Buildings and constructions safety operation on karstic territories of the Samara city

Abstract

During the last 20-25 years the geological structure of the city has considerably changed due to different anthropogenic and technological factors. The geotechnical situation of the Samara city needs to be specified. In the first place, it is about karstic territories that are under active man-induced impact. Water utilities leakage, snow melting and rainfalls cause carbonates soakage which results in carbonates damage and karst appearance accompanied by cavities in the earth shell of different size and shape. Karst changes the current eco and geological system – the natural landscape. These deformations are highly disadvantageous for buildings and constructions on karstic territories, as they can lead to serious circumstances - partial or full building failures. Besides, karst and suffosion have recently become more frequent, which directly endanger human safety and even life. This paper presents results of the analysis of karst and suffosion development on the territory of Samara. It observes geotechnical problems of using karstic grounds as structure bases, gives reasons for necessary geotechnical monitoring at the stage of examination, as well as reasons for implementation of anti-karstic engineering and technical measures during building erection and operation.