Earthworks (PDF)

Burt G. Look has 40 years professional engineering experience with his early years in structural and civil works before specialising in geotechnics. He obtained his postgraduate degree from Imperial College, London in soil mechanics and engineering seismology. His PhD was obtained from The University of Queensland through part time studies, while working at Queensland Main Roads.

He has been a consulting geotechnical engineer for most of his career, and most recently a senior principal and director at FSG - Geotechnics and Foundations. He was previously the Global Geotechnical Practice Leader in SKM (now Jacobs), and the Global Geotechnical Group leader at Aurecon. Burt is the 2014 Queensland Professional Engineer of the year and the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Practitioner 2018 - a biennial award. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020.

He is widely recognised in the areas of earthworks, expansive clays, landslides, risk assessment and site characterisation. He has been a technical advisor and expert witness in these areas. Burt developed and presented "Earthworks"- a course for practicing engineers, and over 1,000 professionals attended to date. Burt has published three geotechnical engineering books and over 90 technical publications focused on industry practice developments within Australia.