The low rainfall conditions are essentially due to zonal tropical climates (e.g Sahara) or to orografic effects of mountain ranges (e.g Gobi Desert).
The design of infrastructures in this kind of desert involve specific studies and techniques. Here's some examples of interests and issues of studying the engineering geology :
1) Develop construction techniques that ensure the safety and the durabilitity of structures
3) Delivering water
2) Combatting desertification and the problem of major dunes
3) Prevent the problems dealing with : -Duricrust
-Metastable soils
-Karst
-Metastable soils
-Salinty....
Wind erosion and near-surface transport :
The bare ground plays a key role in terms of erosion and sediments transport.
It should be noted that the transport phenomena are analogous to the ones we observe inside rivers (exepting with the solution transportation).
However, the differences in density beween the two fluids (air and water) greatly impact the lifting capacity and despite high speeds, only small particles are transported (a few millimeters).
The impact of wind erosion can be observe through the shape of some typical rocks :
Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria
Barchan Dunes :
Rocky deserts :
to be continued...
