Course Description

Prereq: Geol 211 and Physics 121

GEOL 314 focuses on the core activities of engineering geologists--site characterization and geologic hazard identification and mitigation. Through lectures, labs, and case study examination students will learn to couple their geologic expertise with the engineering properties of rock and unconsolidated materials in the characterization of geologic sites for civil work projects and the quantification of processes such as rock slides, soil-slope stability, settlement, and liquefaction.

Washington State WAC 308-15-053 has a description for engineering geology

Course Outcomes - upon completion of this course students will understand:

• Site characterization and how to collect, analyze, and report geologic data using standards in engineering practice (e.g., ASTM methods).



• The fundamentals of the engineering properties of Earth materials and fluids.



• Rock mass characterization and the mechanics of planar rock slides and topples.



• Soil characterization and the Unified Soil Classification System.



• The mechanics of soils and fluids and their influence on settlement, liquefaction, and soil slope stability.