UIS Commission on Karst Hydrogeology and Speleogenesis
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Karstbase Bibliography Database

Featured article: karst/cave journals
Stevanoviä‡, Zoran; Milanoviä‡, Petar
Engineering challenges in karst
Acta carsologica
2015
44
3
381
399

Anisotropy and heterogeneity of karstified rocks make them the most problematic media for various interventions which are needed in engineering practice. The long history of attempts to adapt karstic nature to human needs started with the utilization of karstic aquifers: tapping large springs, transferring their waters to the long distances, improving minimal flows or capturing fresh water in coastal areas. During the 20th century the number of other challenges such as building dam and reservoirs, and constructing roads and railways, bridges, tunnels, new settlements open a new era in engineering works but also in collecting new knowledge and experience for the karstology and hydrogeology sciences. Today, almost no engineering projects can be implemented without a proper environmental impact assessment, which establishes a better balance between human and ecological needs. 

karst; aquifer; engineering; environment; impact
0583-6050
http://dx.doi.org/10.3986/ac.v44i3.2963
Stevanoviä‡, Zoran; Milanoviä‡, Petar, 2015, Engineering challenges in karst , Acta carsologica , 44 , 381 - 399 http://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/superhome/current/showToc, PDF