Course content

Material properties of rocks, rock masses and soils. Weakness zones and jointing of rocks. Gouge materials, water and stresses in rock masses. Engineering geological investigations and design of underground structures. Classification of rock masses. Stability problems and support measures for tunnels, underground openings and slopes. Formation of different types of deposits by erosion, weathering and transgression / regression. Classification. Physical and chemical properties. Characteristic features including weathering soil, till, friction soil, cohesive soil and podzol. Landslides. Mapping methodology. Regional distribution. Application of rocks and soils.

Learning outcome

Ingress: The course will provide the students with basic knowledge and understanding in the most central part of engineering geology, rock and soil.

Knowledge: When the course is fulfilled the student is able to describe the engineering properties of rock and soil materials, debris generation and distribution, and the geological factors affecting the stability of a facility on and in the soil. Furthermore, the student can give an account of engineering geological investigations, engineering, stability of slopes and protection of underground facilities, etc.

Skills: Based on lectures and exercises, students will be able to conduct basic engineering geological assessments and analyzes and to interpret formation and understand the properties of different soils. Students should be familiar with the main analyzes and methods in the lab and in the field and should have an understanding of the importance of engineering geology related to technical issues during construction.

General competencies: When the course is fulfilled the student is able to perform basic engineering geological assessments and analyses, and to understand the relevance of engineering geology in complex projects in and on rock and soils.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures. Obligatory excursions and tutorials including classification of soils and rocks, use of air photos and geological maps, engineering geological problems related to design and stability. The course will be taught in Norwegian. The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

TGB4100 Geology, Introduction, or TBM4240 Geotechnical Engineering 1, or TBA4100 Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology or equivalent previous knowledge.

Course materials

Compendia (Nilsen (2016) Ingeniørgeologi-berg grunnkurskompendium og Brattli (2015) Ingeniørgeologi løsmasser), geological maps and map descriptions, slides or notes from lectures.

Credit reductions