What is a Concrete Gravity Dam? A Concrete Gravity Dam is also known as “Gravity Arch Dam,” and is a freshwater-retaining concrete structure that has a wider footing (base) than the top-section. The purpose of a Concrete Gravity Dam is to maintain a low center of gravity, in order to avoid collapsing in the event…

Porosity (n) “Porosity” (n), in the geological engineering field, is a percentage value that represents the bulk volume of a rock or soil, that is occupied by the void space within. Porosity (n) Formula Porosity (n) = [(Volume of Voids ÷ Total Volume) x 100%]

Connate Water Definition Connate Water: In geology, connate water is groundwater that has been trapped within the pore space of a sedimentary rock since its original deposition. Connate water is also referred to as “fossil water” due to a long history of non-exposure.

Fault Scarp Fault Scarp: In the field of geology, a dip-slip fault scarp is a steep slope that is formed directly by fault movement. It occurs along the line of a normal fault, reverse fault, or transform fault. A fault scarp represents the planer surface of the fault before erosion and weathering modify it.

Twinning Definition Twinning is the observed intergrowth of multiple crystals in a symmetrical fashion. This term applies to the examination of rock thin sections, in the field of optical mineralogy.

Silicates Definition In the fields of geology and mineralogy, the term “silicates” refers to compounds whose crystal structure contains SiO4 tetrahedra. Silicates are either isolated or joined to form groups, rings, single or double chains, sheets, or three-dimensional frameworks.