Geology for Engineers
Who should attend
The course is intended for geotechnical engineers involved in civil and mining engineering projects, who wish to expand their limited knowledge of geology.
Aims of the course
The aim of this course is to give students an appreciation and knowledge of geological principles and skills that can be used in day-to-day work in the geotechnical industry. The course will also provide a framework for students to keep learning about total geology principles so that they can make better engineering judgements and decisions in the future.
The course is focused around the development of engineering ground models, which are an essential element of any successful geotechnical design. The course will cover the importance of a sound understanding of the origin and nature of soil and rock materials and their defects, so that geotechnical conditions and hazards can be anticipated and communicated to other members of project teams.
Teaching is based largely around guided field exercises within an engineering context, supported by class lectures and workshops. The field exercises will take full advantage of the very broad range geological conditions exposed in the Adelaide area, which include very soft recently deposited soils; ancient sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks; tectonic deformation and glacial erosion.
Students who complete the course will enhance the knowledge and skills they need to undertake core geotechnical engineering tasks, including geotechnical desk top studies and geotechnical interpretive reporting. Some of the key learning outcomes are:
- How to approach observations on site and record observations as engineering geological maps.
- How to interpret geological maps for engineering purposes.
- How to use aerial imagery to classify terrain and identify geotechnical significant features.
- How to employ structure contour techniques to predict sub-surface conditions.
- How to use stereographic projection techniques to understand rock slope stability.
- How to recognise, measure and record geotechnically significant features in the field.
- How to build and develop ground models to communicate interpreted geotechnical conditions, hazards and uncertainty.
- To appreciate the engineering impact of the processes of formation of soil and rock masses.
- To understand the variability which results from the processes of formation and the limitations they impose on field descriptions, sampling, testing and subsequent analysis.
- How to communicate more successfully with other geotechnical professionals, designers and constructors involved in ground engineering.
Course details
Presenters
The course will be presented by Mark Eggers, Phil Flentje, Ian Shipway, Tim Nash, and Anthony Bowden on behalf of the Australian Geomechanics Society.
Course numbers
The course numbers are limited to a maximum of 26 students. Places on the course can only be reserved by registration and payment.
Additional Costs
Travel to Adelaide and all costs associated with accommodation and food are not included in the course fees. The AGS will provide suggestions for suitable hotel accommodation during the course, but students will need to make their own reservations and payments.
Transport to field sites during the course will organised by the AGS at no expense to students.
Accreditation
The course is approved by the Australian Geomechanics Society and is recognized by Engineers Australia as equivalent to 80 hours of CPD.
Course outline
DAY 1: SATURDAY – ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Overview of the course, an introduction to total geology principles and an outline of the geological history of the Adelaide Region.
Evening welcome dinner
DAY 2: SUNDAY – COBBLERS CREEK AND PORT GAWLER
Field exercises to introduce the regional geological setting, rock defects identification and measurements, recording geological observations and terrain classification.
DAY 3: MONDAY – ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Exercises in interpreting geological maps, drawing geological sections, structure contours, air photo interpretation, rock and mineral identification and geological age relationships.
DAY 4: TUESDAY – MASLINS BEACH, BLANCH POINT AND HALLET COVE
Exercises in understanding stratigraphy, geological mapping and coastal processes.
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY – PORT WILLUNGA
Exercises in stratigraphy, faulting, rockfalls and other erosional processes.
DAY 6: THURSDAY – MARINO ROCKS
Exercises in metamorphic rocks and understanding folding, faulting and cleavage.
DAY 7: FRIDAY – PORT ELLIOT
Exercise in igneous rocks using field mapping of geological features to plan an underground development.
DAY 8: SATURDAY – ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Exercises in geological interpretation for mine planning and rock slope stability assessment.
Course conclusion and award of certificates.
Evening farewell dinner