Engineering Geological Maps

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geological Maps
What are they ?

What scale should they be ?

What should they contain ?

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Types of map
Engineering Geology
Engineering Geomorphology
Terrain Maps
Hazard Maps
Susceptibility maps
risk maps

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Mapping methods

1:100,000 Synoptic Maps

1:10,000 Overview and regional maps
1:2500 Site specific maps
1:1000 Local plans

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geological Maps
Can be used to identify potential ground
problems
can be used as a base for hazard mapping
can be used as a basis for planning
applications
CANNOT be used for site specific
investigations

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Regional Maps
Limited indication of geotechnical variability
and uncertainty
Individual geotechnical features e.g. seepage
or landslides may be beyond the resolution of
these maps
Can highlight problems which may be
encountered at a site specific area
Can also highlight regional problems which
may affect a site (e.g. groundwater)

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering
Geological
map based on
Foundation
Bearing
Capacity -
specific map
for a specific
problem
(Dearman &
Fookes, 1974)

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Important
characteristics of drift
deposits from the
Applied Geology map
of Leeds made for
planning purposes

Again, such maps are

too general to be useful
at a site-specific level

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geology (solid) of Leeds

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 New
directions in
Engineering
Geological
Maps -
hydrogeology,
contamination
and
abstraction in
Leeds

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 More data in new maps:
The BGS Engineering
Geological Map includes
additional data on the
engineering properties of
important geological
units. In this case
plasticity (upper) and
Standard Penetration Test
(lower) data for the Upper
Greensand Rocks.

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geological Plans and
Charts

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geological Plans
Generally at scales of better than 1:2500
Will often include individual site specific
observations such as spring lines and
landslides
Poor regional context
Can be used for design of more detailed SI

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 The use of aerial
photography allowed
the identification of
relict solifluction
features at
Sevenoaks in
southern England
Geomorphological
maps require a
specialized
investigator
EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geomorphological Maps

Generally show surficial features and therefore

may be more valuable to surface construction
Of limited use for underground excavations -
although features such as deep seated landslides
may still have a geomorphic expression
Geomorphological maps can be divided into four
main types: Morphological, Morphographic,
Morphodynamic and Morphogenetic

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geomorphological Maps

Morphological maps show the features of the

landscape as identified either in the field or by
air photo interpretation

Morphographic maps show the shape of the

ground with breaks of slope and slope angles
identified.

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Engineering Geomorphological Maps
Morphodynamic maps show the current i.e.
active morphological processes

Morphogenetic maps identify the spatial

distribution of processes which have shaped
the current landscape whether they are
currently active or not.

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Section of an
Engineering
Geomorphological
map showing
breaks of slopes,
slope angle and
current features.

Is this a
geomorphological
map or a hazard
map

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
Making Engineering Geomorphological
and Geological Maps
Should have a field survey or ground truth
component
must be based on observed data
Interpretation should be at the hands of a skilled
operator
aerial photography is invaluable
Remains a qualitative rather than a quantitative
tool
EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Aerial Photography
Repeat pass aereal photography can provide a view of
change over time
stereoscopic images can allow for detailed
geomorphological mapping
can be used to make inferences about ground conditions
Remains a qualitative rather than quantitative technique
Requires a skilled interpreter to make the link between
landform and geotechnics
is expensive in the United Kingdom.
Can suffer serious geometric distortion.
EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Summary
Regional maps only useful for regional problems
Site specific plans are useful for guiding Site
Investigation work
Remains qualitative rather than quantitative
Suffers from all the problems associated with
geological and geomorphological maps
An excellent means of highlighting potential
problems prior to SI.
Coverage remains very patchy in the UK
EARS5010 Engineering Geology
Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Some concluding comments
On this module you have been introduced
to:
What controls the strength of rock materials
and rock masses
What data are available prior to SI
Using aerial photography for applied
geomorphology
Methods of Site Investigation (including
engineering geophysics for MSc students)
Methods of in situ testing and monitoring

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Some concluding comments
You should now be capable of:
Making some sensible assessments of rock
strength
Using desk study methods to highlight
geotechnical problems
Plan appropriate methods for investigating the
ground
Choose appropriate in situ testing and
monitoring methods for specific problems

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods
 Some concluding comments
Additionally MSc students should:
Understand the limitations of laboratory assessments
of soil and rock materials
Describe rock and soil materials for engineering
purposes
Select appropriate geophysical methods for SI
Carry out discontinuity surveys
Be aware of the limitations of aerial photography for
engineering geomorphological assessments

EARS5010 Engineering Geology

Engineering EARS5191 Ground Investigation Methods