Importance of Engineering Geology applied to Civil Engineering

Engineering geology is that branch of civil engineering which deals with application of Geology for a safe stable and economic design and construction of Civil Engineering projects.
Importance of Engineering Geology

The Importance of Engineering Geology can be studied under following areas
Geology in construction job
Geology in water resources development
Geology in town and regional planning
Geology in Construction Jobs

Construction of any type of project is carried out in three steps under

Planning The knowledge of the geological work of natural agencies such as water, wind, ice and earthquakes helps in planning and carrying out major civil engineering works. For example the knowledge of erosion, transportation and deposition helps greatly in solving the expensive problems of river control, coastal and harbour work and soil conservation.

Design Before staring a major engineering project at a place, a detailed geological report which is accompanied by geological maps and sections, is prepared. Such a report helps in planning and constructing the projects.

Construction Geology provides a systematic knowledge of construction material, its occurrence, composition, durability and other properties. Example of such construction materials is building stones, road metal, clay, limestone and laterite.

Geology in Water resources development

Ground water is the water which occurs in the subsurface rocks. The knowledge about its quantity and depth of occurrence is required in connection with water supply, irrigation, excavation and many other civil engineering works.

The foundation problems of dams, bridges and buildings are directly concerned with the geology of the area where they are to be built. In these works drilling is commonly undertaken to explore the ground conditions. Geology helps greatly in interpreting the drilling data.