This text is directed at the heart of Engineering Geology where geology is used to identify potential problems arising from ground conditions. It describes how to investigate those conditions and to define an engineering response that will either avoid or reduce or even eliminate the problems revealed. The book presents the "big picture" that is so often lacking when only site details are available, but necessary for adequate engineering solutions.

This book explains the influence ground conditions can have upon engineering with rocks and soils, and upon designing, analysing and executing an engineered response to the geological and geomorphological processes acting on them; these subjects form the essence of Engineering Geology. The text is written for students of the subject, either geologists or engineers, who encounter the challenge of idealising the ground and its processes for the purposes of design and of quantifying them for the purpose of analysis. With this in mind the book describes how geology can dictate the design of ground investigations, influence the interpretation of its findings, and be incorporated into design and analysis. The reader is constantly reminded of basic geology; the simple things that constitute the big picture", a neglect of which may cause design and analyses to be at fault, and construction not to function as it should.

1. The Basis of Engineering Geology;- 2. Geological Materials;- 3. Geological Masses;- 4. Maps;- 5. Recovery of Samples;- 6. Field Tests and Measurements;- 7. Organisation, Design and Reporting of Site Investigations;- 8. Ground Response to Engineering and Natural Processes;- 9. Withdrawal of Support by Surface Excavations;- 10. Withdrawal of Support by Underground Excavations;- 11. Static Loading of the Ground;- 12. Dynamic Loading of the Ground;- 13. Ground Reaction to Changes in Fluid and Gas Pressures