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By S. F. Emmons

THE first paper which appears in the published Transactions of our Institute is that read by our respected Secretary at its first meeting in Wilkes-Barre, in May, 1871. It is entitled The Geological Distribution of Mining Districts in the United States, and presents a brief but masterly review of what was known of the distribution of our deposits of useful minerals, particularly the metals, not only from a geographical but from .a geological stand-point. At the request of Dr. Raymond, I agreed, somewhat hastily, perhaps, to write for this occasion a brief sketch of the geological distribution of the deposits of the useful metals in this country, in the light of the increased knowledge of the present day. In the time given no personal investigation was possible, and as it was therefore out of the question to attempt to make anything that could be considered an original contribution to the history of our ore-deposits, I have been obliged to limit myself to an examination of such published data within my reach as bore upon this subject, and could be consulted in the brief time I have been able to give to it. Had the geological investigations undertaken by the Tenth Census been continued systematically by the United States Geological Survey or by the Eleventh Census, it might have been possible to make a fairly-complete review of the subject. As it is, the principal result of my examination 1 has been to show how very unequal

Jan 1, 1913

By James N. Gundersen

Geological Engineering can be all-encompassing and it necessarily overlaps many applications of economic and applied geology. Other review articles will cover specific developments in rock mechanics, open-pit and underground mining, geology, geochemistry, geophysics and geohydrology- all of which overlap many fields of economic and applied geology. Nevertheless, there still remains a diversity of new and innovative applications of geology to engineering works through the activities of federal and state agencies, college and university departments, and industrial or consultant firms-particularly with respect to the properties of earth materials and their behavior "as-is" in nature or under the stress of engineering works. Governmental Agencies: Federal John T. McGill (Chief: Engineering Geology Branch; USGS, Denver) relates that recently the Engineering Geology Branch, together with several other branches of the Office of Environmental Geology, has undertaken the production of interpretive maps of unusual character. These maps are commonly called special-purpose or single concept maps. A folio, or series of maps, is prepared for each topographic quadrangle or area selected for study. The individual maps in a given series are printed on standard-size sheets so that they can be bound together if desired.

Jan 3, 1974

By P. J. Shenon

ENROLLMENT in geological and mining engineering curricula is declining at an accelerated rate despite the greatest need for trained men ever extant in the minerals industry. Industrial and military demand is mounting, but the number of freshmen selecting the mineral field continues to fall. Estimates on the needs of industry range as high as 30,000 new engineers a year. The current deficit is more than 60,000 engineers less than the 350,000 to 450,000 which eventually will be needed. The indisputable fact is that the colleges are turning out fewer and fewer engineers despite the greatest enrollment in colleges and universities ever experienced in the United States. In 1950 a record 52,000 young men stepped out of the confines of ivy covered walls with engineering degrees in their hands. By 1951, however, the number dropped to 41,000 and present enrollment indicates a national graduating class of only 25,000 for 1952. No letup in the drop is forecast. About 19,000 can be looked for in 1953 and 1954 may reach an unhappy 12,000. It becomes clear that something must be done to attract high school graduates to engineering. One immediate possibility could be to make the course burden carried by the engineering student somewhat lighter. The prescribed curriculum in many schools is such that the student takes the path of least resistance, and instead of training for an engineering future, studies for a vocation which will allow him to learn and at the same time get at least a nominal enjoyment out of college life. Review geological and mining curricula of 20 colleges and it will be found that the engineering student is a veritable pack mule compared to a lad taking liberal arts or some other non-technical program of study. The curriculum for geological engineering at one school calls for 202 semester hr, with almost 23 hr carried per semester. Multiply this figure by three hr, the minimum supposedly to be devoted to a credit and you get 69 hr per week. With a bare minimum of 84 hr for sleeping and eating, about two hours a day remain for recreation. However, the load of other schools investigated is about 19 hr. The University of Utah requires 238 quarter hr for graduation with a degree in geological engineering, while requiring only 183 quarter hr for baccalaureate degree from University college, Utah's liberal arts school. It can be stated with a measure of surety that the same proportions exist in other universities. The first step would be for ECPD to review its requirements for mining and geological engineering. It must recognize that mining and geological engineers operate in a specialized field, as do other types of engineers. Although a geological engineer may not design a bridge, as pictured by the ECPD Committee on Engineering Schools, his field of design calls for similar engineering precision, a knowledge of materials, construction methods, economic considerations, and financing. Six schools have been accredited by the ECPD. What is the basis for approval and can the requirements be modified and still be kept in line with the needs of the geological engineer? Course work from school to school varies with the exception of mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Even in those courses the not inconsiderable variation lends dubious creditability to the mean. One accredited school requires 7 1/3 semester hr of chemistry, compared with 24 hr required by another, making an average for the six schools of 17 1 /3 hr. Required credit hr in mechanics ranges from 4 to 18 and in surveying from 2 to 15. Several non-accredited schools require more hr than do the accredited schools in some courses. Why is the engineering student forced to carry such a back-breaking load? The answer is of course fairly obvious. He is irrevocably set apart from the rest of the student body because of the nature of his life's work. He is training for a place in a world where technology is becoming increasingly involved. He must be prepared to do a job now-and not later. Mining and geological engineering require the same essential backgrounds as other engineers, and more. The "more" is a knowledge of mining methods, metallurgy and geology for the mining engineer. The geological engineer must know in addition, mineralogy, petrography, and geophysics. The load is compounded finally by the addition of liberal arts courses. Should anything be done to relieve the situation? Today's engineer must be a whole man, capable of handling the tools of communication and with an understanding of the economics of industry. He must be able to write clear simple English, and he must be man who can think from some other position than bent over a work table. He must be aware of the history of his country and to some extent that of the world. Not all schools share this view. Only two of the accredited schools require history courses. However, five of the non-accredited schools make it mandatory. Four accredited and five of the nonaccredited schools require economics. Courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry are fundamental in engineer training. The average for the accredited schools could serve as a guide in

Jan 1, 1952

By J. L. Smith, A. L. Albee

This article presents a series of guidelines by which the geologist can evaluate the likelihood of surface faulting and its probable extent at any given site in Southern California and Nevada. The information is intended primarily for geologists concerned with establishing design criteria for proposed nuclear plants. The geologic problems involved in the location of a nuclear power plant are fundamentally no different from those for other types of installations. They fall into four main categories: foundation stability, landslides and slope stability, shaking due to earthquakes, and surface faulting. For problems in the first three categories the foundation engineer, the geologist, and the seismologist can provide criteria for plant location and design, and these problems can generally be economically handled by appropriate design measures for a project of the magnitude of a nuclear plant. However, problems in the last category — surface faulting — are more difficult to handle and require a unique evaluation. Accordingly, this paper will deal primarily with the problem of establishing design criteria for surface faulting, particularly as it affects nuclear facilities. A nuclear reactor is a power source that for greater safety is contained in a heavy, air-tight structure, just as gas, oil, water, and other power sources must be contained. Surface faulting is significant in that it may reduce the integrity of the containment by affecting critical exterior piping or by breaching of the containment. A similar significance exists relative to dams or tanks for the storage of water, gas, or oil, except that in these latter examples the breaching of the container automatically releases the fluids to do their damage. This is not necessarily the case with the rupture of a reactor containment structure because the function of the containment is totally protective, i.e., it is necessary only in the event that radioactive products are released from the reactor, and there are many other safeguards to pre- vent this release even if the containment is ruptured. At the present time, nuclear power plants must be located near large sources of water for cooling the steam generated. The construction of an industrial facility of any kind on the coast line is esthetically distasteful to most people since, unfortunately, there is not enough coast to fulfill all the needs and all the desires of all the people. In most cases where industrial facilities encroach on the lives of citizens, there is no mechanism other than zoning laws by which a person can effectively protest. But in the case of a nuclear facility, the public hearing required by the Atomic Energy Commission provides a forum for dissent, as in recent case histories, and the question of safety provides objectors with a weapon for fighting the construction of the plant. The nature of a public hearing for a nuclear plant is such that the prospective owner and operator must prove that there is no undue hazard, whereas the objectors need only demonstrate that there is a reasonable doubt. It is in this situation that geology becomes the Achilles Heel of nuclear power plant location. For his investigation, the geologist has natural exposures of rock at the ground surface and a limited number of trenches and drill holes to give him a fairly complete picture of the distribution of the various rock types. From the surficial data, he must infer three more dimensions — depth below the surface, past time, and future time. Unlike many problems faced by engineers, the geologist has only this one set of data from which to reach a conclusion — he is unable to reproduce the natural sequence of events in order to obtain another set of data for comparison. Hence, by the very deductive nature of a geologic conclusion, it is difficult to prove a geologic conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt even to other geologists — and perhaps one should say especially to other geologists because the experience and background of a geologist will strongly influence his conclusion, and no two geologists have exactly the same experience and training. The engineer and the public official would like the geologist to conclude that faulting cannot occur at a given site or to assign a numerical value to the probability of its occurrence — but no responsible geologist can do either of these things. Since government officials and others must make decisions that affect the public safety, it would seem that the geologic profession must attempt to establish criteria and

Jan 1, 1968

By M. P. Nackowski

Geological engineering expanded its role and significance during 1966 in the areas of construction, raw materials exploration and inventory, water supply and pollution, mechanical properties of earth material and regional environmental planning. Efforts varied immensely in scope and magnitude, in simplicity, difficulty and importance. Observations, measurements, and analysis encompassed both simple and sophisticated procedures. CONSTRUCTION Activities in construction ranged from preliminary to detailed evaluations of sites, development of preventative measures and designing corrective measures following construction failures. Most investigations concerned dam sites, highway locations and slope stability, building sites, tunnels and underground storage facilities.

Jan 2, 1967

By Daniel R. Stewart, Ralph R. Sacrison

The function of the geological engineer is to assist in mine planning and operations by collecting, interpreting, and applying geologic data to the solution of engineering problems. The geologist supports this effort by collecting additional geologic information specifically useful to the engineer. This use of geologic information reinforces the value of mine geology to the mining process beyond the traditional role of orebody definition. Work discussed includes: evaluation of caving strategies at the Climax and Henderson mines, support definition and slope stability at the Climax mine, and some uses of geology in cavability estimation for the Mount Emmons project.

Jan 1, 1984

By G. Austin Schroter

ALTHOUGH there is now an extensive literature on the bleaching clays, not a great deal of material is to be found concerning the geological fea-tures of these deposits and their bearing on problems of exploration and development. At the same time, chemical and crystallographic research on the clay minerals during the past few years has laid a suitable founda-tion upon which to base conclusions of economic value drawn from field observations. All of the criteria and deductions herein presented are based upon extensive field work by the senior author, both in the United States and Canada, and when subjected to the ultimate tests of development and exploitation they have held up remarkably well, despite the fact that many of these conclusions apparently have not been reviewed in the litera-ture heretofore. The nomenclature of the bleaching clays is rather confusing in the light of present-day commercial standards and has even led to litigation.76 The old term "fuller's earth" is largely based upon trade usage and the definition of the term therefore is dependent upon the changing standards of commerce. For statistical purposes the Bureau of Mines81 classes as "fuller's earth" all natural bleaching or filtering claylike materials that possess high adsorptive capacity without previous chemical treat-ment or activation. Conversely, the so-called activated or acid activated clays are now generally recognized as any clay mineral or mixture of the clay minerals whose adsorptive capacity has been developed to commercial standards by chemical or physical treatment. Therefore, without attempting to propose any additions to the nomen-clature of bleaching clays, this paper will refer to naturally adsorptive clays and activable clays, respectively, for the two types indicated.

Jan 1, 1940

By G. Austin Schroter, Ian Campbell

ALTHOUGH there is now an extensive literature on the bleaching clays, not a great deal of material is to be found concerning the geological features of these deposits and their bearing on problems of exploration and development. At the same time, chemical and crystallographic research on the clay minerals during the past few years has laid a suitable foundation upon which to base conclusions of economic value drawn from field observations. All of the criteria and deductions herein presented are based upon extensive field work by the senior author, both in the United States and Canada, and when subjected to the ultimate tests of development and exploitation they have held up remarkably well, despite the fact that many of these conclusions apparently have not been reviewed in the literature heretofore. The nomenclature of the bleaching clays is rather confusing in the light of present-day commercial standards and has even led to litigation." The old term "fuller's earth" is largely based upon trade usage and the definition of the term therefore is dependent upon the changing standards of commerce. For statistical purposes the Bureau of Mines81 classes as "fuller's earth" all natural bleaching or filtering claylike materials that possess high adsorptive capacity without previous chemical treatmerit or activation. Conversely, the so-called activated or acid activated clays are now generally recognized as any clay mineral or mixture of the clay minerals whose adsorptive capacity has been developed to commercial standards by chemical or physical treatment. Therefore, without attempting to propose any additions to the nomenclature of bleaching clays, this paper will refer to naturally adsorptive clays and activable clays, respectively, for the two types indicated.

Jan 1, 1940

By G. Austin Schroter

ALTHOUGH there is now an extensive literature on the bleaching clays, not a great deal of material is to be found concerning the geological fea-tures of these deposits and their bearing on problems of exploration and development. At the same time, chemical and crystallographic research on the clay minerals during the past few years has laid a suitable founda-tion upon which to base conclusions of economic value drawn from field observations. All of the criteria and deductions herein presented are based upon extensive field work by the senior author, both in the United States and Canada, and when subjected to the ultimate tests of development and exploitation they have held up remarkably well, despite the fact that many of these conclusions apparently have not been reviewed in the litera-ture heretofore. The nomenclature of the bleaching clays is rather confusing in the light of present-day commercial standards and has even led to litigation." The old term "fuller's earth" is largely based upon trade usage and the definition of the term therefore is dependent upon the changing standards of commerce. For statistical purposes the Bureau of Mines81 classes as "fuller's earth" all natural bleaching or filtering claylike materials that possess high adsorptive capacity without previous chemical treat-ment or activation. Conversely, the so-called activated or acid activated clays are now generally recognized as any clay mineral or mixture of the clay minerals whose adsorptive capacity has been developed to commercial standards by chemical or physical treatment. Therefore, without attempting to propose any additions to the nomen-clature of bleaching clays, this paper will refer to naturally adsorptive clays and activable clays, respectively, for the two types indicated.

Jan 1, 1940

By J. J. Van Nouhuys

THE economics of aerial survey and the technical processes by the aid of which vertical and oblique aerial photographs are turned into line maps showing the most profuse topographical detail such as contours, rivers, roads, plantations, habitations and cultivated lands do not concern us here. They have been ably and exhaustively described in the publi-cations of the British War Office, handbooks on surveying methods and on photogrammetry and in the South African mining, engineering and geological press. Suffice it to mention that for geological interpretation vertical photo-graphs are used on such scales as soon to 1/5,000 to 1/10,000, overlapping each other by 55 to 60 per cent in the direction of flight and some 10 to 20 per cent sideways on to the next sequence or strip. Through this duplication in the overlap the stereoscopic examination becomes possible. The standards by which monochrome aerial photographs are inter-preted can be grouped under the following headings: 1. Continuity.-The continuity of topographic relief not obtainable on the ground owing to the smallness of man relative to that relief. Here lies the greatest value of aerial survey with relation to geology. An immediate alignment can often be made of drainages running in different directions on each side of a hill; saddles and gorges in the mountainsides; abrupt termination of outcrop or indubitable signs of faulting. Most conclusive evidence is thus often obtained about faults which may be perfectly visible at one place on the ground but cannot elsewhere be identified because of decreased throw. Similarly, dikes can often be followed notwithstanding frequent interruption and disappearance under the soil. Scattered outcrop in scrub-covered or bush-covered country can be conveniently located and often correlated, with a large saving of time compared with field work. The same applies to geological contacts. Once these have been established at a few points on the ground, the intervening stretches can be drawn in.

Jan 1, 1937

By J. J. Van Nouhuys

THE economics of aerial survey and the technical processes by the aid of which vertical and oblique aerial photographs are turned into line maps showing the most profuse topographical detail such as contours, rivers, roads, plantations, habitations and cultivated lands do not concern us here. They have been ably and exhaustively described in the publications of the British War Office, handbooks on surveying methods and on photogrammetry and in the South African mining, engineering and geological press. Suffice it to mention that for geological interpretation vertical photographs are used on such scales as 1/5000 to 1/10,000, overlapping each other by 55 to 60 per cent in the direction of flight and some 10 to 20 per cent sideways on to the next sequence or strip. Through this duplication in the overlap the stereoscopic examination becomes possible. The standards by which monochrome aerial photographs are interpreted can be grouped under the following headings: 1. Continuity.-The continuity of topographic relief not obtainable on the ground owing to the smallness of man relative to that relief. Here lies the greatest value of aerial survey with relation to geology. An immediate alignment can often be made of drainages running in different directions on each side of a hill; saddles and gorges in the mountainsides; abrupt termination of outcrop or indubitable signs of faulting. Most conclusive evidence is thus often obtained about faults which may be perfectly visible at one place on the ground but cannot elsewhere be identified because of decreased throw. Similarly, dikes can often be followed notwithstanding frequent interruption and disappearance under the soil. Scattered outcrop in scrub-covered or bush-covered country can be compared with field work. The same applies to geological contacts. Once these have been 3stablished at a few points on the ground, the intervening stretches can be drawn in.

Jan 1, 1937

By Richard E. Goodman

Rock slope stability assumes different roles in decision making as a mining venture develops and, accordingly, geological investigations vary in thought and in deed according to the project stage. During exploration, stability questions bear on the decision whether or not to mine, because their resolution affects the cost of mining. During the mine lay-out stage, stability is a key factor in deciding how to mine. Finally, during mine operation, stability affects safety and operating costs, and therefore, pit productivity. Among the many considerations influencing stability, rock mass classification and geological environmental factors count heavily. The rock mass behavioral class depends upon the rock character and its degree of fracturation. The loads on the rock are derived from the environmental factors of initial state of stress and the water regime. Of course, stability is also tied to a host of non-geological factors such as the pit geometry, mining style, relative wealth, philosophy of mine operation, and accident history. METHODS OF STABILITY EVALUATION AND CORRESPONDING INVESTIGATORY TOOLS The purposes of the geological investigation are to identify and evaluate the geological factors influencing stability so that the vital questions can be analyzed. The tools selected for stability analysis reflect the stage of development of the mining scheme and therefore the geological investigations, which must furnish data for the analyses and must vary with the project stage. For exploration and mine planning, the methods of resolving stability questions must meet the need to evaluate numerous parameters in limited time; examples of such methods are stereographic projections (1, 2, 3) charted solutions(4) and simple physical models (5, 6). An investigation program that employs geological mapping tools and aids to mapping, such as geophysics, with relatively few rock tests, is in balance with these analytical methods. First data about the water regime are obtained from observed piezometric levels, and the initial state of stress is queried simply through geological inference and experience. In the layout stage more elaborate physical scale models (7) and perhaps finite element models (8, 9, 10, 11, 12), will be relevant to the design process and therefore much more detailed geological investigation is required. The scale of observation of both rock material and joints will be significantly enlarged and mechanical tests of rock and joint strength

Jan 1, 1972

By D. W. Brunton

THE maps of our large mines are usually prepared with the greatest care; and it is somewhat singular that, in comparison with the great amount of time and money spent in surveying and platting, so little actual use is made of them. Almost the only purpose for which a completed survey-map is afterwards consulted, is the determination of the relative position of the different workings to each other, and to the boundary-lines of the property. After the completion of such a map, it should be made the beginning of another, and in most cases a far more important, undertaking, namely, its utilization as -a starting-point for a complete inventory of the company's underground possessions. The ordinary mine-survey map, being nothing but a record of what has been done, is, in one sense, only ancient history. To increase its value, such additions should be made as will render it a complete statement of the amount and value of ore in sight at any particular time, and a guide for future develop¬ments. Comparatively little extra labor is involved in this undertaking, since the larger and most expensive part of the work has already been completed when the mine has been surveyed and mapped. The necessary additions consist in working out, and platting on the maps, the geology of the mine as exposed in the workings, in such a manner that the geological survey may be of daily use in the development and operation of the mine. The first step towards the production of a geological map consists in tracing individual level-sheets from the general or composite map. The area to be included, outside of the property in question, will depend very much on local conditions; but, for geological, legal and commercial reasons, it should be extended as far as reasonably practicable. The scale to be

Sep 1, 1905

By E. L. Bruce

GOLD occurs in many mineral deposits in the rocks of the Canadian Shield. It is present in the ores of many base metals and a considerable quantity is recovered as a by-product from the production of copper at Noranda, of nickel and copper at Sudbury and of copper and zinc at. Flinflon. But the greater part of the gold production of Canada is from deposits in which gold is the only metal of value. No gold is obtained from placer deposits within the borders of the Canadian Shield. A brief review of the geological relations of some of the gold deposits of the Canadian Shield will be presented in an attempt to explain certain associations. Only those which are being worked for their gold content will be considered and descriptions will be conned to representative types of deposits, chiefly those of major importance; a few others, differ-ing in certain features from those of the older and larger mines, will be included in order to illustrate the general conditions in which gold occurs in these ancient rocks. Brief summaries will be given of the geological relations of the Beattie and Siscoe mines of northern Quebec, of the mines of the Porcupine and Kirkland Lake areas of northeastern Ontario and of the Howey, Central Patricia and Little Long Lac mines of northwest-ern Ontario. Genetic relations to igneous rocks of granitic composition, outcropping in the vicinity, have been assumed for many of these deposits. Undoubt-edly the ore minerals have been derived from igneous sources and, for some occurrences, there is evidence suggestive of genetic relationship between the ore bodies and neighbouring intrusive rocks. During the past few years, however,, many investigators have expressed doubt of the genetic relationship of certain ore bodies to igneous masses near which they occur. As will be seen from references in the following descriptions the importance of the structural conditions in localizing deposition has been realized. This is pointed out for Canadian pre-Cambriang old deposits by E. T. Dougherty, who also refers to the

Jan 1, 1937

By E. L. Bruce

GOLD occurs ill many mineral deposits in the rocks of the Canadian Shield. It is present in the ores of many base metals and a considerable quantity is recovered as a by-product from the production of copper at Noranda, of nickel and copper at Sudbury and of copper and zinc at Flinflon. But the greater part of the gold production of Canada is from deposits in which gold is the only metal of value. No gold is obtained from placer deposits within the borders of the Canadian Shield. A brief review of the geological relations of some of the gold deposits of the Canadian Shield will be presented in an attempt to explain certain associations. Only those which are being worked for their gold content will be considered and descriptions will be confined to representative types of deposits, chiefly those of major importance; a few others, differing in certain features from those of the older and larger mines, will be included in order to illustrate the general conditions in which gold occurs in these ancient rocks. Brief summaries will be given of the geological relations of the Beattie and Siscoe mines of northern Quebec, of the mines of the Porcupine and Kirkland Lake areas of northeastern Ontario and of the Howey, Central Patricia and Little Long Lac mines of northwestern Ontario. Genetic relations to igneous rocks of granitic composition, outcropping in the vicinity, have been assumed for many of these deposits. Undoubtedly the ore minerals have been derived from igneous sources and, for some occurrences, there is evidence suggestive of genetic relationship between the ore bodies and neighbouring intrusive rocks. During the past few years, however, many investigators have expressed doubt of the genetic relationship of certain ore bodies to igneous masses near which they occur. As will be seen from references in the following descriptions the importance of the structural conditions in localizing deposition has been realized. This is pointed out for Canadian pre-Cambrian gold deposits by E. T. Dougherty, who also refers to the

Jan 1, 1937

The Geological Society of America, 419 West 117th St., New York, N. Y. Charles-P. Berkey, Secretary. The only official publication of the Society is the Bulletin. It contains the Proceedings of the annual meeting of the Society, as well as the Proceedings of the affiliated societies?the Mineralogical Society of America, and the Paleontological Society?and of Section E of the American Association for the Advancement of

Jan 1, 1933

By E. L. Jr. Spain

This study was undertaken primarily to determine the reasons for certain varia-tions in the soundness of gravel aggregate taken from a number of widely separated points on the Tennessee River. Under laboratory tests, concrete made with these various aggregates it some cases exhibited marked differences in specific gravity, crushing strength and durability. Gravel was studied in detail from Chattanooga to the mouth of the river and to a lesser extent from Chattanooga to Knoxville. The causes of variation were determined, and variational curves were constructed, which accurately predict the composition of aggregate at any point on the river and therefore its relative suitability for use in concrete. The aggregate at any point is suited for making sound concrete; the variance of suitability is due to varying percentages of sandstone and weathered material, which are less sound than other constituents. INTRODUCTION When it is stated that the aggregate from one point is inferior to that from another, it must not be construed to mean that the gravel is unfit for use. The classification upon which such aggregate ratings are based is largely arbitrary, thus inferiority or superiority is merely relative. Samples of gravel were selected from stockpiles at the dams of the Tennessee Valley Authority under construction, from the stockpiles of private companies along the river, and from samples taken by the gravel-exploration barge of the T. V. A. One hundred or more gravels of each size studied were selected at random by taking small handfulls while walking around the piles. These were separated according to the differ-ent mineral or rock constituents present, and the percentage of each constituent was obtained by counting. At least three such samples were taken from each size, and all checked with one another within a few per cent. The results were then averaged. In order to check on the accu-racy of such sampling, a whole sample was taken from one point after the gravel was thoroughly mixed. The two methods gave approximately identical results.

Jan 1, 1937

By N. A. Rose, E. L. Spain

THIS study was undertaken primarily to determine the reasons for certain variations in the soundness of gravel aggregate taken from a number of widely separated points on the Tennessee River. Under laboratory tests, concrete made with these various aggregates in some cases exhibited marked differences in specific gravity crushing strength and durability. Gravel was studied in detail from Chattanooga to the mouth of the river and to a lesser extent from Chattanooga to Knoxville. The causes of variation were determined, and variational curves were constructed, which accurately predict the composition of aggregate at any point on the river and therefore its relative suitability for use in concrete. The aggregate at any point is suited for making sound concrete; the variance of suitability is due to varying percentages of sandstone and weathered material, which are less sound than other constituents. INTRODUCTION When it is stated that the aggregate from one point is inferior to that from another, it must not be construed to mean that the gravel is unfit for use. The classification upon which such aggregate ratings are based is largely arbitrary, thus inferiority or superiority is merely relative. Samples of gravel were selected from stockpiles at the dams of the Tennessee Valley Authority under construction, from the stockpiles of private companies along the river, and from samples taken by the gravel- exploration barge of the T. V. A. One hundred or more gravels of each size studied were selected at random by taking small handfulls while walking around the piles. These were separated according to the different mineral or rock constituents present, and the percentage of each constituent was obtained by counting. At least three such samples were taken from each size, and all checked with one another within a few per cent. The results were then averaged. In order to check on the accuracy of such sampling, a whole sample was taken from one point after the gravel was thoroughly mixed. The two methods gave approximately identical results. SOURCES AND TYPES OF MATERIALS The sources of gravel found in the Tennessee River are numerous and varied. The river itself traverses several geologic provinces, each

Jan 1, 1937

By E. L. Jr. Spain

This study was undertaken primarily to determine the reasons for certain varia-tions in the soundness of gravel aggregate taken from a number of widely separated points on the Tennessee River. Under laboratory tests, concrete made with these various aggregates it some cases exhibited marked differences in specific gravity, crushing strength and durability. Gravel was studied in detail from Chattanooga to the mouth of the river and to a lesser extent from Chattanooga to Knoxville. The causes of variation were determined, and variational curves were constructed, which accurately predict the composition of aggregate at any point on the river and therefore its relative suitability for use in concrete. The aggregate at any point is suited for making sound concrete; the variance of suitability is due to varying percentages of sandstone and weathered material, which are less sound than other constituents.

Jan 1, 1937

By Walter W. Bradley, OLAF P. JENKINS

IN April of this year the California State Division of Mines (formerly known as the State Mining Bureau) observed its 50th anniversary. The Division serves as a bureau of information and, an encyclopaedia of California's economic minerals. Its primary function is to make economic surveys of the mineral resources of California, their development and utilization. Geological studies also constitute a related part of the work as being necessary in tracing and out- lining ore deposits and the most likely areas in which to find them. The results of the Bureau's data-gathering are published in the form of annual reports of the State Mineralogist, and in bulletins on specific substances. The Division is just completing a series of reports on the mineral resources of the State arranged by counties.. It is now starting .a new series of reports arranged according to substances particularly the so-called non- metallic commercial groups. Of these the following are now available: clays, barite, and mineral paint. These will be followed by reports on feldspar and silica, diatomaceous earth, limestone and others

Jan 1, 1930