ADAMA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Course: Engineering Geology (Geol4309)
Assignment: Total Marks 20%
Remark: Give short and clear answers.
Question 1
TCR (Total Core Recovery) and RQD (Rock Quality Designation) are used to estimate the
quality of rock masses for engineering use. Assume that during a site investigation for
large-scale dam construction, you have recommended core drilling to a depth of 50 meter
(at four places) at the dam foundation site.
a) If the measured TCR value is 80%, what could be the reason for the TCR value to
be different from 100%? If the TCR value is 80%, could the RQD value be 100%?
Explain in short.
b) From in-situ permeability tests, higher permeability values were found in rocks
with high RQD values while low permeability values were detected in rocks with
low RQD values. What do you expect to be the reason for it? Explain in short.
Question 2
During site investigation for the construction of a large-scale civil engineering structure,
five rock samples were collected from the same rock type for laboratory strength tests
(Table 1). Assume the five samples were tested in the same environment and with the
same method of testing.
Table 1: Code and size of rock samples collected from field investigations
Based on sample size alone, in which one of the sample numbers mentioned above (Table
1) do you expect to get maximum strength? What is the effect of sample size on the
strength of rock in general? Explain in short.
Question 3
It is known that the rate of loading has an effect on the strength of an intact rock.
a) If you have undertaken two tests, one with slow rate of loading and another one
with fast rate of loading, in which case do you expect to have higher strength.
Explain the reason.
b) Which data do you think is appropriate to be considered for design (value from
slow rate of loading or value from fast rate of loading)? Explain the reason in detail.
Question 4
In rock mechanics, one of the factors which affects the shear strength of discontinuities
are the roughness/asperity and infill (type and thickness) of the discontinuities.
1) The effect of discontinuity roughness on the frictional strength of rock masses is
believed be higher for surface/near surface engineering works than for deep
underground constructions. What do you think is the reason for it? Explain in
detail.
2) How can the infill (type and thickness) along discontinuities influence the
frictional resistance of rock masses? Explain in short.
Question 5
Assume that three tests were carried out on an intact rock (rock type is shale) which
contains micro-fractures as indicated in the figure below; the arrow indicates direction
of the applied load, and the lines indicate the micro-fractures in the rock. In (a) the micro-
fractures are parallel to the applied load. In (b) the applied load is at about 30 degree
from the microfractures. In (c) the applied load is perpendicular to the micro-fractures.
Assume you have done a laboratory test with these three cases.
a) In which of the three cases above (a, b, c) do you expect to have lower strength?
Explain the reason in detail.
b) What is the implication for the design of engineering structures in such
anisotropic rocks?
Question 6
A concrete gravity dam is to be constructed in an area whereby the foundation includes
rocks with different modulus of elasticity as indicated in Figure below. From left to right
the rocks have the following modulus of elasticity: 10GPa, 40GPa, 14GPa, 38GPa, and
10GPa). The dam foundation is required to have a minimum modulus of elasticity of
15GPa.
a) What are type of geotechnical problems do you expect if the dam is to be
constructed in the area without any ground improvement? Indicate in the figure
in which zone the problems are expected.
b) What solutions would you recommend to address the problem indicated in a
(above)? Explain in detail and indicate the solutions in the figure below.
10 Gpa
10 Gpa
45 Gpa
40 Gpa
14 Gpa
Figure 1: Dam foundation with variable modulus of elasticity (Em): from left to right the
rocks have modulus of elasticity 10GPa, 40GPa, 14GPa, 38GPa, and 10GPa).
Question 7
A tunnel is intended to constructed through Slightly weathered rhyolitic rock. The rock is cut by
joints dipping at 50o away from direction of drive of the tunnel. The intact core piece obtained from
this site is characterized by uniaxial compressive strength of 115MPa and RQD of 65%. Besides, the
discontinuity surface of this rock is characterized by 3mm opening, 7m persistence, slightly rough
surface, soft filling and slightly weathered wall surface. If discontinuities are 500mm apart and
groundwater condition is damp, determine
A. Determine the RMR value?
B. Suitable Excavation Criteria?
C. Supporting systems for this tunnel?
Question 8
A railway bridge is planned to be constructed in a terrain underlain by basalt (which is
mostly massive) with minor joints as shown in the below figure. At the left side of the
bridge the basalt rock has formed a steep slope and in some part the basalt rock mass has
formed overhangs. One the right side a fault zone (0.5m thickness) is mapped during
geotechnical investigation and it daylights at the slope face. The inclination of the fault
zone is about 40 degree towards the river. The materials along the fault zone are non-
cohesive, with internal friction angle of about 30 degrees.
Basalt
Basalt
Basalt
Figure. Cross-section along the proposed bridge site. Note that the bridge is at about 75m
above the river floor.
Based on the above information alone, answer the following questions:
a) What geotechnical problems due you expect if the bridge is to be constructed in
the area without any ground improvement and/or reinforcement? Indicate the
areas where the problems are expected in the above Figure.
b) What engineering solutions would you recommend to be implemented in order to
address the problems indicated in a (above)? Indicate the measures to be taken in
the above figure.
