Syllabus for

PGE 379 (16310)

Structural Geology for Engineers

Instructor:

Lecture Meeting (PGE 379):

MWF 2-3 pm, 3 credits, Rm. CPE 2.206.

Lab Meeting (PGE 176):

T 2-5 pm, 1 credit, Rm. CPE 2.206?

W 3-6 pm, 1 credit, Rm. CPE 2.206?

Grading:

University Policies

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate adjustments for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-62590 at 471-4382.
Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and incidents of dishonesty will be reported.

Tentative Course Outline:

Introduction to Lithospheric Deformation
  • - morphology and structure of continents and oceans
  • - buoyancy, subsidence and flexure
  • - plate tectonics
    Geometric Analysis of Map-scale Structures
  • - classification of structures (folds, faults, fractures)
  • - stereonets, 3 point problems, orientation of lines and planes
  • - interpretation of geologic maps
  • - construction of cross-sections
  • - methods of retro-deformation
    Stress and Strain
  • - 2d and 3d stress resolution
  • - Mohr Circle
  • - stress measurement techniques
  • - state of stress in the earth's crust
  • - applications to hydraulic fracturing
    Brittle Failure of Rocks
  • - Mohr failure envelope
  • - mirocracks and failure
  • - role of fluids in rock failure
  • - brittle-ductile transition
    Joints
  • - surface morphology
  • - relation to other structures
  • - origin and loading paths
  • - fractured reservoirs
    Faults
  • - classification (normal, strike-slip, thrust)
  • - mechanical theory
    Folds
  • - classification
  • - mechanics of folding
  • -diapiric structures
    Regional Structural Geology
  • - North America
  • - South America

    • Saturday Field-trip (to be scheduled): required

    Text (required; also on reserve in Engineering Library):

    Principles of Structural Geology, 1985, John Suppe, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 537 p.

    Lab Manual (optional):

    Basic Methods of Structural Geology, 1988, Stephen Marshak and Gautam Mitra, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 446 p.