Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Impact of geological processes on functioning of infrastructure

2016. №3, pp. 49-60

Ushivtseva L.F. - C.Sc. in Geology and Mineralogy, Associate Professor, Astrakhan State University, 1 Shaumyan sq., Astrakhan, 414000, Russian Federation, ushivceval@mail.ru

Solovyova A.V. - Chief Engineer, Astrakhan Trust Geotechnical Surveys, 14 Shiryaev st., Astrakhan, 414000, Russian Fedeation, trestatizis@mail.ru

Yermolina A.V. - post-graduate student, Astrakhan State University, 1 Shaumyan sq., Astrakhan, 414000, Russian Federation, aleksandra_sh@list.ru

Currently large-scale projects of oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea, held an inter-settlement gas supply, the construction of various infrastructure facilities in difficult conditions where there are exogenous natural geological processes that negatively affect on the communications and utilities lines, buildings, development of mineral resources, transportation of raw materials. Underestimation of the geological processes can lead to serious environmental consequences. Most of the settlements focused on indigenous bank of the Volga-Akhtuba valley and in the delta, so that they feel the direct impact of exogenous geological processes (EGP) as lateral erosion, karst, landslides, gullying, occurring along rivers, on the slopes of the valley violating the stability of buildings and impeding normal life. The factors contributing to these processes are: geological activity of surface and groundwater (karst), the atmosphere, engineering activity, geological structure, climate, topography and others. River erosion - a constant process, the intensity of which depends on the strength of the surrounding rocks, the intensity of the river flow, hydrological seasons. Wash away intensely steep, high coasts are frequently subject to destruction caused by collapse of overhanging cornices and steep cliffs of rocks. In either case, they are accompanied by intense flushing, gullying and landslides. The intensification of geological processes complicates the industrial, residential and transport construction is a danger to the functioning of buildings and engineering structures, roads, railways, transit oil and gas pipelines, and others. For safe operation of the above infrastructure requires long-term monitoring of exogenous geological processes and the development of protective measures aimed at preventing and reducing their activity.

Key words: экзогенез геологических процессов, речная и боковая эрозия, оползни, обвалы, обрушения, оврагообразование, карст, карстовые поля, активизация процессов, exogenous geological processes, river and lateral erosion, landslides, avalanches, caving, gullying, k

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