This practical handbook of properties for soils and rock contains in a concise tabular format the key issues relevant to geotechnical investigations, assessments and designs in common practice. There are brief notes on the application of the tables. These data tables are compiled for experienced geotechnical professionals who require a reference document to access key information. There is an extensive database of correlations for different applications. The book should provide a useful bridge between soil and rock mechanics theory and its application to practical engineering solutions.

The initial chapters deal with the planning of the geotechnical investigation and the classification of the soil and rock properties, after which some of the more used testing is covered. Later chapters show the reliability and correlations that are used to convert that data in the interpretative and assessment phase of the project. The final chapters apply some of these concepts to geotechnical design. The emphasis throughout is on application to practice.

This book is intended primarily for practicing geotechnical engineers working in investigation, assessment and design, but should provide a useful supplement for postgraduate courses. It evolved from the need to have a go to reference book which has both breadth and depth of information to apply immediately to projects. To keep to a handbook size one has to compress/restrict details to a few key bullet points - but a comprehensive reference list provides the appendix for additional information if required. This 2nd edition keeps to that format but contains updated information and adjustments that take into account feedback received since initial publication.

Burt Look is a practicing consulting geotechnical engineer. He obtained his first degree in Civil Engineering and his Master's degree in Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London. He completed his PhD at The University of Queensland.and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Australia.
He is currently a Geotechnical Practice Leader at Sinclair Knight Merz. He was formerly a Principal and the Geotechnical Knowledge and Service Delivery Leader at Connell Wagner (now Aurecon).
His key role is in the planning and assessment of geotechnical investigations and its implementation into the design. He lectures short courses in industry for Education Engineers Australia to practicing professionals. His research is focused on applications in industry practice and he supervises theses at both The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, Australia.