(SEM 1/2) Construction Technology 2 Flashcards
What is Earth constantly in?
A state of constant change.
What is the Cycle of Geology?
The Cycle of Geology encompasses all the major processes that must be cyclic, or they would grind to a halt.
What part does Land have in the Cycle of Geology?
Land encompasses the erosion and destruction of rock.
What part does Sea have in the Cycle of Geology?
Sea encompasses desposition of the earth into forming new sediments.
What part does Underground have in the Cycle of Geology?
Underground encompasses how rocks are created and deformed.
What two things are vital to the Cycle of Geology?
Earth Movements and Plate Tectonics.
What are the three layers of the Earth’s surface?
- Outer crust, < 100 km thick, various solid silicate rocks;
- Mantle, 2900 km thick, hot plastic iron silicates;
- Core, 3500 km radius, largely of molten iron.
What are the 4 Geological Structures?
Folds and faults, Synclines, Anticlines, Unconformities.
What are “Folds and faults” in relation to Geological Structures?
“Folds and faults” are when rocks are subjected to pressure they
can either deform (fold) or fracture (fault).
What are “Synclines” in relation to Geological Structures?
“Synclines” are folds where the youngest beds
are preserved in the centre (‘core’) of the fold.
What are “Anticlines” in relation to Geological Structures?
“Anticlines” are folds in which the oldest beds are preserved in the core of the fold.
What are “Unconformities” in relation to Geological Structures?
“Unconformities” are a major gap in the geological sequence where there are big differences in the beds below and above the break in sedimentation.
What is the superposition principle?
Sediments that cannot be deposited below previous sediment.
What does the latin term “Terra Firma” mean in relation to ground engineering?
“Terra Firma” means “unstable ground” in latin.
What are the 5 significant aspects of the Earth in Engineering?
- Civil Engineering works that are carries out in the ground.
- Unstable Ground that may lead to unstable foundations.
- Site Investigation to determine ground conditions.
- Unforseen ground conditions not picked up in a site investigation.
- Civil engineering design that can accommodate any understood ground condition.
What are the 3 main broad rock groups?
Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary.
What is the basic definition summary of a “Rock”?
Rocks are mixtures of materials with varying properties.
What are “Igneous Rocks”?
Igneous rocks are crystallized from molten magma underground as lava flows.
They are a mosaic of interlocking crystals.
It is Massive (structureless).
It has uniform and high strength.
It is commonly made of granite and basalt.
What are “Sedimentary Rocks”?
Sedimentary rocks are erosional debris on the Earth’s surface.
It accumulates in deposition basins such as the Sea.
The strucutre is either: Layered, bedded or bedding planes.
It has variable low and weak in keeping planar weaknesses in check such as cohesion.
It is made primarily of sandstone, limestone and clay.
What are “Metamorphic Rocks”?
These are rocks altered by heart/pressure.
They are mostly deep in mountain chains.
It is a mosaic of interlocking crystals.
It is made of schist and slate.
What are Minerals?
Minerals are compounds of elements, fixed properties. Most are silicates.
In regards to “Igneous Rocks” what distance is magma usually created?
0-100 km within the Earth’s crust.
What is the common temperature band where compositions of rock melt?
800-1200 degrees.
What temperatures and pressures are Metamorphic rocks created at?
High temperatures up to 600 degrees and high pressures around 500 MPa at a 20 KM depth.
What state does metamorphism take place in?
Metamorphism takes place in a solid state.
What is “Regional Metamorphism”?
The high temperature and pressure that occurs in mountain chains where plate bounderies collide.
What is “Thermal or contact Metamorphism?”
Thermal or contact metamorphism is the involvement of high temperatures only.
Occurs around igneous intrusions where the rock has been baked.
What is “Dynamic metamorphism”?
Is where there is only high pressure morphing the rock.
What is “Lithification”?
Lithification is weak or loose sediment.
What are the three forms of burial for sedimentary rocks?
Compaction, cementation and recrystallisation.
What are “Clastic” rocks?
Clastic rocks are made of fragments of prexisting rocks and minerals.
What are “Non-Clastic” rocks?
Non-clastic sedimentary rocks refer to any sedimentary rock that does not form as a result of deposited rock fragments in a sediment layer.
What are “Biological” rocks?
Organic sedimentary rocks, like coal, form from hard, biological materials like plants, shells, and bones that are compressed into rock.
What are the three forms of Clastic rocks?
- Rudaceous: coarse grained
- Arenaceous: medium grained 0.06-2 mm
- Argillaceous: fine grained < 0.06 mm
What are the two forms of non-clastic rocks (chemical)?
- Carbonates, consisting mainly of calcite
- Non-carbonates
What rock types are classified under “Clastic rocks”?
- Conglomerate - rounded fragments < 2 mm
- Breccia - angular fragments
- Sandstone and allied rocks
- Siltstone - quartz particles
- Clay and allied rocks
What rock types are classified under “Non-clastic rocks (chemical)”?
- Limestone and allied rocks.
- Flint and chert - nodular or banded silica.
- Coal and lignite – peat/plant material.
- Salt and gypsum – evaporites.
What are the two geological structures of Sedimentary rocks?
Cross-bedding and Ripple marks.