Engineering Geology

Code:

L.EC015

Acronym:

GE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Complementary Sciences/Technologies

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil and Georesources Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EC	171	Syllabus	2	-	4,5	45,5	121,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

JUSTIFICATION:

Geological and geotechnical studies are scheduled by phases, using survey methods with progressing sophistication. These go along with project and construction and have the final goal of obtaining geotechnical zones of geological massifs with the necessary detail concerned by works. The responsible for Engineering Geology studies must proceed in order to clarify important facts for the project and end these studies as soon as the necessary information is available.

 

OBJECTIVES:

• Study of the main properties of rocks and its application as construction and foundation materials;
• Study of the geotechnical and geological characteristics of massifs towards the resolution of engineering and environment problems resulting from the interaction between human works and activities;
• Prediction and development of preventive or repairing measures of geological accidents.

Learning outcomes and competences

SKILLS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Knowledge: identify rocks and rock masses structures that might constrain Civil Engineering works in its several stages, namely, primary studies, predesign, design, construction and operation.

Comprehension: interpreting Geology and Geotechnics elements that characterize rock formations with respect to their morphology, composition, physical and mechanical characteristics. Conversion of these properties to parameters, mostly numerical, that allow a better evaluation of natural massifs in a Civil Engineering work context.

Application: use of analytical and numerical methods for interpretation of measurements and other characteristics of rock formations and its works in order to identify possible instability situations. Execution of some simple tests to evidence certain rock and discontinuity characteristics.

Analysis: comparison of several stabilization solutions for rock formations through identification of kinematic and/or mechanical behavior models.

Evaluation: development of several practical works to identify aspects of an Engineering Geology study applied to one or more Civil Engineering works.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

The student is supposed to have attended Geology in the secondary school.

Program

1. Origin of Engineering Geology and evolution of its importance for the Civil Engineering works. Objectives and methodological principles for conducting geological and geotechnical studies. Geological site investigation: sources of topographical, geological, seismic and geotechnical information.


2. Geological models

2.1 Formation and constitution of rocks: mineral and rock concepts, some mineral properties, genesis and cycle of rocks, erosion processes, soils formation. Lithological classification of rocks.

2.2 Physical characteristics and identification of soils. Sedimentary and residual soils.

2.3 Physical and mechanical properties of rocks. Index properties. Texture and structure influence of rocks on its properties.

2.4 Structural Geology. Short introduction to  Tectonics. Geological structures associated to certain rock types. Discontinuities: definitions, main types and importance in rock formations behavior.

2.5 Introduction to Geology of Portugal. Elements of seismology and seismicity.


3. Discontinuities

3.1 Compartmentation of rock masses.

3.2 Methodologies for survey, characterization and graphic representation of discontinuities orientation. Stereonet rose chart method. Hemispherical projections. Isodensity diagrams and discontinuity sets identification with hemispherical projections.

3.3 Types of slope instability and geologic structures. Kinematic analysis with hemispherical projections for identification of main types of slopes instability: planar sliding, toppling, wedge sliding, Markland test and Hocking refinement.

3.4 Persistence characterization and spacing of discontinuities. Volumetry and shape of rock blocks: indexes and characteristic designations.

3.5 Presentation of support and reinforcement measures in slopes.

3.6 Shear strength of discontinuities. Smooth and rough discontinuities behavior. Dilatancy. Patton model. Mohr-Coulomb and Barton criteria. Roughness, weathering condition in surfaces, fill and opening in discontinuities: parameter influence on discontinuities shear strength.

3.7 Safety evaluation in rock slopes. Stability analysis. Limit equilibrium methods. Water in discontinuities and implications in Civil Engineering works. Water pressure effects and drainage in slopes.


4. Classifications

4.1 Weathering and geological structure of rock massifs and influence on sample collecting with drill cores.

4.2 RQD classification. Rock quality indexes.

4.3 Uniaxial compression tests in rock samples. Point load test.

4.4 Classification of rock masses for Civil Engineering purposes. System RMR of Bieniawski. Rating attribution and estimation of geomechanical parameters. System Q of Barton. Pre-design of support in underground works.


5. Geotechnical and mechanical reconnaissance

5.1 Drill holes. Sampling of rocks and soils.

5.2 Field characterization. Hydraulic behavior of rock masses. Lugeon test.

5.3 Deformational behavior. Field stress determination in situ.

5.4 Geophysical investigation: seismic methods, seismic refraction and seismic reflection.

 

Scientific Content – 50%

Technological Content – 50%

 

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:

The geological and geotechnical studies should be planned in different stages, using identification methods progressively more sophisticated. They should also follow the phases of project execution and works construction, aiming, at the end, the geotechnical zoning of geological massifs with the appropriate detail for each case. The responsible of Engineering Geology studies has to guide them in order to clarify the relevant issues to the project and complete them once the necessary information is obtained.

Mandatory literature

José Eduardo Menezes, António Topa Gomes e Cristiana Ferreira; Textos de apoio de Geologia de Engenharia, 2024
González de Vallejo, Luis I. 070; Ingeniería geológica. ISBN: 84-205-3104-9

Complementary Bibliography

Duncan Willye & Christopher Mah; Rock slope engineering, Spon Press, 2005. ISBN: 0-203-57083-9
Evert Hoek, John Bray; Rock slope engineering. ISBN: 0-419-16010-8
Arlindo Begonha e Madalena Teles; Geologia, 2001

Teaching methods and learning activities

In theoretical classes the essential basic concepts to the study, understanding and interpretation of the characteristics of materials and of geological formations scenes are presented in the perspective of Civil Engineering applications. Special emphasis is given to the presentation of concrete cases of study, approach methodologies and obtained results related to the specific demands of different types of work.

In practical classes, the students are introduced to the identification of minerals and rocks and, afterwards, to the determination of mechanical characteristics through testing. In field class, an introduction to the characterization of discontinuities is followed. The student does the analytical resolution of selected problems and uses available software.

 

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The applied teaching methodologies allow the use of analytical and numerical methods for interpreting measurements and other characteristics of the rock mass and project construction to identify possible situations of instability. The application of a few simple tests reveals certain characteristics of rocks and rock discontinuities. The comparison of different solutions for stabilization of rock masses identifies the kinematic and/or mechanical behavior models.

Software

RocSlope2 (Comprehensive Rock Slope Stability Analysis)
ROCPLANE (interactive software tool for assessing the stability of planar sliding wedges in rock slopes)
DIPS (program designed for the interactive analysis of orientation based geological data)
SWEDGE (interactive analysis tool for evaluating the stability of surface wedges in rock slopes)

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Teste	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	32,00
Estudo autónomo	42,50
Frequência das aulas	45,50
Trabalho de campo	1,50
Total:	121,50

Eligibility for exams

Passing the course unit requires meeting the attendance requirement, whereby a student is considered to meet this requirement if, having been duly enrolled, they do not exceed the maximum number of absences corresponding to 25% of the scheduled in-person classes for each type of class.

In addition to the cases provided for by the regulations in force at FEUP, students who obtained, in the immediately preceding academic year, a final grade in the course unit equal to or higher than 6 (on the grading scale) are exempt from the attendance requirement.

 

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is based on the distributed assessment and a final exam.

The distributed assessment consists in a test and two practical assignments. The distributed assessment is expressed on a scale of 0 to 20. The distributed assessment (25%) is optional. If the student prefers not to follow the distributed assessment the final marks is equal to that obtained in the final exam.

If the studente follows the distributed assessment, the final grade, CF, results from the following formula:

CF = PA x AD + PF x EF

where,

AD – Marks obtained in the distributed assessment;
PA = 25%

EF - Marks of the final exam, first and/or second call.
PF = 75%


Marks obtained in the distributed assessment results from the following formula:

AD = PA1 x TP1 + PA2 x TP2 + PA3 x TP3

where,

TP1 - Classification obtained in the mineral and rock identification test at the end of the theoretical-practical class to be carried out during the current academic year;

TP2 - Classification obtained in Practical Work Nº 1 to complete during the current academic year;

TP3 - Classification obtained in Practical Work Nº 2 to complete during the current academic year;

PA1 = 5%

PA2 = 10%

PA3 = 10%

 

Note 1: The practical assignments are completed individually accordingly to instructions given during practice classes.

Note 2: The distributed assessment is of this current academic year.

Note 3: The distributed assessment is optional. If the student does not complete one of the components, its respective weight will be added to the weight of the final exam.

Note 4: All students enrolled in the course are classified according to this method.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Test – Identification of minerals and rocks

At the end of the laboratory class, the students identify the mineral and rock samples that are shown to them in different sets.

Practical Task Nº 1 - Identification of family sets and potential instability situations

The resolution of Practical Task Nº 1 is sent by e-mail to the practical class teacher.

 

Practical Task Nº 2 - Stability analysis of blocks in slopes

The resolution of Practical Task Nº 2 is sent by e-mail to the practical class teacher.

 

Classification improvement

Students intending to improve the obtained grade may attend a second exam, after previous registration in the academic service.

Improvement of distributed evaluation is possible during the first or second exam by replacing its grade by the exam marks.

Observations

During any assessment, the possession of any electronic device (for example: mobile phones, tablets, earphones, smartwatches, etc.) is strictly prohibited, except for those expressly authorized by the teaching staff (for example: a calculator, in exam mode if alphanumeric).

It is the student’s responsibility to anticipate this situation before the start of the assessment.