ENGINEERING GEOLOGY  LABORATORY (GSC321L)

Photographs From Field Trips

Dr. Nourse regularly takes his Engineering Geology students on field trips to observe examples of  civil engineering projects resulting from interactions between engineers, geologists, and the natural world.  Through these trips, students gain experience with basic scientific observation of natural geologic phenomena and processes.  They learn to classify soils and rocks in their natural setting, and create geologic maps and cross sections.   Brunton compasses are utilized to measure orientations of weak planes or fractures in potentially unstable roadcuts.  Flow meters and weirs are used to the gauge surface flow through open channels.  Some trips explore the geologic foundations and basic structural design of local  dams and bridges.  Students have ample opportunity to apply mathematical analysis to real data; e.g., calculation of angles,volumes, weights, forces, stresses, strengths, discharge, power, and energy. 

Please peruse the photographs below to get an idea of some of the places we visit in Engineering Geology Laboratory:

Geological mapping exercise at Puddingstone Reservoir                Morris Dam, with overflowing spillway, February, 1998

Students prepare for field work on Glendora Ridge             Measurement of unstable slope on Glendora Ridge Road.

Road.  Cow Canyon Saddle, February, 2001                        Mount San Antonio in the distance

Students investigate daylighting foliation planes along        Washout of Glendora Mountain Road after storm

Glendora Ridge Road                                                            of February 13-14, 1995

Students on crest of San Antonio Dam take notes                 Students approach the spillway of San Antonio Dam

pertaining to dam stability.

Bridge to Nowhere on the East Fork San Gabriel River       Bridge to Nowhere, closer view looking southwest

Flood of January, 1969.  View looking down lower San Antonio Creek toward Shinn Road bridge and San Antonio Dam