Abstract: Coral reefs are a special geological structure developed in the tropical marine environment. The structure consists of coral reef and other marine organism fragments. This review is focused on the significance of studying coral reef engineering, composition of coral reefs, the physico-mechanical properties of calcareous sands, pile foundation engineering in coral reefs, and coral concrete. Particle crushing is the most important property of calcareous sands and affects other mechanical properties directly; and in turn, it is mainly affected by confining pressure, effective stress, grain composition, initial void ratio, particle strength and particle shape. Pile foundation bearing capacity in calcareous sands is lower than that in common silica sands due to particle crushing and disturbance of calcareous sand structure by the pile-forming process. In coral concrete engineering, concrete made with sulfate-resistant cement has good strength and durability. Future research should be focused on the mechanisms and modeling of particle crushing, new types of coral reinforced concrete and pile foundation, disaster prevention and management and later maintenance of coral reef projects.

Key words: coral reef, calcareous sand, mechanics, pile foundation engineering, coral concrete, calcareous rock