This manual presents a procedure for describing rock core samples, obtained for the New York State Department of Transportation, by State work forces and/or private drilling companies, for foundation, rockslope, and other engineering purposes. The evaluation is intended to provide a comprehensive word description of the core samples to those involved in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance processes.

The procedure involves visual and manual examination of core samples with respect to rock type, color, composition, bedding, structure, hardness and degree of weathering. This information will be used to generate an official Rock Core Log, for each evaluated boring, which will be made available to interested parties, including designers and prospective bidders. NYSDOT obtains large quantities of rock core samples but only those samples necessary to advance the required geologic designs are evaluated and the corresponding Rock Core Logs developed.