This is a revised and updated edition of the highly successful first and second editions. In the intervening period the procedures used in the description of soils and rocks have continued to develop and evolve and this new edition incorporates changes in the international standards EN ISO 14688 and 14689 and those resulting in the national standard, BS 5930:2015 and the 2020 amendment thereof. Close comparison is also made with US practice in description (ASTM D2488) and classification (ASTM D2487).

Significant changes in rock description are included – the reintroduction of the Approaches 1 to 5 for rock weathering; Approach 1 for description and Approaches 2 to 5 (Rock Weathering Working Party) for classification when appropriate and helpful. Also covered is the reintroduction of the 12.5 MPa boundary and the term moderately weak in rock strength description: a significant boundary in design in rock.

The book continues to provide invaluable practical guidance in carrying out engineering geological logging of soil and rock samples and exposures in the field. The systematic and codified approach is 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 continue to serve and guide young practitioners learning their craft, but also their seniors and mentors, including responsible experts who sign off the logs and report on behalf of their company. More than ever, the need to be aware of current practices in order in order to avoid costly mistakes is paramount.

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

Will continue to be of immense value to geologists, engineering geologists, geotechnical/ground engineers or anyone involved with ground investigations, from commissioning to interpretation.

Reviews of the 1st and 2nd edition
‘Early 2016 has seen the release of the Second Edition of Professor David Norbury’s highly acclaimed description handbook... The new handbook eagerly awaited by many within the industry, incorporates the implications of changes in the national and international standards for logging soils and rock’. Geotechnica

'...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

‘...It is crammed full of tables, figures, photographs, all in an authoritative text. ...The pictures (worth a thousand words!) are invariably clear and helpful...  Who to recommend the book to? Well, just about everybody who in any way is active in site investigation or on courses on the subject, from beginners to well-established practitioners, not only in the UK but more or less worldwide. The book is authoritative; it is a reference book ... an endless source of information...' Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment

 ‘...This is a very thorough book and is well presented and printed, with clear tables, helpful thumbnail photographs and figures and text boxes containing tips and example descriptions.  ... The book covers all the new requirements linked to Eurocode 7.  ... Buy this book’. Geoscientist

‘...this practical guide should fill gaps in the level of knowledge of soil and rock description. Throughout this book the process of recording of exposures is given in detail’. Land Degradation and Development

‘... provides numerous references throughout the book, and the text greatly benefits from Norbury’s copious use of visual aids. ... Practising geotechnical engineers, hydrogeologists, and engineering geologists alike would greatly benefit from having this reference book. ... Norbury’s exhaustive and methodical treatment of the systematic approach to field description of geomaterials makes this reference book valuable. This level of treatment is long overdue...’ Environmental and Engineering Geoscience

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