Causes of destruction of gabion retaining walls on coastal areas

Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Yaroslavskoye Shosse 26, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: romazhurawlyow@yandex.ru

Abstract

The article deals with the design and scheme of gabions destruction in coastal areas under the action of frontal sea waves in the city of Sochi and on the Curonian Spit. The durability of gabions varies depending on the mesh materials, and the place of application. In case of gabion coastal retaining walls, the construction is made of metal and anticorrosive coated wire with an additional polymer coating, their durability is claimed to be several dozens of years but observations show that the structure may be destroyed much earlier. The actual scheme of destruction of these structures differs from those given in the regulatory documents. In spite of their possible destruction gabions prevent the development of landslide and suffusion processes along the coastline during their short lifetime. The article deals with the problems of gabion retaining walls failure under the influence of frontal sea waves which are not stipulated in the normative documents.