Why is the origin of the earth and the internal structure of

the earth important to civil engineering?

The origin of the earth and the internal structure of the earth are
important to civil engineering due to the main fact that, civil engineers
construct structures on and in the earths surface whilst using materials of
the earth in construction as well. There are many theories about how the
earth started but the big bang theory is the most speculated. Basically there
was matter in space which came together in a singularity, then exploded.
This explosion created the solar system over a period of billions of years.
The earth formed through the elements of nickel and iron, these heavier
elements formed the core of the earth and became molten rock. Lighter
materials found their way to the surface as the earths crust and the inbetween materials found their way to form the mantle outside the core below
the earths crust. The outer earth began to cool but the inside remains hot
due to radioactive decay which keeps the magma in its hot, fiery, liquid
state. In order for the inner earth to release this magma, it does so via
volcanoes or by pushing magma through the earth.
Volcanoes are responsible for many of the rock formations in and on
the earth today. When magma is cooled from volcanic eruptions it forms
extrusive igneous rocks outside the earths surface but when magma is
pushed through the earth and it cools but doesnt penetrate the surface,
these rocks are called intrusive igneous rocks. Many other types of rocks
were formed from the origin of the earth and over time, pressure and
temperature changed formed and properties. These are called metamorphic
rock. Great limestone masses were made from calcium carbonate deposits
which were skeletons of sea life, compressing under pressure and sunlight
over millions of years to form limestone. The ice age crept in compressing
the limestone further and when the caps melted off, new limestone land
masses were now in existence along with natural springs and mountains.
The
theory
of
continental
drift
was
derived
by
a
geophysicist/meteorologist/polar researcher by the name of Alfred Wegner.
His theory was that at some point in the past all the land masses were
connected but some mechanism caused them to break away from each
other. His hypothesis was not gratefully received because he could not derive
a mechanism to convince the people of how it may have happened, but his
evidence was intriguing, the findings of prehistoric mammals on the coasts
of continents which appear to fit together if placed next to one another led to

a fairly strong argument until his death before it was discarded. Later on his
theory was revisited as possibly true.
This brings forth the plate tectonics discussion, beneath the earths
surface floating on a molten interior are plates of the continents, they are
moved by convection currents from within the mantle causing them to
gradually move in some parts, away from each other and some parts over or
against each other. When these plates collide or separate there is a chance
that a volcano may be ready to erupt and of course an earthquake shall be
felt, so a civil engineer must be aware of how the earth behaves in these
circumstance so he can build with the intention of having a structure which
can resist the natural disasters.
Geology is the science which deals with the physical structure and
substance of the earth, its history, and the processes which act on it. Civil
engineering is the application of science to the design of buildings and
structures. It can be deduced then that geology and civil engineering must
go hand in hand. The geologist inspect and understand the origin of the
earth and its internal structure and relay necessary information to the
engineer so he can design and strategize the most suitable and safe
structure possible to combat with any natural hazards thrown by the earth
movement internally.
For a civil engineer to better understand how the earth is acting, a
civil, environmental and geotechnical engineer and engineering geologist are
required to study all ecological problems of the region before starting of the
project and also the expected ecological problems after the completion of
the project and suggestive remedial measures to protect the environment of
the region.
The civil engineer and engineering geologist must work together in the
field from the reconnaissance stage to the completion of the project with
precise co-ordination to identify the field problems and suggest possible
remedial measures in case of specific geo-engineering problems. Knowing
plate boundaries, fault lines, zones of subduction and soil structures are very
important which will determine what kind of foundation the engineer may be
able to use in certain areas and how to reinforce buildings, like if near to
earthquake zones, tropical storm zones, tornado zones and what have you.
Geological Mapping is the action of engineering geologist. He has to
prepare a geological map of the project site, based on field studies and of
aerial and satellite data interpretation. In careful areas sub-surface
geological maps are also necessary. Geological map of the project site is the
first hand document for geologist and civil engineers to take further action
for detailed exploration. This is hugely important to civil engineering because

of its initial impact on any project, without the mapping and study of an area
before construction, it may be considered a major risk the engineer is
undertaking building blindly, ignorant to the geological facts and potential
hazards surrounding the area.
Each type of civil engineering project requires planning that relates to
the design of the construction. Basically, the civil engineering head requires
a feasibility report of the project that shall be constructed. Engineering
geologists will prepare a basic project report on the basis of the
geological/exploration investigations taking all field aspects into concern.
The civil engineer then prepares a report based on the technical/geological
report and then prepares further project planning schedule taking civil
engineering parameters, finance resources, environmental and ecological
considerations and social conditions of the region into prospect. With this
information gathered from the engineering geologist the civil engineer in
conjunction with the geologist may make educated, precise and informed
calculation and decisions on the project and may also calculate a timeline on
project length, issues which may be encountered and how to combat the
same said issues.
Hyrogeological Maps: Groundwater is one of the major problems in
most of the major civil engineering works, in particularly in tunnel
excavation, underground excavations, underground rail lines, underground
mining, deep water foundations, oil and natural gas extraction structures,
dams and reservoir etc which cut across the groundwater table.
Hydrogeological parameters such as porosity, permeability, specific capacity,
specific retention, specific yield, aquifer parameters etc. are to be studied in
detail before execution of sub-surface civil engineering structures.
Groundwater flow depends upon local hydro-geological conditions and
structural controls of the region. Generally engineering geologist also
prepares structural frequency diagram to asses the movement of subsurface
water