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BOOK REVIEW ENGINEERING GEOLOGY by A. Parthasarathy, V. Panchpakesan and R. Nagarajan Publisher: Wiley (India), 504p. Price: Rs.495. There have been quite a number of books written on the important topic of engineering geology by Indian authors. But, as far as the Indian scenario is concerned, in almost all the colleges and universities in India, there has been a lack of amalgamation between the subject and its application studies. Fortunately, the new book, Engineering Geology by Prof. Parthasarathy, Panchpakesan and Nagarajan has followed a novel approach to a text book in this subject, its applications and implications for India. The book has been divided into twenty chapters, spread across four sections. Every chapter has been concluded with a summary, objective type questions, review questions and answers, which is unique and beneficial for undergraduate and post graduate students. The first section pertains to basic geological science. The initial chapter of Geological Concepts and Data introduces the readers to the earth, its origin, structure and dynamics, creating a ground work for understanding of the applied part. The authors have done a good job to acquaint the readers with the elementary knowledge of the earth, though a little more elaboration and illustrations were desired in the chapter. The second chapter takes up the Geological Processes on the Earth Surfaces; the chapter delves into the details of weathering, its types, causative agents and their influences. The authors have carefully structured the chapter so as to keep the students’ interested while at the same time divulging the mechanism and effects of weathering, especially relevant to the topic of engineering geology. Illustrations at places are not self-explanatory which can be improved upon. A lot regarding the mineralogical make-up of the earth; their optical, physical and chemical attributes and the petrology has been discussed in chapter three Materials of the Earth’s Crust. The discussion of crystal systems and classes is very informative for the readers. The QAPF classification of plutonic rocks can be helpful for personnel working in igneous terrain. A little more explanation with pictures on sedimentary and metamorphic rocks would have been helpful to make the book more impressive. Chapter four on Disposition of rocks, gives an account of the structures present in rocks. This is one of the most vital topics in the field of engineering geology as they have a direct bearing on the engineering projects. The information provided in this chapter is pretty brief though the illustrations provided are quite good. A

concise discussion of the design implications of earth structure would have been welcomed. The second section in the book ponders into Engineering Geology and Allied fields. Chapter five, Geomorphology and Hydrology gives a basic understanding of geomorphic processes & forms and hydrological and groundwater movements. They constitute an important part in engineering geology. Knowledge of landscape evolution and existing surface topography is very important for any engineering design. The landforms created due to fluvial, aeolian and glacial processes have been well explained in this chapter. The hydrological information of the Indian province is also well documented. The information provided pertaining to geothermal springs in Indian is rather new and very revealing. Though, explanations about the hydro-mechanical properties, their genesis and implications would have embellished the chapter. The next chapter, Natural Hazard and Environment, discusses earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides, floods, droughts and other environmental hazards. A concise discussion on earthquake, landslides and draught in India has been mentioned in the chapter. The emerging topics like waste disposal, rock water interaction have also been touched upon in this chapter but need appropriate improvement. Chapter seven on Clay Mineralogy, the knowledge of which is essential for civil, mining and petroleum industries. The authors are able to give a detailed account about structural and crystal characteristics of clays, their properties, identification methods and genesis. Taking a leap ahead, the next chapter goes into Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System. This chapter is one of the most informative and concisely written part of the book. The chapter highlights the various remote sensing techniques and their varied applications. Quarrying, Excavation and Drilling, mostly deals about bore hole drilling, core logging. A lot is left to be desired in this chapter as far as the name of the chapter is concerned, which I hope gets added in the next edition by the learned authors. The next chapter, Geophysical Methods, important methods for sub-surface exploration has been listed. The methods have been nicely illustrated and the significant mathematical functions are given. The chapter eleventh of the book, Geotechnical Aspects of soil, discusses the characterization of soils and their engineering properties which are quite relevant to the JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.84, SEPT. 2014

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subject. Significance of rock mechanics, stress, failure criterion, engineering properties of rocks and factors affecting them has been laid out in the chapter, GeoEngineering. Hopefully, other failures criterion important for rock masses can be included in the next edition of the book. Engineering Rock Classifications and Engineering Behavior of Rock have been discussed in the next two chapters. All the popular classification schemes have been enumerated. This chapter is fairly useful for beginners who want to apply these classifications orders to practical geotechnical problems. However, for a little advance users other classification systems like GSI and RMi can be included in the book. Basic engineering attributes of major rock types along with an exhaustive table has also been given. Though, some methods regarding the testing of the material should also have been noted in the chapter. Chapter fifteen and sixteen address Dams & Reserviors and Tunnels & Underground Openings, respectively. These two chapters detail the types of civil structures and the geological influence in them. Both the chapters are in need for some elaboration, which hopefully will be done in the next edition. Landslides, the seventeenth chapter, gives a brief about the types of landslides, its causes and controls. Landslides being a vast topic need a lot accreditation than that is given in the book. Rocks in Construction, take into account the engineering assets of rocks as a construction material and medium. Some very good examples from India have been tabulated in this chapter. Chapter nineteen, Case Studies, is

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probably the standout chapter in this book. Indian examples of dam, reservoirs, tunnels have been listed here but most of them are quite old. Inclusion of some new pioneering geotechnical work will definitely enhance this chapter. Some examples concerning to major landslides in India should also have been given a space in this chapter. Final chapter in the book is on the Geology of India. The illustration and discussion on the geology is done in a state-wise manner, which is quite helpful for the readers and researchers alike, but it also has increased the number of pages. The book is commendable as it takes up the vast subject in a lucid and a little elaborative manner. The authors have taken enough pain to extract exhaustive geological and geotechnical data from numerous duly acknowledged sources. The book will indeed be very helpful to undergraduate and post graduate students who are not well acquainted with this subject, but for researchers it is more of a supplementary book. This book will certainly add value to the teaching of Engineering Geology and deserves a place in libraries across India. I congratulate and salute Prof. Parthasarathy and Prof. Panchpakesan, their passion for the subject is clearly reflected in this book.

Department of Earth Sciences IIT Bombay Powai Mumbai-400076 E: [email protected]

T. N. SINGH