Foreign Experience Review on Engineering Protection of Seashores and Hillslopes

Abstract

Introduction. During design, construction and operation of buildings and structures in the coastal areas there arises a serious problem of engineering protection of coasts and hillslopes from the dangerous geological processes, which include the coastal erosion, underflooding of territories, hillslope erosion, gravitational (slope) processes, such as intensification of landslides, etc. These processes often result in significant economic damage usually related to the non-recoverable loss of valuable coastal territories, deformation of buildings and structures, damage and destruction of the objects of transport and engineering infrastructure. In this regard, the study of the advanced foreign experience in engineering protection of the coastal areas and the evaluation of the possibility of it to be implemented in Russia is a relevant scientific and engineering task.Materials and methods. To prepare the review, the following data was used: field observation data with photographic evidences of the objects of engineering protection of seashores and hillslopes obtained by the authors during a business trip to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in October–November 2023; study and analysis of literature sources in the subject area, including the methods and technologies implemented in the Netherlands, Japan, the USA, Great Britain, Italy; summary and systematisation of the coastal protection methods for further development of their classification and evaluation of the possibility of implementing thereof in the Russian Federation.Research results. The main principles of design, the advanced methods and technologies of coastal protection used in China have been defined. They include: construction of the multi-level protective structures, such as the multiple-row breakwaters of special shape in combination with the stepped retaining walls, the vertical walls consisting of the driven piles, anchoring and spray-concrete covering of the slopes in combination with the metal meshes; terracing in combination with the retaining reinforced concrete (horizontal and vertical) crossbeams; the sloping wave-absorbing reinforced concrete surfaces;  the meshy structures and fences combating the Aeolian processes, etc.The main methods used in the Netherlands, Japan, the USA and Italy for comprehensive protection of the large territories have been defined. Such as: the network of dams, weirs, wave breakers, coast paving, regulation of the flows by water locks and barriers, creation of the artificial protective islands; artificial replenishment with sand; creation of the green spaces along the coast; forming the dunes — natural or artificial hills of sand or pebbles located along the coast; creation of the concrete structures, stone jetties, floating constructions and even artificial reefs.The importance of management was emphasised, including the early warning systems for storms and tsunamis, weather and marine condition monitoring systems, as well as dissemination of the warning messages and evacuation plans among the population in the areas of potential threat.Discussion and conclusion. Based on the results of the review, the main conclusions were formulated. The recommendations were given on the possible ways of improving the coastal protection of the Caucasian Black Sea Coast and other coastal areas of the Russian Federation based on the advanced foreign experience.