scale Engineering Geological Zonation for Linear Projects in Mountainous Regions: A Case Study of National Highway 318 Chengdu-Shigatse Section

In response to the challenges of long crossing distances and difficult site selection for linear engineering projects in mountainous areas, this article proposes a multi-scale engineering geological zoning (EGZ) method. This method is based on the linear engineering construction stage and transitions from regional EGZ to EGZ of key sections (areas with poor or worst engineering geological conditions). This method not only ensures the effect of EGZ but also reduces the workload. When carrying out the EGZ of key sections, the assessment ideas of geological disaster hazards were taken into consideration. An improved method for calculating the time probability and magnitude probability of disaster occurrence is proposed. Taking the National Highway 318 Chengdu-Shigatse section as an example, EGZ was carried out. Its results revealed that the Nyingchi section was the key section with poor and worst engineering geological conditions. EGZ of the key section showed that the areas with poor and worst engineering geological conditions were mainly distributed in the curved sections on the northern side of the linear project. The proposed method in this article provides guidance for EGZ for linear engineering projects in mountainous areas.

Surface runoff as a complicating factor of engineering geological conditions. design models by the example of Moscow

Climate change leads to changes in the volume and distribution of precipitation between seasons. Since water influences the course of most exogenous processes, the task of studying the formation of the connection between surface runoff and the spread of hazardous geological processes becomes relevant. A map of engineering and geological zoning, which is used in Moscow not only for design, but also in the current activities of services responsible for ensuring the safety of the operation of municipal services and environmental protection, was adopted as the initial information. The task is carried out on the Unified Digital Platform of Moscow in ArcGIS. The surface runoff model created on the basis of radar topographic survey is supplemented by methods for determining accumulation and depression zones, which makes it possible to identify areas of excessive soil moisture. Analysis of the intersection of zones of influence of surface runoff with taxa of engineering geological zoning makes it possible to quantify the distribution of connected objects, types of hazardous geological processes in zones of excessive moisture and adjust the assessment of the complexity of engineering geological conditions. As an example, the main regularities of the possible impact of surface runoff on increasing the risk of hazardous geological processes on the territory of cemeteries, cultural heritage sites and specially protected natural areas of Moscow are highlighted. It is proposed to use the methods of formation and analysis of the connection and the designed zones of influence of surface runoff in design, and monitoring systems, and in the current activities of city services.

Geological-genetic structure of Irpin city, the role of lithological factors during engineering-geological zoning and construction assessment

The scheme of engineering-construction assessment created based on engineering-geological zoning of the city’s territory is desirable among additional graphic materials in the design of master plans projects as determined by building regulations. Engineering-geological zoning provides for different ranks’ selection of engineering-geological units (EG units), which have a particular range of common engineering-geological conditions that ultimately determine the construction sites’ affiliation to a specific suitability category. Geological-genetic structure of Irpin city of Kyiv region (Ukraine) is explored in this article. A variant of the creation of a large-scale engineering-geological map and corresponding geological-lithological sections by supporting boreholes in the borders of the city based on the engineering-geological survey conducted is presented. The obtained result allowed the selection of engineering geological zoning units – engineering geological districts by general conditions of geological development and subdistricts by engineering-geological complexes of Quaternary rocks’ thickness. The analysis of soils’ geomechanical properties (engineering-geological elements) lays the foundations for the selection of engineering-geological sites based on the comparison of this information with geomorphological, hydrogeological and geodynamic data. Accounting of geological-lithological factors in the preparation of the construction assessment scheme in the project of Irpin city’s master plan has become the ultimate result.

Hydrogeological conditions of Irpin and their influence on the city’s engineering protection and construction assessment

The scheme of engineering-construction assessment, which is created based on engineering geological zoning of the city’s territory is desirable among additional graphic materials in the design of master plans projects as determined by state building norms [State…, 2012]. Engineering geological zoning provides for different ranks’ selection of taxonomic engineering-geological (EG) units, which have a particular range of common engineering geological conditions that ultimately determine the construction sites’ affiliation to a specific suitability category. Geological-lithological structure and hydrogeological conditions of the Irpin city, Kyiv region are investigated, and the types and degrees ofgroundwater aggressiveness, chemical composition, and mineralization of groundwater, the depths of the first aquifers from the day surface are highlighted in this article. A variant of the creation of large-scale maps of groundwater depth and chemistry based on a hydrogeological survey conducting is presented. The analysis of hydrogeological circumstances of the city’s territory lays the foundations for the selection of engineering-geological sites based on the comparison of this information with geomorphological, engineering-geological and geodynamic data. Complexity assessment of hydrogeological conditions and accounting of hydrogeological factors for the construction assessment scheme and selection of corresponding measures of engineering training and protection of the problem construction sites has become an ultimate result.

Stability Evaluation of Massive Landslides Using Ensembled Analysis of Time-Series InSAR and Numerical Simulation along the Yellow River, Northwestern of China

Loess landslides are a major geological disaster in the southeastern Qinghai Province, causing huge economic losses and casualties. The particularity of loess determines the disaster initiation mechanism, disaster mode, genetic mechanism, and complexity of the evolution process. This paper studies the deformation and stability analysis of the Quwajiasa large-scale multislip loess landslide in the Yellow River Basin from the perspective of field investigation, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) monitoring, and numerical simulation. This study determines the deformation characteristics and genetic mechanism of the landslide through on-site field investigation, then quantitatively evaluates the overall deformation of the landslide using InSAR monitoring, locates the strong deformation area, and finally determines the control relationship between the two sliding surfaces on the landslide deformation using FLAC3D numerical simulation, obtaining the stability coefficient of the two sliding surfaces. The landslide is divided into seven engineering geological zones. The deformation history of the landslide is studied using InSAR technology. Results show that the landslide can be divided into significant deformation areas and no significant deformation areas. Two strong deformation areas are found. The FLAC3D numerical simulation results show that the deformation and stability of the right side of landslide are controlled by sliding surface 1, and the deformation and stability of the left side are controlled by sliding surface 2. The landslide is in an unstable state overall. The research done in this paper proposes a basis for the treatment of the Quwajiasa landslide.

Activation of exogenous processes within the Kama region local structures of the red-colored terrigenic formation

Introduction. On the example of a number of exogenous processes that are essential in the formation of engineering-geological conditions, the dependence of their activation on the intensity of tectonic fracturing within local structures is shown. The reason for the activation of these processes was the previous stages of hypergenesis, which led to a decrease in the strength characteristics of rocks during the formation of local tectonic structures and the emergence of high stress zones in massifs. Research objective is to evaluate the role of local structures tectonic fracturing in the activation of exogenous geological processes and confirm the correctness of their relationship. Methods of research consist in analyzing the location of exogenous processes activation zones within local structures and comparing these zones with areas of intense fracturing. The correctness of unfavorable areas identification was controlled by changes in the state of rocks and by fracture maps built according to a previously developed technique. Results obtained made it possible to confirm the previous conclusions about the influence of tectonic fracturing on hypergenesis processes activation at the level of the state of the rocks that make up the massif, which eventually became the cause of exogenous processes activation in the same areas of intense fracturing. The research findings make it possible to use the method of identifying zones of high fracturing and hazardous geological processes activation as the basis for large-scale engineering-geological zoning in massifs under similar conditions.

Engineering-geological zoning of the central area of the Upper Kama Potassium–Magnesium Deposit in view of salt karst propagation

With a view to geological and environmental safety of the central area of the Upper Kama Potassium–Magnesium Salt Deposit, the engineering-geological zoning is performed to identify karst-sensitive land. The zoning is based on two most fundamental factors: hydrogeology and neotectonics. Evaluation of the first factor consisted in determining the thicknesses of suprasalt deposits and the size of fresh groundwater zone by analyzing the data of exploration wells and other geological and hydrogeological materials, as well as calculating the thickness of the separating stratum corresponding to the interval of deposits from the top of the salt stratum to the lower boundary of the zone of fresh groundwater. The analysis of the second, neotectonic, factor was associated with the identification of increased fracturing zones in rock mass based on the grouping of faults and lineaments obtained from the interpretation of cosmic and aerial photographs, as well as from the construction and analysis of digital elevation models during field route observations. The comparison of two factors made it possible to zone the territory of research into areas with different degrees of protection of the salt stratum from the potential development of karst: high, medium and low. Within the areas with a low degree of protection, the further detailed studies of the hydrodynamic regime of groundwater and their interaction with the host rocks are necessary. The described method of engineering-geological zoning can find application to provide natural and technological safety in underground mining areas. The results obtained can be used in design of systems of special-purpose geodetic and hydrogeological monitoring.The research was carried out under the state contract, Topic No. AAAA-A19-119021190076-9.

ГЕОДИНАМІКА

The article is aimed at conducting the engineering-construction assessment of Irpin town of Kyiv region. It is based on the engineering-geological zoning of the settlement, which provides the allocation of different-level taxonomic units with a set of natural and anthropogenic factors of construction conditions from the largest unit (engineering-geological region) to the smallest (sites and subsites). Engineering and geological surveying and mapping became the main research methods. The main result of the study was a comprehensive comparison of data on the geomorphological, geological-genetic structure, hydrogeological conditions, soils’ composition and properties of Irpin. It ultimately provided an opportunity to build a large-scale synthetic map of engineering-geological zoning and engineering- construction assessment of the town. The study identified eleven engineering-geological sites with appropriate characteristics of natural and anthropogenic factors of construction conditions factors, including have been identified, among which six sitesare unfavorable for construction. The scientific novelty of the above research lies in the application of engineering-geological zoning as a basis for engineering-construction assessment, which is not limited to the selection of planning restrictions of an engineering-geological nature. For the first time the novel method of engineering-geological subsites’ selection is based on the principle of taking into account natural hazards and morphometric characteristics of the relief. They reflect the degree of erosion dissection, potential for the of modern relief-forming processes’ manifestation and soil erosion. The practical aspect of the conducted research consists in creating a high-quality scheme of engineering-construction assessment, supplementing the scheme of existing planning restrictions, selecting optimal and economically justified measures for engineering preparation and territories’ protection against dangerous geological processes. Engineering-geological zoning allows you to determine safe places for the accomodation of engineering structures, their structural features, choose rational types of foundations, reduce the cost of survey and construction work and generally improve the design’s quality.

Engineering and geological zoning of the Malmyzhsky deposit weathering crusts (Svoboda area)

Introduction. Interest in the study of weathering crusts arose at a time when geological engineers faced the problem of developing open pits formed by eluvial soils. However, the exact and detailed division of the weathering crusts into engineering-geological zones, especially when studying mineral deposits, is not given due attention even today. Therefore, in the course of prospecting, it is important to correctly determine weathering crust type and profile, and establish the possibility of changing the engineering and geological conditions when opening the rock mass by mine workings for further slope stability prediction of the designed mining structures. Research aim is to determine vertical engineering-geological zoning of the Malmyzhsky deposit weathering crusts (Svoboda area) and identify patterns in alluvial deposits physical and mechanical properties change, which define the safety of mine development. Methodology. A significant number of Russian and foreign scientists have considered the formation of weathering crusts from different positions. They established the geochemical zoning and engineeringgeological zoning of the weathering crusts. Results. The article describes the Svoboda area at the Malmyzhsky gold-copper-porphyry deposit. Engineering and geological zoning of the weathering crust section was carried out according to a set of features, including structural and textural features, mineral composition, physical and mechanical properties of rocks. Within it, three zones are identified at the Malmyzhsky field, the Svoboda area: IV – dispersed, III – litomarge, and II – clastic. Physical and mechanical properties of rock building up the considered weathering crust have been analyzed proving that change in geological conditions within even one zone of the Malmyzhsky gold-copper-porphyry deposit (Svoboda area) entails a change in the choice of projected pit wall angles.

Application of Machine Learning for Prediction of Cone Penetration Test Data

The article discusses the use of machine learning to obtain predictive data of cone penetration tests of soils using the example of studying the geological environment of the Kazan city. The cone penetration test is one of the most popular and widely used types of field tests of soils. As a source material, a database of the physical and mechanical properties of soils and the database on cone penetration tests of soils of various genesis were used. The territory of the city of Kazan was considered separately for each terrace of the Volga river in accordance with the basic principles of engineering-geological zoning. For modeling of the dependence of parameters of cone penetration tests on soil properties was performed using machine learning. Mathematically, the problem was formulated as regressive - need to find functions that closely approximate field test data. As a result, it was found that the dependences obtained as functions of the cone resistance qc have very good convergence. This shows a good prospect of using machine learning to obtain real correlation dependencies, and therefore, to reduce the cost of engineering-geological surveys.

Geological information database integration into a geographic information modeling system

The article is devoted to the geological information database integration in the Vladikavkaz city into a specially developed system of geoinformation modeling. With the high technologies’ development, various geographic information systems designed for collecting, storing, analyzing, and graphically visualizing spatial data and the related information about the objects represented in GIS have become widespread. A map of the engineering-geological zoning of the Vladikavkaz city territory has been created at the Geophysical Institute, covering the issues of the geological structure, hydrogeological conditions, lithology, morphology, tectonics and the distribution of various types of soils in the territory under consideration. There are areas on the territory characterized by different depths of pebbles or thicknesses of clay and loam on pebbles, which is the main parameter that determines the seismicity category according to Building Codes and Regulations-II-7-81*. Based on the physical and mechanical properties‘ analysis, the reliable differentiation of soil groups with various determining indicators characterizing the soils‘ category by their seismic properties has been carried out. This information is collected in a database of geological information generated in the form of a shape file with spatial reference of each well. The developed database is used as a basis in the geographic information modeling task. Based on epyopen source software, the integration of the geological information database in the Vladikavkaz city into the geographic information modeling system has been performed.

Engineering and Geological Zoning of the Residual Soil of the Malmyzhsky Deposit (Svoboda Site)

Interest to the study of residual soil arose at a time when geological engineers faced the problem of developing the open pits in the eluvial soils. A significant number of Russian and foreign scientists considered the formation of weathering crusts from different points of view. They established the geochemical zoning, and engineeringgeological zoning of the weathering crusts. However, no comprehensive and detailed engineering-geological zonation of the crusts of weathering, especially when studying mineral deposits, was given due to the insufficient attention paid to it until today. Therefore, it is important to correctly determine the type and profile of the residual soil in order to establish the possibility to control the engineering and geological conditions when exposing the rock mass during excavation work for further forecasting the slope stability of the projected open pit mining structures

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ КОМБИНИРОВАНИЯ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ВЫЕМКИ РУД В ПРЕДЕЛАХ РУДНОГО ПОЛЯ

Актуальность исследования. Статья посвящена актуальной проблеме совершенствования технологии разработки сложно-структурных месторождений скального типа для увеличения производства содержащихся в рудах редких и ценных металлов, дефицитность которых возрастает с развитием научно-технического прогресса. Цель исследования – определение условий совмещения систем разработки разных классов для увеличения возможностей селективизации добычных работ при использовании различных вариантов извлечения руд в смежных добычных участках. Методика исследования. Основу исследования составляет экономический расчет возможных вариантов совмещения в пределах рудного поля на основе полученных экспериментально сведений о рудовмещающем массиве. Результаты. Дана характеристика условий залегания руд на конкретном скальном месторождении сложной структуры. Произведено инженерно-геологическое районирование рудовмещающего массива с дифференцированной оценкой геолого-структурных нарушений по величине и направленности. Дан прогноз возможного по аналогии с практикой поведения горных выработок под влиянием разломных структур и макротрещин. На уровне экспертной оценки определена целесообразность применения слоевой или камерной систем разработки с закладкой технологических пустот твердеющими смесями. Выводы. Эффективность выемки руд достигается селективизацией выемки запасов в пределах одного рудного поля при комбинировании систем разработки при максимальном учете геолого-структурных факторов локализации руд и механо-физических свойств рудовмещающих пород.

ТИПИЗАЦИЯ ИНЖЕНЕРНО-ГЕОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ УСЛОВИЙ ТЕРРИТОРИИ ТРАССЫ ПРОЕКТИРУЕМОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗНОЙ ДОРОГИ ЭЛЕГЕСТ–КЫЗЫЛ–КУРАГИНО

Актуальность исследования обусловлена разработкой проекта первой железной дороги в Тыве, которая должна связать Тыву с Красноярским краем. Трасса планируется в сложных инженерно-геологических условиях. В статье представлена типизация инженерно-геологических условий территории трассы. Инженерно-геологическая оценка территории необходима для того, чтобы поддержать процесс принятия решений по размещению сооружений, а также чтобы строительство объектов осуществлялось с меньшим отрицательным воздействием на окружающую среду, сопровождалось снижением опасности и ущерба как для строительства, так и в целом для общества и экономики. Целью данного исследования является типологическое и региональное инженерно-геологическое районирование территории с учетом последних работ по изучению инженерно-геологических условий трассы. Объектом исследования является геологическая среда района проектируемой трассы Кызыл–Курагино. Рассмотрены основные природные компоненты, влияющие на формирование инженерно-геологических условий: геоморфологические и тектонические условия; литологический состав; физико-механические свойства пород, гидрологические, гидрогеологические и мерзлотные условия района, экзогенные и эндогенные геологические процессы. Методы: краткий обзор литературных источников и анализ информации, полученной из фондов изыскательских организаций, определение признаков и методики районирования. Все информационные слои о природной среде обрабатывались, затем объединялись для получения единой инженерно-геологической карты с характеристикой районов. Результаты. Выбраны классификационные признаки геологической среды, и составлена карта районирования инженерно-геологических условий участка трассы, дана характеристика выделенных таксонов. Выводы. Дана характеристика основных факторов региональной инженерно-геологической обстановки, и приведены результаты районирования на основе принципа формационного анализа и типизации инженерно-геологических условий территории.

Engineering geological characteristics of Danube right bank between Kozloduy and Gorni Tsibar

The geotechnical properties of soils (clays of the Brusarci Formation and loess complex) spread over the area of Danube right bank between the town of Kozloduy and the village of Gorni Tsibar have been determined. Complex landslides and river erosion are the most important geodynamic processes in the study area. Engineering geological zoning has been carried out, with two separated zones. The second zone is characterized with most complicated geotechnical conditions due to distribution of both old landslides and recently landslide activation in some sub-zones.

Инженерно-геологическое районирование с использованием ГИС объектов обустройства скважин Чураковского нефтяного месторождения

In this work, the location of the karst sinkholes not recorded during field work was mapped using satellite imagery data. Based on GIS, engineering-geological zoning of the territory was carried out by the method of distance from the nearest surface karst occurrence. The results of the sinkholes density analysis of the territory conducted using the sliding window method are presented. The complex engineering-geological zonation of the territory was carried out according to the complexity of the engineering-geological situation.

Results of engineering geological zoning of Belarus territory by the abrasion risk at water reservoirs in the context of global climate change

The paper shows the reasons for the intensification of risk-forming processes in Belarus caused by "aging" of existing and the arrangement of new water reservoirs. The shores of new reservoirs located in the territory of Belarus, intensively used in the national economy and densely populated, are actively reprocessed by abrasion, leading to the development of abrasion risk. The length of the abrasion coasts has increased by more than 20 km recently, which undoubtedly has an impact on the surrounding areas, causing loss of land and economic facilities. The goal of the work is to update the regional zoning of the country's territory according to abrasive risk, which should be taken into account in the forecast calculations of the sustainable development of regions based on entirely new principles and assumptions.
 In this work, we used the data of long-term (covering more than 40-year-long period) field observations of the author over the abrasion process and the results of a science-based analysis. We propose (using the failure tree) an abrasion risk development model and indicators characterizing the abrasion risk, taking into account the global climate change and related warming, affecting the dynamics and extent of the process of destruction and deformation of the coast. Based on a theoretical study of the mechanism for forming the dynamic equilibrium profile of abrasion coasts and the equilibrium coastline, a criterion is suggested that characterizes the stability and development of the equilibrium profile of the coastal slope required for zoning the Belarus territory by abrasion risk.
 Based on the generalization of the observation results for Belarus water reservoirs and the use of the proposed indicators, we performed zoning of the country’s territory by the abrasion risk, which is of practical importance for making management decisions and designating engineering measures to prevent and mitigate risk in water bodies, as well as minimizing their effects.

A small-scale map analysis of the engineering-geological zone and landscape element dependencies for the land-use planning purposes in the Czech Republic

The aim of the article is to describe the connections among the engineering-geological zones and landscape elements on the level of a small-scale map analysis of a whole country. Next, it also brings quantified spatial information on the distribution of the different engineering-geological zones in the Czech Republic (CR) in relation to landscape elements as such information is strategic for engineering, agricultural, and forestry activities of different countries. The information is crucial for scientists and land-use planners, including the limiting conditions of the distribution of certain geological environments within a country, which helps to calibrate the activities and adjust to the environments. This study reports the results of an overlay analysis of engineering-geological zones of the Czech Republic and of landscape elements (Corine). However, the major aim was not the overlay analysis itself, but an analysis of the obtained information from the whole-country perspective. Existing GIS database of engineering-geological zoning maps and CORINE Land Cover for Czech Republic in Arc/INFO GIS format was used to be data source. All data were available as polygons. For data combination, we have used GIS tool Intersection, by which we have combined data from two data layers. Resulting layer and its database were then processed; areal extent and percentage for every class were calculated. The quantification is strategic for researchers, land-use planners, developers, and designers as they may pay better attention to the most widespread engineering-geological environments in a country, and thus possibly eliminate damage arising from identical attention being paid to all geological environments. Each country should pay attention to their geological environments based on spatial distribution, and in relation to the landscape element percentages.

To the problem of engineering construction of territories assessment based on local natural and technogenic factors (Reni district, Odessa region as an example)

This article is devoted to the problem of influence of local natural and technogenic factors on the engineering geological conditions change of building sites, the Reni district of Odessa region as an example. In the article the analysis of geomorphological, tectonic, lithological, hydrogeological, geodynamic factors in the limits of Reni district has been done that determines the definition of building sites as ones of the complicated category by engineering geological conditions . Taking these factors into account helps to carry out more precisely and qualitatively engineering geological zoning of research area and to allocate especially dangerous sites for construction development.