CONFIDENTIAL

UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

SCHEMA FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER I
SESSION 2012/2013
COURSE NAME

: ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

COURSE CODE

: BFC 21303/BFC 3013

PROGRAMME

: 2 BFF/3 BFF

EXAMINATION DATE

: DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

DURATION

: 3 HOURS

INSTRUCTION

: ANSWER ANY THREE (3)

QUESTIONS IN PART A AND
QUESTION Q5 IN PART B

THIS SCHEMA CONSISTS OF FOURTEEN (14) PAGES

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

BFC 21303/BFC 3013

PART A
Q1

(a
)

Describe the internal layers of the earth.

(b
)

Define the term tectonic plate.

(5 marks)

(2 marks)
A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly shaped slab of
solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere.

(c)

Explain FOUR (4) evidences of the theory of tectonic plate.

(8 marks)
Answer:
Four major scientific developments spurred the formulation of the plate tectonics
theory:
1.

The ruggedness and youth of the ocean floor

2. Repeated reversals of the Earth magnetic field in the geologic past

(d
)

3.

Developing of the seafloor-spreading and associated recycling of oceanic crust

4.

The world's earthquake and volcanic activity is concentrated along oceanic

trenches and submarine mountain ranges

Describe briefly what types of minerals that react with acid test.
(2 marks)
1. On calcite (CaCO3), bubbles of carbon dioxide are produced;
2. Some iron sulphide ores, hydrogen sulphide is produced.
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(ef
)

Describe the method to identify mineral in laboratory.

(4 marks)
Petrography study using microscope
XRF
XRD

(f)

Differentiate silicate and non-silicate minerals.

(4 marks)

A group of minerals contains SiO4 as the dominant polyanion. In these

minerals the Si4+ cation is always surrounded by 4 oxygen in the form of a
tetrahedron.
The non silicate - minerals are those minerals that do not contain silica tetrahedrons.
4-

Q2

(a)

Discuss the classification of igneous rocks based on its texture

(4 marks)
Rock Texture
The texture refers to the size, shape and arrangement of the component minerals grains
and the clues to the rock's cooling history. The major textures of igneous rocks are:
(i)
Phaneritic texture
Individual grains are large enough and visible to naked eye (Figure 3.6).
Grains approximately equal in size, form interlocking mosaic and very coarse.
Developed from magmas that cool slowly and common in intrusive bodies.

Phaneritic texture consists of large grains and can be seen unaided

(ii)

(iii)

Aphanetic texture
Individual crystals are so small and cannot be seen unaided.
Rocks are massive and experienced rapid cooling that there was no sufficient
time for the growth of large crystals.
Characteristic of volcanic rock and some intrusive rocks which lost its heat to
the surrounding country rock.
Glassy texture
Similar to ordinary
Crystals cannot be
texture, even when
under high
obsidian.

glass.
discerned in a glassy
the specimen is viewed
magnification e.g.

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The volcanic glass obsidian has a alassy texture (containing no crystals) because it
solidifies instantly from hot lava.
(iv)

Porphyritic texture
Larger earlier formed crystals are enclosed by a ground mass of smaller
crystals.
Cooling history of magma may begin slowly initially which developed coarse
crystals and then while partly crystallized the magma may move to another
environment in which the cooling is more rapid which precipitate fine crystals
around the earlier coarse crystals.

The porphyritic phaneritic texture results from two stages of cooling.

(v)

Vesicular Texture

This term refers to vesicles (holes, pores, or cavities) within the igneous rock. Vesicles
are the result of gas expansion (bubbles), which often occurs during volcanic eruptions.
Pumice and scoria are common types of vesicular rocks. The image below shows basalt
with vesicles, hence the name "vesicular basalt".

BFC 21303/BFC 3013

Figure 3.10

(b)

Vesicular rocks

Describe the following classifications in igneous rocks based on the silica content
(SiO2):
(4 marks)
The chemical composition of igneous rocks is a reflection of the composition of
magma from which the rocks crystallized. Magma is variable in composition, most
importantly in the amount of silica (SiO2) that they contain (Table 3.3).
The silica content ranges from less than 45% to more than 66%. Rocks that are rich in
silica are called silicic or felsic, rocks and those that are low in silica content are called
mafic rocks. Fortunately, colour provides a valuable clue for identification igneous
rocks because the silicic rocks are mainly composed of lightly colored minerals like
quartz and feldspar, whereas the mafic rocks are dark colored because of the abundance
ferromagnesian minerals. The dark coloured ferrromagnesian minerals are rich in iron
and magnesium, include olivine, pyroxene and hornblende. The major igneous rock
types fall into categories of high, intermediate and low silica content.
Silica content (SiO2) which also controls the minerals that crystallize is used to further
classify igneous rocks as follows:
1. Acid: usually above 65% silica mostly feldspar minerals and quartz, for
example granite.
2. Intermediate: 55% - 65% silica mostly feldspar minerals and quartz, for
example diorite
3. Basic: 45 to 55% silica mostly dark minerals plus plagioclase feldspar
and/or feldspathoid minerals, for example basalt.
4. Ultra basic: usually less than 45% silica mostly dark minerals such as
olivine and pyroxene, for example peridotite.
ACID
Crystalline
Texture
Fine

(Usual
Occurrence)
Intrusive

Extrusive

(c)

INTERMEDIATE

BASIC

Rhyolite

Feldspar
Orthoclase - Plagioclase
Trachyte Andesite

Basalt

Medium

Microgranite

Microsyenite Microdiorite

Dolerite

Coarse

Granite

Syenite

Diorite

Gabbro

ULTRA
BASIC

Ultrabasic
lavas
Peridotite
porphyry
Peridotite

Evaluate the relationship between silica content, minerals and weathering rate.
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(5 marks)
Basalt, 45-55 SiO2 %, high in Fe, Mg, Ca, low in K, Na (Mafic mineral)
Granite, 65-75 SiO2 %, low in Fe, Mg, Ca, high in K, Na (Felsic mineral)

Felsic minerals (eg quartz) are more stable in term of weathering compare with mafic
minerals (eg. Olivine).

(d)

Explain FOUR (4) major processes involved in making sedimentary clastic

sedimentary rocks.
(4 marks)

(e) Discuss with suitable illustrations (if needed) the differences between:
(i) Clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks
(ii) Organic sedimentary rocks and inorganic chemical sedimentary rocks
(iii) Conglomerate and breccia
(iv)

Graded bedding and rhythmic bedding

(8 marks)

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Q3

(a
)

Describe THREE (3) types of metamorphic textures and gives relevant examples.
(3 marks)
Type
Foliation

Description
A broad term referring to the alignment of sheet like minerals.

Example
Schistosity alignment of large mica
flakes, as in a mica schist derived from the
metamorphism of shale.
Slaty cleavage alignment of very finegrained micas, as in a slate derived from
the metamorphism of shale.
Phyllitic structure alignment of fine
-grained micas, as in a phyllite.
Gneissic banding segregation of light and
dark minerals into distinct layers in the
rock, as in a gneiss.

Lineation

Non - foliated or
granular

(b
)

Refers to the alignment of elongated, rod-like

minerals.
Lineation is a texture commonly seen in the
metamorphic rock amphibolites derived from the
metamorphism of basalt.
Those which are composed of equidimensional
grains.
There is no preferred orientation. The grains form a
mosaic.

amphibole, pyroxene, tourmaline, kyanite,

etc

quartz or calcite

Explain how metamorphic textures influence the intact rock and rock mass strength.
(4 marks)
Answer:
Alignment of large mica flakes, as in a mica schist derived from the metamorphism of
shale (foliation), thus the direction between stress (force) and foliation controlled the
strength.
Discontinuity (eg foliation, joint, fault) affected the strength of rock mass.

Erosion is one of the important agents of removal and transportation of surficial

materials which are the product of physical and chemical breakdown of rocks by
process of weathering.
(i) Compare and describe the textures and properties of residual soil and transported
soil.
(ii) Describe THREE (3) different types of load carried by streams.
(6 marks)
Load carried by streams:

Dissolved load - as calcium, sodium, sulphate, chloride and bicarbonate.

Suspended load - small grains ego silt and clay

Bed load - includes all particles which is being moved by saltation, rolling or
sliding.

Explain FOUR (4) types of the environment of sediments deposition

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(4 marks)
Continental environments

(e)

Alluvial fans are fan-shaped deposits of gravel, sand and mud that accumulate
in dry basins at the bases of mountain ranges.

Eolian (wind) environments include sand seas of deserts, where sand dunes
are built and transported by wind, and areas where windblown dust
accumulates.

Fluvial (river) environments are the river channels.

Lakes are bodies of non marine water, including freshwater lakes on continental
lowlands and saline lakes in isolated basins.

Glacial environments are the areas where sediment is deposited by glaciers.

Discuss with suitable illustrations (if needed) the differences between:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

Weathering grade 1 and 6

Normal and reverse faults
Joint and faults
Physical weathering and chemical weathering
Oxidation and hydrolysis weathering
(8 marks)

i) Grade 1: fresh rock which no visible signs of weathering, discolored.

Grade 6: residual soil, which formed by weathering in place but with original texture of rock
completely destroyed.

ii) Normal fault - occurs most frequently in rocks that have been subjected to horizontal
tensional force. One side of the layer move downwards relative to the other.
Lateral fault - involves the horizontal movement along the strike of the fault plane.

ii) Faults had displacement of the rocks along them.

Joints had no movement along them and tend to break a rock mass into a network of
blocks.
iii)
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Oxidation normally occurs to rock or minerals such as olivine pyroxene and amphibole
that contain high iron content and therefore produce rusty, red, yellow and brown rocks
and soils.
Mineralogical examples of iron oxidation include the weathering of pyrite tolimonite,
or weathering of siderite to hematite.
4FeCO3
(Siderite)

O2

4H2O = 2Fe2O3
(Hematite)

4H2CO3

Hydrolysis
The chemical union of water and a mineral is known as hydrolysis. This is the reaction
of mineral with water to produce a new mineral or minerals. An example is the
weathering of feldspar by reacting with water to form clay. Feldspar is an abundant
mineral in a great many igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, so it is
important to understand how feldspars weather and decompose into clay minerals,
which form the most abundant sedimentary rock, shale.
Two substances are essential in the weathering of feldspars; carbon dioxide and water.
The atmosphere and the soil contain carbon dioxide, which unites with rainwater to
form carbonic acid. If K-feldspar comes in contact with carbonic acid, the following
chemical reaction occurs.
2KALSi3O8
(K-feldspar)

H2CO3
(carbonic acid)

K2CO3
+
(potassium carbonate)
Q4

(a
)

Al2Si2O5(OH)4
(clay mineral)

H2O
(water)
+ 4SiO2
(soluble hydrated silica)

Rock Mechanics and Soil Mechanics are branches of Geotechnical Engineering that
look at the mechanical properties and behavior of rocks and soils respectively.
(i)

Explain the difference in the definitions of rock and soil.

(2 marks)
1. Rock is defined as mixtures formed of aggregates of one or more minerals.
Soil is uncemented or weakly cemented minerals void spaced between
mineral filled with air / water.
2. In terms of strength, the boundary between soil and rock is 1 MPa.
3. Other properties that differentiate between soils and rocks are density,
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seismic velocity, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and porosity.

(ii) List FOUR (4) index tests for rocks and explain the different between the index
tests and the direct test.
(4 marks)
(i) Indirect test: Normally does not involved preparation of samples (which is costly)
and test may not be associated with destruction of samples (non-destructive test or
NDT). Rock samples are usually tested to give their strength value indirectly.
Direct tests require detailed sample preparation (size and shape) using specific
laboratory equipments. Rock samples are usually tested until failure to give their
strength value directly. Equipments used in the test are complex, bulky and expensive.

(b
)

Explain, with suitable illustrations (if needed) the differences between:

(i)
(ii)

Intact rock and rock mass

UCS and JCS

(iii)

Resistivity and seismic refraction test

(6 marks)

(ii) Uniaxial/ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of rock sample is determined byloading the sample under compression until failure. Value of Young's modulus (E) and
Poisson ratio (v) of the rock sample can also be determined.
JCS is the compressive strength of rock surface. This test can be conducted using
Schmidt's hammer (L-type). Test is simple and fast and equipments is portable. Test
can be undertaken on the surface of block or core samples and does not involve
destruction of sample. For fresh rock (weathering grade I), JCS is approximately
equals to the UCS of the rock material.

(c)

Discuss the electrical resistivity test on how it helps in identifying the earth materials
and profile.
(5 marks)

(d
)

With the aid of related diagram, differentiate Rock Quality Designation (RQD) and
Solid Core Recovery (SCR).
(3 marks)
Rock Quality Designation (RQD%)
= Solid Core Pieces > 100mm/Length of Core

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Solid Core Recovery (SCR%)

= Solid core pieces in full diameter/ Length of Core
(e)

Ground investigations are necessary for engineering geologists to carry out in preparing
their recommendations for construction work on civil engineering site.
(i)

Discuss TWO (2) limitations commonly associated with a borehole

investigation.

(2 marks)
Providing info on subsurface conditions only at the actual drilling location
Interpolation between borings to determine conditions does involve some
degree of uncertainty

(ii)

Explain why the geophysical method can be used to complement a bore hole
investigation.
(3 marks)
Seismic refraction:

Primary application for seismic refraction is for determination of depth and

thickness of geologic strata, structure and anomalous conditions;
Advantages:

Typical measurements are less than 100 feet but can easily made to greater
depths, if necessary;

Can resolve up to 3 to 4 layers;

Can provide depth under each geophone;

Disadvantages:

The survey line length (source to farthest geophone) may be 4 to 5 times the
desired depth of investigation;

Requires intrusive contact with the ground;

Station measurement only;

Sensitive to acoustic noise and vibrations;

Seismic velocity of layers must increase with depth;

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BFC 21303/BFC 3013

PART B
Q5

(a)

Explain the rock slope failure modes and its criterion.

(4 marks)
Modes of failure

Circular

Criteria
i. Very weak material, highly jointed or fractured or weak soil
ii. Homogenous soil

Planar

i. Dip direction lie within 200 from the design slope dip
direction.
ii. f > p > j (slope angle>plane angle>friction angle)
iii. Release surfaces must be present to define the lateral
boundaries of the slide.

Wedge

i. f > i > j (slope angle>intersection of 2 plane angle>friction

angle)
ii. driving force due to the weight of wedge must exceed the
frictional resistance of the planes.

Toppling

i. The discontinuities dip direction must lie between 10 of slope

dip direction (opposite direction).
ii.

(900 f ) j p

(b) Investigations at a rock slope site gave the following information.

Height of rock slope
Proposed slope face angle
Critical discontinuity angle
Depth of tension cracks
Unit weight of the rock
Unit weight of water
Cohesion of the discontinuity
Friction angle for the discontinuity

= 80m
= 60
= 45
= 3m
= 25 kN/m3
= 9.81 kN/m3
= 50 kPa
= 40

Using the information given in Figure Q5(b) for a plane failure, examine the factor of
safety:
(i)

When the tension crack and the slope is dry, and

(4 marks)

A=108.9 m
W= 33699 kN/m
U=0
V=0
FOS=1.1
(ii)

When the tension crack is completely filled with water.

(3 marks)

A=109 m
W= 33699 kN/m
U=1602 kN/m
V=44 kN/m
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FOS=1.0

(c)

A rock cut slope has a dip direction of 180 and dip angle of 60. A discontinuity
survey was conducted along the proposed cut slope and results for the discontinuity sets
orientations are given in Table 1. A study of the joint sets showed that all joint surfaces
had a friction angle of 30.
Table 1
Joint set 1 Joint set 2 Joint set 3 Joint set 4 Joint set 5 Joint set 6
176/50 240/70 140/40 320/80 350/70 180/70
(i)

Analyze the entire failure mode for both proposed rock slope as well as the
criterion as an evidence using Figure Q5(c).
(8 marks)

Circular
Planar

Wedge

None, not fractured rock or soil

J1:176/50
Justification:
i) Dip direction: 180 20= 160 200
ii) Dip angle: 30<50<60
J1 fulfill planar failure criterion.
J1 and J2
Justification:
i) Intersection J1 and J2 within unstable zone
ii) 60>51>30
J1 and J3
Justification:
i) Intersection J1 and J3 within unstable zone
ii) 60>40>30
J2 and J3
Justification:
i) Intersection J3 and J2 within unstable zone
ii) 60>40>30

Toppling

J5: 350/70
Justification:
i) Dip direction: (180+180=360) opposite direction
36010= 350 10
ii) Dip angle: (90-60)+3070
J5 fulfill toppling failure criterion.

(ii)

Recommend a new and suitable rock slope dip angle in order to avoid
potential any rock slope failure.
(3 marks)
Dip angle / slope angle: 40
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BFC 21303/BFC 3013

(iii)

Predict the consequences of the above recommendations in Q5(c)(ii).

(3 marks)

1. Increase volume of rock excavation.

2. Required additional land to accommodate gentle slope.

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