Fundamentals of Engineering Geology

I'm writing this review as an instructor of university courses on engineering geology / geomechanics. Bell's book is an authoritative, well-written reference on basic principles of engineering geology. Although it is not divided this way, there are essentially two main parts - which could be termed, respectively, Geologic Background, and Engineering Behavior. In the part on Geologic Background, aspects of geology most necessary for understanding engineering behavior of earth materials are well presented, insightful, and remarkably complete. Chapters in this part of the book include: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, structure, discontinuities, groundwater and two chapters on geomorphological processes. The second part has chapters dealing with engineering properties and behavior of soils and rocks. Some of this material might be unsatisfying to the civil engineer with a strong background in soil or rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering. Nevertheless, this part of the book is also very useful reading. The author's vast experience working with geological materials in an engineering context is evident in the narrative descriptions of materials types and material properties, which are packed with insights, examples, data and references. The book will remain highly relevant to the geotechnical fields for the foreseeable future. It covers necessary background for graduate students and professionals, but is too detailed for the needs of most engineering undergraduates.

I'm writing this review as an instructor of university courses on engineering geology / geomechanics. Bell's book is an authoritative, well-written reference on basic principles of engineering geology. Although it is not divided this way, there are essentially two main parts - which could be termed, respectively, Geologic Background, and Engineering Behavior. In the part on Geologic Background, aspects of geology most necessary for understanding engineering behavior of earth materials are well presented, insightful, and remarkably complete. Chapters in this part of the book include: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, structure, discontinuities, groundwater and two chapters on geomorphological processes. The second part has chapters dealing with engineering properties and behavior of soils and rocks. Some of this material might be unsatisfying to the civil engineer with a strong background in soil or rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering. Nevertheless, this part of the book is also very useful reading. The author's vast experience working with geological materials in an engineering context is evident in the narrative descriptions of materials types and material properties, which are packed with insights, examples, data and references. The book will remain highly relevant to the geotechnical fields for the foreseeable future. It covers necessary background for graduate students and professionals, but is too detailed for the needs of most engineering undergraduates.