QUESTION 1
1.1 Bowen’s Reaction Series (Discontinuous Series)
High temperature minerals crystallise first: Olivine → Pyroxene → Amphibole → Biotite (low
temperature).
Magma types and composition:
Ultramafic (low silica), Mafic, Intermediate, Felsic (high silica).
Intrusive rocks: Peridotite → Gabbro → Diorite → Granite.*
Extrusive equivalents: Komatiite → Basalt → Andesite → Rhyolite.*
Colour progression: Dark → Light.
1.2 Seven major mineral groups:
Silicates – Quartz (SiO₂)
Oxides – Hematite (Fe₂O₃)
Carbonates – Calcite (CaCO₃)
Sulfates – Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O)
Sulfides – Pyrite (FeS₂)
Halides – Halite (NaCl)
Native elements – Gold (Au)
1.3
a) Olivine
b) Serpentine
c) Serpentine minerals weaken rock strength, increase weathering, and may cause
instability in foundations.
QUESTION 2
2.1
Total mass = 180000 + 45000 = 225000 kg
Force = mass × g = 225000 × 9.81 = 2207250 N = 2207.250 kN
Stress = Force ÷ Area
Area = 2.5 × 2.5 = 6.25 m²
Stress = 2207250 ÷ 6.25 = 353160 Pa = 353.160 kPa
2.2
a) UCS = 95 MPa (when σ₃ = 0)
b) UCS determined as intercept ≈ 95 MPa (linear trend)
2.3
a) E = σ ÷ ε = 45 ÷ 0.0015 = 30000 MPa
b) This indicates a stiff rock as high modulus reflects resistance to deformation.
1.1 Bowen’s Reaction Series (Discontinuous Series)
High temperature minerals crystallise first: Olivine → Pyroxene → Amphibole → Biotite (low
temperature).
Magma types and composition:
Ultramafic (low silica), Mafic, Intermediate, Felsic (high silica).
Intrusive rocks: Peridotite → Gabbro → Diorite → Granite.*
Extrusive equivalents: Komatiite → Basalt → Andesite → Rhyolite.*
Colour progression: Dark → Light.
1.2 Seven major mineral groups:
Silicates – Quartz (SiO₂)
Oxides – Hematite (Fe₂O₃)
Carbonates – Calcite (CaCO₃)
Sulfates – Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O)
Sulfides – Pyrite (FeS₂)
Halides – Halite (NaCl)
Native elements – Gold (Au)
1.3
a) Olivine
b) Serpentine
c) Serpentine minerals weaken rock strength, increase weathering, and may cause
instability in foundations.
QUESTION 2
2.1
Total mass = 180000 + 45000 = 225000 kg
Force = mass × g = 225000 × 9.81 = 2207250 N = 2207.250 kN
Stress = Force ÷ Area
Area = 2.5 × 2.5 = 6.25 m²
Stress = 2207250 ÷ 6.25 = 353160 Pa = 353.160 kPa
2.2
a) UCS = 95 MPa (when σ₃ = 0)
b) UCS determined as intercept ≈ 95 MPa (linear trend)
2.3
a) E = σ ÷ ε = 45 ÷ 0.0015 = 30000 MPa
b) This indicates a stiff rock as high modulus reflects resistance to deformation.
