Soil and Rock Description in Engineering Practice

In ground investigation, the description of soils and rocks in engineering practice forms a major input to the field log. The log records the materials and strata seen in any sample, core or exposure and is a basic element of the factual information that underpins the entire understanding and interpretation of the ground conditions on site. The field log is also all that remains after the investigation is over and so has a life well beyond that of the investigation report. Practical guidance is provided for those in the field carrying out engineering geological logging of soil and rock samples and exposures. Information on the current systematic and codified approach and its use are laid out in detail to ensure the defined descriptors are used in a consistent format, rendering mistakes less likely and the necessary communication from field to design more successful. The procedures, techniques and tips within this book are not only for young practitioners learning their craft, but are also relevant for their seniors and mentors, including responsible experts who sign off the logs and report on behalf of their company. Although they may have been involved in logging for many years they need to be aware of current practices in order to avoid costly mistakes. Soil and Rock Description in Engineering Practice enables the practitioner to record and present features of the ground from the exposure in such a way as to convey a field presence to subsequent users of the data. This is important as the samples deteriorate quickly and are not usually inspected by any party other than the logger. Field logs therefore provide the only record of the ground that is available to the designer and contractor later in the construction process.

ISBN 1904445659   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9781904445654 (What's this?)   Pages 304 Publisher Whittles Publishing   Published in Caithness Imprint Whittles Publishing   Height (mm) 240 Format Hardback   Width (mm) 170 Publication date 30 May 2010   Academic level Professional / Scholarly, Technical/vocational DEWEY 624.1513

Preface; Definitions; Introduction; History of description in codification; Systematic description; The description of materials; Relative density and strength; Structure, fabric and texture; Colour; Secondary and tertiary fractions; Geological formation; Weathering; Discontinuity logging; Fracture state recording; Low density soils; Made ground; Classification schemes; The description process - boreholes; The description process - field exposures; Appendix; References; Bibliography; Index

'...it makes for essential reading in our own domain... This book comes from a thoroughbred stable. David Norbury is uniquely placed to write such a book... Soil and rock description is the core of the engineering geologist's professional specialism and this book will help both the practitioner and their colleagues and clients benefit from objective and consistent descriptions. ...is essential reading for anyone involved in the technical aspects of site characterisation - whether for risk assessment or remediation.' JISCMAIL forum

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