A Comparison and Review of the Field Logging Standards and Guidelines in Australia and New Zealand

With the increased need for a flexible work force, labour mobility between regions and countries has become a necessary and normal practice for many geotechnical professionals. Engineers and geologists are required to work to country specific standards for the logging of soil and rock cores. The Australian Standard, AS1726-1993 aims to standardise logging procedures in Australia, and like many other countries, New Zealand has their own guidelines for logging, which differs from AS1726-1993. The purpose of this paper is to outline the similarities and differences between the Australian Standard AS1726-1993 and the New Zealand Logging Guideline, “Field Description of Soil and Rock, New Zealand Geotechnical Society, 2005”. These comparisons are discussed both from a review of the standard and guideline, and further based on the author’s experience of geotechnical field investigations in both Australia and New Zealand. The need for these variations is explained and any potential impact of these differences on the overall geotechnical interpretation and subsequent design is evaluated. Some advice is given to help practitioners easily adapt their logging style between the two countries.