Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-203). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 335-345). Also available in electronic version.

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

The intention of this work is to provide a deeper understanding of the engineering geological behaviour of granite saprolite and how this affects the engineering of such material, with specific reference to the construction of Injaka Dam in the north eastern portion of South Africa Whilst extensive investigation of weathered granites has been carried out internationally, very little detailed research on the nature of this material is documented locally. The construction of Injaka Dam afforded the opportunity to investigate the saprolite in detail. This study was initially submitted to the Department of Geology and Applied Geology at the University of Natal, Durban (renamed the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2004) to fulfill the requirement of a Master of Science degree in 200 I. Following this submission, and supported by recommendations made by the external examiners and the project supervisor, it was agreed to upgrade the work and submit this thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Intensive chemical weathering of granite at Injaka Dam site has resulted in the formation of thick saprolitic deposits overlying the weathered bedrock. The granite forms part of the 3 075 Ma Nelspruit Suite which has been intersected by the African erosion surface. The extensive, multicyclic period of weathering and erosion that formed this surface has resulted in deep (up to 35 m) chemical weathering of the underlying bedrock in this area. The construction of Injaka Dam on this material necessitated a thorough engineering geological investigation to understand the nature of the weathering and the possible influences it exerts on the engineering behaviour of the saprolite. This was accomplished by analysing the weathering of the granite and relating the effects of these weathering processes and changes to the engineering behaviour of the material. By applying various chemical and mineralogical indices to the weathered granite, the intensity of weathering and related changes could be quantified and compared with the engineering behaviour of the material. This was achieved by applying a series of engineering indices to the material and relating these to the quantified weathering changes. In this way tentative extrapolation of the engineering behaviour of the material could be gained and used to predict engineering performance. The resultant effects of the engineering behaviour of the material on the design and construction of the dam are also discussed. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu- Natal, 2004.

published_or_final_version / Earth Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Neossolos Litólicos and Regolíticos (Leptosols and Regosols) cover at least 15% of the Rio Grande do Sul state (RS) area. Those soils have been classified as low potential soils for general use, and also have been inadequately described in the field, due to difficulties in interpreting soil-saprolite-rock contacts. Besides, the classes of Neossolos, in the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS), are those needing improvements. The aim of this research was to analyze different profiles of Neossolos derived from volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral formation, disposed in a lito-climosequence in the RS. The research was separated into three investigation lines: a) chemical and mineralogical characterization of soil and saprolite profile; b)contributions to the morphologic analysis of Neossolos, including their saprolites; c) contributions to the taxonomic classification of Neossolo regolith. The results allowed verifying that the chemical and mineralogical characteristics and, consequently, the degree of weathering of the profiles are affected by the local climatic and geological conditions. Contacts of soil-saprolite, different from those found in the SiBCS, were identified in the field, through morphologic analysis. Thus, suggestions for the taxonomic classification of Neossolos derived from volcanic rocks in the RS were presented, seeking to contribute with the improvement of SiBCS. / Os Neossolos Litólicos e Regolíticos compreendem pelo menos 15% da área do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Esses solos têm sido classificados como materiais de baixo potencial de uso geral, ao mesmo tempo em que têm sido inadequadamente descritos no campo, devido à dificuldade em se interpretar os contatos solosaprolito- rocha. Além disso, as classes dos Neossolos Litólicos e Neossolos Regolíticos, no Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos (SiBCS), são consideradas as que mais necessitam de aprimoramentos. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar diferentes perfis de Neossolos Litólicos e Regolíticos derivados de rochas vulcânicas da Formação Serra Geral, dispostos em uma litoclimoseqüência no RS. O trabalho foi dividido em três linhas de investigação: a) caracterização química e mineralógica de Neossolos e saprolitos; b) contribuições à análise morfológica de Neossolos e saprolitos; c) contribuições à classificação taxonômica de Neossolos e saprolitos. Os resultados permitiram verificar que as características químicas e mineralógicas e, conseqüentemente, o grau de intemperismo dos perfis são afetados pelas condições climáticas e geológicas locais. Foram encontrados, através de análise morfológica no campo, diferentes contatos solo-saprolito, os quais não apresentam correspondência no SiBCS. Nesse caso, propostas à classificação taxonômica de Neossolos derivados de rochas vulcânicas no RS foram sugeridas, visando contribuir para a evolução do SiBCS.