Study of coastal soil surfaces of Sakhalin island

To conduct hydrodynamic measurements with using unmanned ground vehicles it is necessary to know motion conditions. Investigation of soil surfaces of coastal zones of Sakhalin Island was conducted. Typical conditions of motion were analyzed. Experimental research of beaches with sandy and sandy-gravel support bases were conducted, new data of the physico-mechanical and geometric properties were obtained. The analysis of physical and mechanical properties made it possible to distinguish three characteristic conditions of motion such as: movement in a small area with constant characteristics; movement on extended sections with different characteristics; movement in areas with highly variable characteristics due to sharp soil moisture increasing (from coast to water or back). Three zones for the description of the profile of support bases were identified, such as: The underwater part of the coast; transverse slopes of the coast; profile along the coastline. Analysis of geometric characteristics showed that the following types of surfaces of the underwater part of the coast can be distinguished: gently sloping bottom with a smoothly varying bottom angle; basically the horizontal section of the bottom, slightly falling with numerous sharp protrusions, that ends in a sharp precipice; various parts of the bottom with the presence of large discrete roughnesses (stones, boulders, etc.). The obtained new data allow modelling soil surfaces and relief of the coastal zones. It promotes the development of methods for predicting the mobility of special research chassis for coastal monitoring.