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KAEA2134
Fundamentals of
Engineering Geology
Lecture 9: Surface Processes
KAEA2134 Schedule
1 Basic concepts in geology and their 8 Surface processes: Weathering
relevance in Civil Engineering Practical: Introduction to geological maps
Practical: Introduction to rock and minerals
2 Earths internal structure and Plate 9 Surface processes: Erosion, transportation
Tectonics and deposition
Practical: Silicate minerals Practical: Uniformly dipping beds
3 Minerals and rock cycle 10 Geological site investigation 1: Desk &
Practical: Ore/economic minerals walkover study
Practical: Folding
4 Description and classification of igneous, 11 Geological site investigation 2: Geophysical
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks methods
Practical: Igneous rocks Practical: Faulting
5 Geological structures: faults, joints & folds 12 Geological site investigation 3: Boring &
Practical: Sedimentary rocks drilling
Practical: Unconformities
6 Description and classification of rock 13 Geological site investigation 4: sampling &
material in-situ tests
Practical: Metamorphic rocks Practical: Igneous bodies
7 Description and classification of rock mass 14 Terrain evaluation
Continuous assessment test #1 Continuous assessment test #2
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Mass wasting
Mass wasting or mass movement earth material moves downslope under
the force of gravity.
Mass wasting occurs on both land and submarine slopes when the
gravitational force acting on a slope exceeds its resisting force.
The slope material's strength, cohesion and the between material help
maintain the slope's stability and are known collectively as the slope's shear
strength.
The steepest angle that a cohesionless slope can maintain without losing its
stability is known as its angle of repose.
Mass wasting may occur at a very slow rate, particularly in dry areas or
areas with dense vegetation cover.
It may also occur at very high speed, such as in rock slides or landslides,
with disastrous consequences.
Increase in slope angle, weakening of material by weathering, increased
water content, loss of vegetation cover and overloading increase the
potential of mass wasting
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rotational translational
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Erosion by water
Splash erosion is the detachment and airborne movement of small
soil particles caused by the impact of raindrops on soil.
Sheet erosion is the detachment and removal of soil particles
downslope by water flowing overland as a sheet (unconfined).
Rill erosion is the development of small, ephemeral concentrated
flow paths, which act as both sediment source and sediment
delivery systems for erosion on hillslopes.
Gully erosion occurs when water flows in narrow channels during or
immediately after heavy rains or melting snow.
Stream erosion occurs with continued water flow along a linear
feature. Erosion occurs downwards and laterally, by water and by
suspended particles.
Bank erosion is the wearing away of the banks of a stream or river.
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Sediment transport
The most abundant sediment is clastic or detrital
material consisting of mineral and rock particles.
The most important agent of sediment transport is water.
Rivers move the majority of the sediments on land as
bed load and in suspension.
The ability to transport sediments by water depends on
its velocity.
Sediments are sorted during transport.
Sediment is also moved in the sea by wave action,
current and as mass transport deposits.
Dissolved substances can also be transported by water.
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Sediment deposition
Deposition by water on land. Alluvium in river valley, flood plains
and delta. Sediments are sorted and stratified, mostly sand and clay.
Deposition in the sea. The final destination for most clastic
sediments, mainly in shallow shelf sea. Turbidity currents carry
sediments into deeper basins.
Deposition on slopes. Localised poorly sorted scree and colluvium.
Wind deposits very well sorted sand and silt in desert regions.
Ice deposits unsorted debris in the melt zone.
Volcanoes deposit pyroclastic sediments.
Dissolved substances can be deposited by direct precipitation, by
organic activities or by evaporation.
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