ANTIKARST AND ANTISUFFOSION PROTECTION IN RUSSIA: HISTORY AND PRESENT SITUATION

Subject: karst and suffosion are related to exogenous geological processes, the development of which is caused by destruction of rocks by groundwater. These are the processes dangerous for construction, and the main problem in studying these processes lies in their inaccessibility for direct visual observation. Research objectives: achievement of mutual understanding between prospectors and designers when solving the problems arising from construction-related development of territories where a negative impact of karst and (or) suffosion on buildings and structures is expected. Materials and methods: the method of historical analysis of efficiency of engineering solutions. Results: Russia has a long and rich experience in the application of antikarst and antisuffosion protective measures, which is analyzed in the present article from historical positions. In the author’s opinion, successful implementation of these measures is possible only with the close cooperation of prospectors-geologists and geotechnical designers. Systematized representation of the evolution of methods and techniques that ensure accident-free operation of objects of various types of construction in the presence of karst and (or) suffosion hazard is given. Conclusions: currently, our country has a rich and well-proven arsenal of means of protecting buildings and structures from karst and suffosion, including constructive, geotechnical and other measures.