CE011 – Geology for Civil Engineers

Week 3
Topics

❑ Mineralogy
▪ Introduction to Crystallographic Systems
❑ General Physical Properties of Minerals
❑ Properties and Formation of Rock-forming
Minerals
Mineralogy - Introduction to
Crystallographic Systems

Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss what is mineralogy and its relevance to
different engineering projects.
2. Differentiate the different crystallographic
systems.
Minerals
➢ homogeneous
➢ naturally-occurring
➢ solid
➢ definable chemical
composition
➢ orderly arrangement of atoms
➢ generally inorganic
Mineralogy
➢ Study of Minerals
➢ Mode of formation, composition, occurrence, types, association,
properties uses , and others, of minerals
➢ IMPORTANCE:
▪ maintaining standard of living coesite
▪ enriching lives with inherent beauty
▪ comprise the data bank
Kinds of Minerals
❖Native Elements
▪ not chemically combined with other elements but occur in the
free state
 Sulfo-salts

Kinds of Minerals Iron pyrate

Sphalerite
❖ Sulfides
▪ based on the
sulfide ion, S2–
▪ Some are Orpiment
mined as
sources of
such metals
as zinc, lead,
copper, and
tin
Cinnabar
Copper Iron Sulfide
Kinds of Minerals
❖ Oxides
Zincite
▪ based on the oxygen
anion, O2–

Corundum Cuprite

Pyrolusite
Hematite
Kinds of Minerals
❖Sulfates
▪ have the polyatomic sulfate ion, (SO4)2–
▪ Hydrous Sulfates and Anydrous Sufates
▪ Examples:

Chromates Baryte
Gypsum
Kinds of Minerals
❖Carbonates
▪ based on the carbonate ion, (CO3)2–
▪ tend to dissolve relatively easily in water (acid water) and natural
rain water (slightly acid)

Calcite Borates Nitrate

Kinds of Minerals
❖ Halides
▪ halogen element as the anion (F–, Cl–, Br–, I–, At–)
▪ often formed through evaporation of the water

Fluorite
Sodium chloride
Kinds of Minerals
❖ Silicates (SiO4)4–
▪ most common minerals in the earth’s crust and mantle
▪ Range from simple to complex molecular and crystalline structure

Garnet
Silica
Quartz Zircon
 tungstate

Kinds of Minerals
❖ Phosphates, tungstate, phosphate
urinates
molybdates, urinates,
vanadates, arsenates
and others
▪ made up of oxygen plus
nonmetals and metals such
as phosphorous, tungsten, molybdates
arsenates
molybdenum, uranium,
vanadium, or arsenic

vanadium
List of Minerals
➢ Click here:
http://www.geologypage.com/minerals
Recall. . .
➢
Relevance
➢ Some rocks / stones / minerals used in building construction
➢ They map the surface distribution of minerals
➢ Study specimens from drillings of several kilometers depth in
the earth’s crust
Relevance
Relevance
Crystallographic Systems
➢ Crystallography
▪ study of the crystal lattice structure of minerals

basic formation
that the atoms
symmetrical masses or ions make to
with definite angular form crystal
geometric shapes
 • Isometric

• Tetragonal

• Hexagonal

• Orthorombic

• Monoclinic

• Triclinic

Crystallographic Systems
 Structure Examples
Isometric halite, magnetite, and garnet.
Tetragonal zircon and cassiterite
Hexagonal calcite, dolomite, low quartz,
and tourmaline
Orthorombic olivine and barite
Monoclinic pyroxene, amphibole,
orthoclase, azurite, and
malachite, among many others
Triclinic plagioclase and axinite

Crystallographic Systems
General Physical Properties of Minerals

Learning Outcomes
1. Enumerate different physical properties of
minerals
2. Enumerate different properties of minerals
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ COLOR
▪ may be diagnostic for a few
minerals, but in general, minerals
can have a range of colors
▪ Iridescence (rainbow colors)
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ STREAK
▪ color of the pulverized powder of
a mineral
▪ More consistent than color
▪ Found by scraping a mineral
against a porcelain plate
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ LUSTER
▪ the way a mineral’s surface scatters light
▪ Classy / Vitreous Luster
▪ Metallic Luster
▪ Pearly Luster
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ HARDNESS
▪ measure to resist scratching / abrasion
▪ represents the strength of bonds in the crystal lattice
▪ Friedrich Mohs : Mohs Hardness Scale (Qualitative Scale)
▪ Talc (softest) to Diamond (hardest)
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ SPECIFIC GRAVITY
▪ weight of a substance divided by the weight of an equal
volume of water
▪ A way of expressing density (weight/volume)
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ CRYSTAL SHAPE / STRUCTURE
▪ mineral’s consistent shape

Blade-like / Elongated
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ CLEAVAGE
▪ tendency of a mineral t break along a plane of weakness in
the crystal lattice
Planer Cleavage of Mica
▪ produces flat, shiny surfaces
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ FRACTURE
▪ the mineral breaks in no consistent manner
▪ Equal bond strength in all directions
▪ Types:
• Conchiodal fracture - The broken surfaces shows concentric rings
Or curved surface.
• Even fracture - When the broken surface is smooth and flat.
• Uneven fracture - When the mineral breaks with an irregular
Surface. It is a common fracture of many Minerals.
• Splintery structure - When the mineral breaks with a rough.
Physical Properties of Minerals
➢ DEGREE OF TRANPARENCY
▪ depends on the chemical composition, impurities present,
inclusions, weathering, and also on thickness.

➢ TENACITY
▪ balances, flexibility, elasticity, sectility and malleability etc.
Special and Other Properties of Minerals
➢STRIATIONS
▪ Commonly found on plagioclase feldspar. Straight, parallel lines
on one or more of the cleavage planes caused by mineral
twinning.
Special and Other Properties of Minerals
➢ DOUBLE REFRACTION
▪ Seen in calcite crystals. Light is split or refracted into two
components giving rise to two distinct images.
Special and Other Properties of Minerals
➢MAGNETISM
▪ Property of a substance such that it will spontaneous orient
itself within a magnetic field. Magnetite (Fe3O4) has this
property and it can be used to distinguish it from other non-
magnetite iron oxides, such as hematite (Fe2O3).
Properties and Formation of Rock-
Forming Minerals

Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss how minerals are formed
2. Differentiate Quartz Family, Feldspar Family,
Augite, Hornblende, Biolite, Muscovite, Calcite
and Garnet among each other
QUARTZ FAMILY
• the most abundant mineral
in Earth's crust
• extremely resistant to
weathering
• highly resistant to physical
and chemical weathering
• used to make time pieces
because it vibrates at a
precise frequency
FELDSPAR FAMILY

• The most abundant group of

minerals in Earth's crust.
AUGITE
• common rock-forming
mineral of dark-colored
igneous rocks
• the most abundant
pyroxene mineral, can play
an important role in the
composition of gabbro,
basalt, diorite, and andesite
PYROXENE GROUP
• group of dark-colored rock-
forming minerals found
in igneous and metamorphic
rocks throughout the world.
They form under conditions of
high temperature and/or
high pressure.
• Examples of individual
pyroxene minerals that hold
a place in industry and
commerce
HORNBLENDE
• common rock-forming
mineral found in igneous and
metamorphic rocks
• a group of dark-colored
amphibole minerals
AMPHIBOLE GROUP
• It shows double chain silicate structure
• Rich in calcium, magnesium, iron oxide and Mn, Na,
K and H
BIOTITE
• group of black mica minerals
found in igneous and
metamorphic rocks
MICA GROUP
• Form sheet like structure
• Can be spilt into very thin sheets along one direction
• Aluminum and magnesium are rich
• Occupy 4% of earth crust
MUSCOVITE
• most abundant mica is used
in a variety of construction
materials and manufactured
products
CALCITE
• unique properties of calcite
make it suitable for a variety
of uses
• principal constituent
of limestone and marble
GARNET
• Best known as a red
gemstone and birthstone of
January.
Garnet occurs in many colors
and has many industrial uses.
Next Topic

❑ Coal and Petroleum

❑ Petrology
❑ Introduction to Petrology
❑ Classification of Rocks