bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rectification of walls of the historical brick barrack on the site of the former German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp KL Auschwitz - Birkenau
Authors: Gromysz Krzysztof , Szoblik Lukasz , Cyrulik Ewa , Tanistra-Rozanowska Agnieszka , Drabczyk Zofia , Jancia Szymon
Published: September 2019

The construction of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz II - Birkenau started at the end of 1941. A barrack with the current inventory no. B-123, situated at the section BI, was then erected. The barrack has a documentary and historical value. The barrack walls are characterised by the low stiffness, because with the building’s plan of 36.17 m × 11.39 m, the walls are only 0.12 m thick. All the outer walls have been substantially deformed or vertically deflected. Up to 100 mm wide gaps have formed between the deformed and deflected external walls and contiguous walls as a result. The stability of the walls was at risk, because a bad-quality wall was loaded with horizontal and vertical forces transmitted from the roof on the eccentricity reaching 100 mm. Deformations were progressing over time as a consequence of such forces. Individual rectification procedures were designed and implemented for each wall as part of the comprehensive conservatory and building works, the purpose of which was to ensure the stability. This article presents a procedure of rectification the eastern gable wall and the outer, longitudinal northern wall. The deformation of the eastern gable wall was removed by changing its static scheme, by inserting hinge regions into the wall along the line of selected bed joints. Separate wall patches, which could rotate relative to each other, were created as a result of the forces acting perpendicular to the wall surface. By causing the mutual rotation of such patches, the eastern gable wall reached the desired vertical position. The vertically deflected, longitudinal outer northern wall was rectified by rotating the wall in relation to the wall support edge on the foundations. An analogous procedure was applied to the outer longitudinal southern wall. After the completed rectification, the walls were anchored to the contiguous walls; the places of rotation and anchoring were filled with mortar. A different procedure was adopted for the other deflected walls. The advancing deformations of the western gable wall were stopped by stabilising its position with the steel elements connected with ties anchored in the ground. It was inadmissible to rectify this wall because it is covered with plaster and paint coats with a high historical value.
Flexible Tools with Diamond Blades for Polishing Granite Surfaces
Authors: Rajczyk Marlena , Rajczyk Pawel , Bednarczyk Karolina
Published: September 2019

Polishing is an operation of treating the surface of the stone that gives it final useful features, giving the surface shine, which in the final stage of stone surface treatment give it important usable features, which include: aesthetics, i.e. surface property of the stone, characterized by the glassiness of the surface in some case has a mirror effect, which is characterized by a high degree of reflection of light, allowing it to observe the structure of the stone well in the aspect of its decorative elements placed on its surface. The physical features of polished surfaces are, above all, a shorter time to maintain moisture on its surface, which is the basic factor of material destruction. The quality of the polished surface of natural stone determines the degree of its longevity, this principle is particularly important for polished marble and concrete surfaces. An important value of the quality of polished products is the assessment of this parameter in a commercial assessment. The property of achieving a high degree of polishing can only be achieved with the help of highly effective diamond tools for polishing operations, where the quality of their work is evaluated by instrumental methods using tools measuring the amount of reflected light from the polished surface (gloss meter). Flexible diamond tools for dry and wet polishing operations are a set of 8 discs with a diameter of 100 mm mounted on a fast link formed in the friction surface on a synthetic binder of diamond abrasive with a grain size of 50 ÷ 3000 #. In order to increase the efficiency of surface treatment technology in polishing operations, it is necessary for granite processing for a given polishing operation with grain size 800 #, to select the appropriate hardness resulting from the synthetic binder formulation.
Pedestrian Road Accident Index for Municipalities: The Portuguese Case
Authors: Santos Bertha , Carvalheira Carmen
Published: September 2019

Portuguese road traffic accidents statistics show that the number of accidents with fatalities and serious injuries has in general decreased in recent years. However, the number of accidents involving pedestrians is still high when compared with those observed in other countries of the European Union. In order to assess this problem, an index of pedestrian road traffic accidents for municipalities that could be used in decision-making about pedestrian safety measures is proposed. The use of absolute values of accidents involving pedestrians (running over) does not allow itself a reliable comparison of pedestrian safety level between municipalities. In this sense, the approach proposed uses the information available in the Portuguese database PORDATA to calculate a municipal index that takes into account the degree of exposure of pedestrians to accident, based on national and municipal resident population annual growth rates and number of pedestrian’s casualties. This index allows to identify the municipalities with unfavourable deviation to national numbers of road accidents involving pedestrians (per 10000 inhabitants), supporting the plan and allocation of human and economic resources for the diagnosis, definition and implementation of safety measures. The results obtained can be visualized in a GIS for a more comprehensive comparison between municipalities. The analyses performed for Portugal showed that, in general, municipalities with higher resident population annual growth rates, located mostly along the coastline and in more consolidated urban areas, tend to present better index values, which points to the need to intervene in less consolidated areas.
Multiplication Analysis of the Cause, Form and Extent of Damage to Buildings in Areas with Mining Impact
Authors: Gwozdz-Lason Monika
Published: September 2019

This publication is a summary of all tasks carried out in recent years of research, calculations, simulations and analyse related to the performed research on parameter analysis that affect the form, scope and cost of removing damage in buildings and structures in areas with mining impact. The analysed problem is interdisciplinary and contains legal, geotechnical, engineering - mining, construction, material and economic analysis. The ground reaction forces were analysed for buildings and structures in the mining area. Coordinating activities of the land model, foundations and construction of buildings and structures in the mining area were adopted and the distribution rights and changes in additional reaction forces of the structure in the mining area were analysed and various factors which affect the construction damage were indicated. Problems were also identified in the mining impact forecasts that affect the design scope of new engineering structures and the impact of existing buildings and structures. The influence of various factors was analysed and additional dependency formulas were proposed, which are needed for current calculations and analyses of the scope and costs of strengthening the structure or its modernization. Based on the output data and the analysis of the results of the empirical examination of selected buildings, the determination of all factors affecting the technical condition of the building erected in the areas with the impact of mining operations. Classification according to currently used guidelines and clarification of new attributes affecting the technical condition of buildings and structures (typical and modern geometry of the building’s structure, type of foundation, type of construction protection, type and stiffness of the structure). Backward analysis of damages (their temporary changes) identified as factor affecting the current state of engineering objects.
Influence of Different Types of Trains on Human in The Buildings
Authors: Pachla Filip , Kowalska-Koczwara Alicja
Published: September 2019

The impact of vibrations on railway lines for people in buildings can cause discomfort. The problem has recently become particularly important due to the increase in the number of objects built within the range of vibrations from the railway line. The article presents selected results of measurements of vibrations from the railway line to a single-family brick building and people staying in them. The presented methodology and test results may be useful in the future in the modernization of railway lines or the development of areas near railway lines.
Archetype of Alleys in the Cities - A Retrospective Approach
Authors: Blazy Rafal
Published: September 2019

Alleys are very important elements in the city. Their role is not only architectural, but also cultural and social. When we design characteristic points on a city map, they are very often significant spaces in the wider area, as well as a place that is generally known, recognizable and allowing to determine a location or a reference point. According to the contemporary urban definitions, the alleys are walking, cycling or driving routes. The alley also includes the waterway route, planted on both sides with trees or shrubs with a specific composition that is keeping the rhythm of planting and landscaping connections. In the article, the author included historical and cultural changes that take place in contemporary times. The alleys create permanent - stable forms in the landscape. On the other hand, due to the excessive car traffic and related environmental pollution, the alleys lose their recreational significance. The role of the alleys in the city is changing. Usually, it was a system which was always associated with fashion and prestige. The author in conclusion showed that the main values of the alleys should be cultivated; nowadays, their most important feature from the archetypical point of view should be the recreation and economic opportunities. The article shows that today’s alleys should have less transport importance. This is because the car traffic is no longer synonymous with the progress of civilization and technical achievements.
Revitalization of Riverside Boulevards in Poland – A Case Study on the Background of the European Implementation
Authors: Blazy Rafal
Published: September 2019

River banks have recently experienced a real renaissance, this form of development of the city areas located directly near the river is often treated as one of the most representative areas in the city. More and more cities are opting for the revitalization of heavily degraded areas bordering the river. Rivers, which in the past were “unfriendly” to man for most of the XX century, through the close proximity to industrial and transport functions, have become currently an attraction in the scale of the whole city and even in the wider region very often. The author presents examples of revitalized boulevards in Poland, ie.: Vistula Boulevards in Warsaw, River banks in Bydgoszcz, Biała River bank in Bialystok. The aim of the study was to compare selected types of the revitalization of these areas in Poland with selected foreign examples. In the conclusions, the author showed the factors determining their current function and character depending on their historical significance, location and function, and especially the current location in the functional and spatial structure. To a larger extent, the current function of these public spaces is determined by the size of the city and their location in relation to the centre. Distance from other open public spaces, especially green areas, is also significant. The most frequent activity in these spaces is the improvement of their pedestrian and bicycle accessibility through the construction of paths, ramps, slipways and footbridges. The second basic action is the change of the status of these areas and the attempt to include them in the park area system, giving the status of recreation and leisure places for residents and tourists. Foreign examples: The Nervión River in Bilbao, The Rio Madrid Avenue in Madrid and the Rheinauhafen Boulevard in Cologne show a fairly diverse approach to this issue while expanding the scope of possible actions.
The Development of Data-Collection Methods for Thermal Comfort Assessment in Tropical Countries
Authors: Rodriguez Carolina M , Medina Juan M , Camila Coronado Maria , D´Alessandro Marta
Published: September 2019

Thermal comfort in the built environment is one of the most defining parameters influencing energy use, environmental quality, and occupant satisfaction; therefore, it is currently receiving a great deal of academic attention. Unfortunately, there is still a pronounced lack of research in this area within developing countries in tropical regions, which are becoming increasingly urbanised and where mechanical air conditioning demands are rising dramatically. Many of these countries are adopting thermal comfort standards such as the ASHRAE Standard 55, the EN 15251, and the ISO 7730 to regulate the use of air-conditioning; even when these standards have been widely criticised for their inadequacy to suit other geographical regions and contexts, different to the ones that they were designed for. There is growing evidence to suggest the need to confirm these models through further post-occupancy studies and fieldwork in real buildings. Deficiencies in data collection and methodologies are thought to require particular attention, in order to develop algorithms that can predict thermal comfort levels with more accuracy. More comprehensive strategies considering relevant interrelated psychological, physiological and social factors are needed. This manuscript highlights gaps of research regarding thermal comfort in the built environment, through the analysis of Colombia as a case study. It is stressed here that new academic advancements in this area have had little effect on related policy. The work emphasises the importance of standardised fieldwork data and gives examples of alternative data collection and methodology systems. This aims to contribute to the current efforts of improving the understanding of occupant´s adaptive behaviours and their potential impact on the mitigation of climate change.
Location of University Buildings in the Space of Medium European Cities and Szczecin
Authors: Zych Magdalena , Woloszyn Marek
Published: September 2019

Higher education in many cities is the dominant function. Universities are often characteristic city elements with a specific layout, climate and tradition. The purpose of the article is to identify and discuss how to locate the academic buildings in a city space. The analyzed objects are European medium-sized cities with academic traditions, in which there are min. two universities. What are the types of locations of academic buildings and what does it mean?
The impact of the Architecture on the Climate Change in Anthropocene
Authors: Gradzinski Piotr
Published: September 2019

The author focused on the philosophical and technical-analytical issues in the influence of architecture in the Anthropocene era. The text introduces to the issues of the impact on the natural environment through the activity of construction and architecture in the Anthropocene era. The first part introduces the philosophical character of the discussion on the nomenclature and the scope of the ecological character. The author indicates in the second part to the extent of the environmental impact of the tested object. The example of the analyzed architecture shows that the nature of the impact on the natural environment and climate change has been approximated. Concluded the paper refer directly to the architectural-environmental issues, orienting to the regenerative design process of architecture in respect of widely comprehended climatic changes in philosophical and theoretical dimension.
Establishing the project portfolio management in the construction company
Authors: Bizon-Gorecka Jadwiga , Gorecki Jaroslaw
Published: September 2019

The principal production activity of construction companies is centralised on the investment and construction projects executed on various construction sites. In the pursuit of using the potential accumulated in the means of production, construction companies start to manage a number of projects implemented concurrently. Therefore, a project portfolio is a key challenge for the strategic management of modern construction companies. There is a way to deal with the multi-project phenomenon called the project portfolio management. At this level, specific features of construction production have to be taken into account. An efficient selection of the project portfolio, treated as the project portfolio management maturity, allows reducing the risk associated with investing in projects, by creating a combination of expenses on a number of projects. The strategies accepted by an organisation determine the project portfolio to the implementation according to some specific requirements (scope, deadlines, cost, quality). Disruptions of meeting these requirements generate the risk associated with concrete projects, and the configuration of the project portfolio, i.e. a number of projects implemented parallelly, their distribution in time and space, produces the risk connected with resources vital to the project execution. Results of a survey conducted among 100 Polish construction entrepreneurs, regarding the problems of establishing the project portfolio management, were presented. Majority of respondents indicated a profit margin as the most important factor in the selection of the project. A number of projects executed in one year, in individual groups of the surveyed enterprises, varies. Large companies usually execute up to 5 projects at the same time. In turn, small and micro-sized enterprises are mostly involved in 6-20 projects in one year. The research revealed that the most frequently indicated criterion for selecting the project portfolio in the construction industry is the availability of workforce. Subsequently, the availability of materials and equipment were indicated in the second and third place. All factors of production, i.e. human resources, materials, equipment as well as financial resources, become sources of the risk in projects, as it comes to a chance to obtain or substitute them. The summary includes a conclusion of the considerations, containing a specification of criteria for selecting the project portfolio in a construction company.
Modelling Freight Transportation Impacts of the Gulf Cooperation Council Region using GIS
Authors: Tayyeb Hasan , Kassim Ali , Al-Falahi Mubarak
Published: September 2019

Freight transportation is a key element in economic growth and the development of countries. Linking freight lines between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (specifically Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman) will increase revenues, improve infrastructure asset efficiency and generate employment. Shipping and transport industries endure continuous changes and transformations in response to technological developments and changes in world trade. Significant amounts of documentation, research papers as well as technical and economic reports are available in literature that details ways in which these industries respond to and meet the needs of shippers and consumers. Information and data are valuable assets in providing a basic understanding and base knowledge of the different types and methods of shipping options, as well as the impacts of different transportation modes. In this paper, possible environmental impacts will be discussed, including air quality, noise levels and vibration. In addition, safety factors such as fatalities and accidents will be incorporated into discussions on mode selection. A GIS model was implemented and a case study was created to assess these impacts, estimate damage costs as well as discuss concerns with logistics and mode selection. Finally, possible mitigation measures to manage environmental and safety concerns will be proposed. Based on the analysis and results, more work on environmentally sustainable models and designs need to be implemented to mitigate impacts and to ensure that the environment and quality of life can be preserved. Incentivizing shifts from truck to rail or to intermodal systems is key for shippers’ participation in reducing environmental and societal impacts. Encouraging shippers to change their mode selection can relieve congestion and lower accident rates.
Analyze of the Runoff in Gilort Watershed
Authors: Mihaela Pisleaga , Codruta Badaluta–Minda , Gabriel Eles
Published: September 2019

In recent years, the climate changes have determined the increase of the frequency flooding, and concurrently, the negative effects of these weather phenomena were amplified by other factors (the deforestation, needs of the hydrotechnical works, etc.). Floods represent a natural phenomenon that cannot be prevented. However, human activities contribute to the probability and the magnitude of the negative impact of floods. In the first part of the paper the catchment Gilort is characterized, from the point of view of the hydro morphological and morphometric. Further, the paper presents the hydrologic analysis of atmospheric precipitation and liquid runoff in the catchment for 2007. Finally, the paper presents the conclusions and some considerations on the water resources management from the catchment Gilort.
Variations of Ground Temperature in Shallow Depths in the Silesian Region
Authors: Pokorska-Silva Iwona , Kadela Marta , Fedorowicz Lidia
Published: September 2019

Knowledge of temperature distribution in relation to time and depth is necessary in many applications. These include: designing GSHP (ground source heat pump) and EAHE (earth-air heat exchangers) systems, calculating heat loss in buildings, in determining foundation depth for buildings and structures with consideration of frost penetration depth, designing pavement of roads and airports or designing underground systems of energy transmission. Regular measurements and perfecting models describing temperature in the ground is therefore extremely valuable. This article presents authors’ own research on ground temperature changes in time and distribution of temperature at different depths, up to c. 2.0 m beneath ground level. The tests were performed in the Silesia region over a period of 6 months between May and October, using thermistors installed in the ground at various depths. The measurements were compared with temperature of the air, measured at test stations using a meteorological multisensor in order to find a correlation. Aside from readings of temperature over time and profiles of ground temperatures the paper contains selected elements of statistical analysis of the measurements. It was noted that the temperature distribution is closely related to depth below ground level, and the influence of outside temperatures decreases with depth.
Achievement of Thermal Comfort in the Building Through Interaction with External Factors
Authors: Zecevic Nurin , Dzaferovic Ejub , Husika Azrudin , Salihbegovic Amira
Published: September 2019

Building envelope has significant role in the building sector. It represents immediate interaction between outside and inside environment. In dependence of its characteristics and opposed requirements, it affects on achievement of the thermal comfort of inside area and closer environment. Existing standards in the building sector dictate air tightness of an envelope, limiting air infiltration with the aim to save energy, but also influence on the inside environmental quality in situation when optimal air quality cannot be achieved due to the insufficient ventilation of the room. Besides that, building envelope in dependence of its characteristics, under the influence of Sun light, can less or better absorb heat flux and cause the temperature rise on the surface of the building. Specific characteristic of material to absorb and retain solar thermal heat, in urban environments, contributes more and more to the presence of the phenomenon known as urban heat island. For interaction of the building envelope with the environment factors, the building of Mechanical Engineering Faculty was chosen as a case study, on which the measurement of the envelope surface temperature was performed with the aim to empirically confirm presence of higher temperatures on building envelope. At the same time, the measurement of indoor air quality parameters, as carbon dioxide concentration, inside air temperature and relative humidity was performed, to estimate ventilation efficiency of inside area. Results of the measurement have shown the presence of relatively high surface temperature on the building envelope, which is the in accordance with the earlier research about the existence of higher surface temperatures in dependence of its characteristics and environment. Measurement of indoor air quality parameters showed higher carbon dioxide concentrations, especially in winter semester, which values exceeded by 60 % of recommended ones. Higher carbon dioxide concentrations are result of insufficient ventilation of the room, and it is indicator that optimal cooling system with frequent ventilation is necessary criteria that needs to be fulfilled to achieve quality inside environment from the aspect of the comfort, productivity and health of users. In the recent years, there has been noticed evident increase of the outside temperature, especially in urban area due to the construction and characteristics of applied materials in buildings, resulting also in the climate change. It is necessary to emphasize that planners and designers in the conceptual stage of construction or renovation of the buildings, incorporate solutions and decisions about the materialization of the envelope, which will affect on the reduction of urban heat island, considering as one of the energy efficiency measures.
Modelling of Capacity and Public Transport Modal Split for New City Centre in Bratislava
Authors: Schlosser Tibor , Schlosser Peter , Hodakova Dominika , Zuzulova Andrea , Capayova Silvia
Published: September 2019

The article describes the detailed traffic modelling in new city centre, which is actually widely discussed by public and experts. The core of the problem is lying on the municipality, which put on the table a final decision about the change the modal split for public transport development. The north part of new city centre, which is under construction the suburb bus station. The solutions of new tram routes are taken into account. Results of traffic studies show, that how could be this change re-define the current traffic behaviour and create for the new area new functional interest and certainly the new quality of relationships of the territory. The system solution is the new public transport service for this area with which will be created by a capacitive new tramway network. The transport model has the importance of these empirical experiences for practice and final decision making. The city of Bratislava had a very detailed and defined layout of the Master Transport Plan and is a big impact to change on the side of developers. The question is why they have not complied with it and the answer would be found, because exact scenarios can show the disproportion for each details of organization of traffic flows, public transport lines with results of measurable sustainable mobility together with accessibility.
Risk Management Prediction for Overcrowding in Railway Stations Utilising Adaptive Nero Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)
Authors: Alawad Hamad , Kaewunruen Sakdirat , Min An
Published: September 2019

In this research, an intelligent system for managing risks is developed with a framework to aid in managing the risks in the railway stations. A method to advance risk management in the railway stations is needed in order to minimize risk through an automated process taking into consideration all the factors in the system and how they work together to provide an acceptable level of safety and security. Thus, the Adaptive Nero Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) is proposed to improve risk management as an intelligently selected model which is powerful in dealing with uncertainties in risk variables. The methods of artificial neural network (ANN) and Fuzzy interface system (FIS) have been proven as tools for measuring risks in many fields. In this case study, the railway is selected as a place for managing the risks of overcrowding in the railway stations taking two parameters as input for risk value output using a hybrid model, which has the potency to deal with risk uncertainties and to learn by ANN training processes. The results show that the ANFIS method is more promising in the management of station risks. The framework can be applied for other risks in the station and more for a wide range of other systems. Also, ANFIS has the ability to learn from past risk records for future prediction. Clearly, the risk indexes are essential to reflect the actual condition of the station and they can indicate a high level of risks at the early stage, such as with overcrowding. The dynamic model of risk management can define risk levels and aid the decision makers by convenient and reliable results based on recorded data. Finally, the model can be generalised for other risks.
Key Success Factors for the Public Participation Effect of Old City Reconstruction Projects
Authors: Xiao Jingjing
Published: September 2019

Public participation has become more and more important in the urban redevelopment. However, the implementation effect of the public participation is less than satisfactory. This article aims to recognize and analyse the key factors for the effect of the public participation in urban redevelopment. Government administrators and the public in China were surveyed to gather data to test the index system for the factors identified by literature review and expert interviews in the effect of the public participation in urban redevelopment. The results show that the characteristics of developer have no significant effect on the effect of the public participation, which is different from the abroad situation. The characteristics of government have remarkable significant effect on the effect of the public participation, the characteristics of public come second, the external environment conditions come third.
Numerical Analysis of Settlement of a Structure Situated on a Heterogeneous Loess Subsoil
Authors: Krzysztof Nepelski
Published: September 2019

The paper presents FEM numerical analyses of interaction of structures situated on loess subsoil. Static CPT tests on loesses from Lublin, Poland, was used in the process of defining subsoil variability. The calculations assumed a variant of weak soil under individual foundation footing. It was shown that variable stiffness of loess subsoil causes heterogeneous settlements of the building, which leads to deformations and affects internal forces within the structure.
Evaluation of the Effects of Service Core Reduction on Tall Building Structures
Authors: Fakıoglu Beste , Ozer Ay Bekir
Published: September 2019

One of the primary goals in tall building design is the optimum design of service core where the vertical transportation, building services, HVAC elements etc. are situated. Particularly for supertall (+300) office buildings, a significant portion of the core space is occupied by elevators when compared to the rest of the service core elements. Actually, with the utilization of recently developed elevator technologies, it is possible to decrease the elevator footprint area and thereby to decrease the service core area. Nevertheless, the core of a tall building usually is also a part of the lateral load resisting system, namely as a structural core. This study aims to investigate the effects of service core reduction which is a consequence of the elevator footprint decrease on interior and exterior tall building structures. Generic computer models of outriggered frame and framed-tube buildings with 300m height (75 story) are produced. Then, the service core area of both buildings is decreased considering the effects of recent advances in elevator technology. First, the strength and the stiffness constraints as well as serviceability of primary and reduced core buildings are evaluated in terms of code-based design loads for each outriggered frame and framed-tube structural systems. Then, primary and reduced core buildings of outriggered frame and framed-tube structural systems are compared in terms of the change in top drift to building height ratio, the increase in leasable area and to access to natural light.
Large Scale Monitoring System for Existing Structures and Infrastructures
Authors: Bertagnoli Gabriele , Malavisi Marzia , Mancini Giuseppe
Published: September 2019

Most of the key structures of highways and railways systems in Europe and North America has been built after Second World War during the economic boom that took place between the 50s and the 70s of the last century. This heritage of existing infrastructures and building of the “Western World” is nowadays subject to a natural and gradual aging process, induced by the progressive deterioration and the age of the structures, which causes a consequent functional obsolescence. This process develops with continuity and therefore can be controlled over time and can become foreseeable in most cases. Adequate scheduled maintenance can then be applied to keep the safety levels and the performance of the structures aligned with standards requirements. The best way to control ageing and deterioration is the implementation and installation of diagnostic systems for the estimation of constructions safety levels and operating conditions. This monitoring systems are known and used since many decades, but have never been toughly applied as a standard in civil engineering works as it has happened for instance to the automotive field. Traditional monitoring systems of infrastructures require careful assessment of the current state of the artefacts, through detailed and targeted surveys, expensive laboratory instruments and highly skilled labour. This article presents two diagnostic systems based on an innovative, affordable and minimally invasive monitoring, able to provide the user with real-time information on the state of health of the structure. The system is composed of low-cost sensors, capable of monitoring various physical quantities, and connected to each other with different technologies for data transfer and sensor power supply. The recorded data are initially processed directly on board, then sent to the cloud, where they can be further processed or made available for subsequent processing or for a comparison with the expected response calculated using mathematical models of the structure.
Evaluation of internal actions in tunnel lining applying genetic algorithms to monitoring data
Authors: Bertagnoli Gabriele , Marino Francesco
Published: September 2019

This article presents an algorithm that can be applied to an innovative diagnostic systems for tunnels based on small and low-cost sensors that can be placed inside the tunnel lining and are able to provide the user with real-time information on the state of health of the structure. The aim of the system is measuring the internal actions (axial force, bending moment and shear) and the ovalization of the lining because of the actions exchanged between the ground and the lining itself. The algorithm presented in this paper aims to calculate the forces acting on tunnel lining starting only from the quantities measured by a set of clinometers and pressure sensors placed inside the casting, without any other knowledge of geotechnical or geological parameters. This method can therefore be applied in parallel with other traditional geotechnical investigation tools such as borehole inclinometers and radar interferometry when unexpected actions as landslides are interesting a tunnel.
Reinterpreting Tradition; Hybridization and Vernacular Expression in Emirati Housing
Authors: El Amrousi Mohamed , Elhakeem Mohamed , Caratelli Paolo
Published: September 2019

Contemporary urbanism and architecture in cities in the United Arab Emirates are becoming more aware of issues such as improving energy consumption and constructing a local identity as mandated in the Abu Dhabi 2030 master plan. Remnants of Emirati heritage is currently being revisited such as themajlis, a space of meeting that was part of local vernacular expression in the UAE, and theliwan, the shaded portico preceding private spaces in the Emirati housing. Themajlisprovided an autonomous space that retained family privacy by providing a male space on the boundaries of the domestic one. These phenomena are being revived in contemporary architecture signalling their socio-cultural needs that cannot be satisfied by western styled villas. This paper studies contemporary Emirati housing typologies in Abu Dhabi and the emerging hybridization of designs that allow for modifications/cultural expression within their walled boundaries. This research highlights also highlights the re-emergence of themajlisand theliwanas a cultural counter space to the rapid sprawl of modernity in the UAE.
Analysis of Load Bearing Capacity of Cement Concrete Airfield Pavement’s Construction in Relation to its’ Changes of Physico-Mechanical Parameters
Authors: Wesolowski Mariusz , Blacha Krzysztof , Iwanowski Pawel
Published: September 2019

An airfield pavement is a designated and properly prepared surface of an airfield functional element (AFE) fulfilling a specific task as part of air operations. A structural system of an airfield pavement is a set of layers, the task of which is to safely take over and transfer loads coming from moving aircraft onto the subsoil. The safety of air operations conducted by aircraft over airfield pavements most of all depends on the load-bearing capacity of their structures. The basic type of airfield pavements includes rigid pavements (elastic) made of cement concrete. The load-bearing capacity state of cement concrete airfield pavements are strongly impacted by concrete properties (physical, mechanical, rheological and resistance to environmental factors), as well as the condition and type of the subsoil directly under the evaluated pavement structure. Adopting an appropriate computational model for the evaluated structure, correct identification of the layers comprising the airfield pavement, accuracy of determining the technical parameters of materials sampled from the structure and a correct assessment of the load-bearing parameter of the subsoil directly under the assessed structure make the load-bearing end result expressed by a PCN index or the permissible number of air operations to be similar to actual conditions. The article presents the dependencies showing the impact of varying physico-mechanical parameters of concrete on the end results of the pavement load-bearing capacity.
Stability Analysis of Compression Member on Elastic Springs
Authors: Balaz Ivan , Kolekova Yvona , Moroczova Lydia
Published: September 2019

Part of the large parametric study focused on the stability behaviour of compression single members and the member structures with various loadings and boundary conditions is presented here. This part relates to the stability analysis of the compression member on elastic springs. The span of the member L = nℓ, where ℓ is the length of the field which equals to the distance between the neighbouring elastic springs. The members under investigation have seven various numbers of the fields n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and ∞. The members have uniform bending rigidity EI, uniform normal force N and (n – 1) elastic springs with equal spring stiffness Cw. The results are presented in the form of eight diagrams. The curves of diagrams were replaced by the straight lines to be able derived approximate formulae for calculation of the critical force. It is shown that approximate formulae give the values of the critical forces Fcr.a which differ from diagram values Fcr less than 3.3 %, being slightly on the safe side. The values of the critical forces Fcr obtained from the solution of the stability equation are verified by comparisons with results Fcr.IQ of the computer program IQ 100. Excellent agreement is achieved between Fcr.IQ and Fcr. The presented solution of the compression member on elastic springs may be used also for the calculation of the critical force of the compression member on elastic foundation. The solution given in the paper creates scientific background needed in the design of the semi-through bridge trusses.
Influence of Different Kinds of Paints on Self-Cleaning Process of the Facade Coating
Authors: Malek Marcin , Sudol Ewa
Published: September 2019

This work summarizes assessing the durability results of facade coatings in the area of their resistance of the self – cleaning effect. To characterize this feature three different types of samples were chosen: silicone paint, photocatalysis effect paint and lotus flower effect paint. Test samples were exposed on natural conditions and artificial weathering process in laboratory at the same time. After this research, durability effect of self – cleaning properties and stain resistance by established criteria were obtained. LM and SEM micrographs, contact angle and profilometry were used widely to measure this factor. In conclusion, all of tested facade coatings based on silicon exhibit the highest effect of self-cleaning.
Towards Large Scale Seismic Risk Assessment in Algeria: Case Study to the City of Blida
Authors: Abarca Andres , Monteiro Ricardo
Published: September 2019

In recent years, the use of large scale seismic risk assessment has become increasingly popular to evaluate the fragility of a specific region to an earthquake event, through the convolution of hazard, exposure and vulnerability. These studies focus on the vulnerability of the built environment of the region and the evaluation of the human social dimension, which has great importance when determining the ability of a community to attend to a disaster and to eventually resume normal activities. This study, developed within the scope of the EU-funded project ITERATE (Improved Tools for Disaster Risk Mitigation in Algeria), focuses on the development of a web-based framework for integrated seismic risk assessment in Northern Algeria, primarily focused on the city of Blida, chosen as first case-study. For this purpose, alliances with local institutions, web-based data mining techniques and specifically developed research were used to obtain: an updated seismic hazard model, and exposure and vulnerability models for local buildings and bridges, which are proposed and implemented in a web-based platform which allows the calculation of the seismic risk at a municipal level in terms of probabilistic losses. Furthermore, a social vulnerability assessment is implemented at the same level and combined with the physical vulnerability to enable the identification of the regions that are more vulnerable to earthquakes. Such framework will, in turn, empower Algerian stakeholders to perform the evaluation of earthquake scenarios at a regional scale and provide valuable information to decision makers for the implementation of risk mitigation measures in vulnerable areas.
Selected Aspects of Multi-Criteria Analyses Supporting Assessment of Construction and Material Solutions in Buildings and Building Structures
Authors: Szafranko Elzbieta
Published: September 2019

Decisions concerning planned buildings and building structures are made as early as the stage of planning development investments. Different variants of construction solutions and materials are evaluated, which entails reviewing numerous physical, chemical or maintenance factors. The more factors are involved, the more difficult it is to make a decision. While analysing alternative solutions, the decision-making process can be supported with a variety of methods. A possible approach is to employ a multi-criteria decision analysis method. Such methods will differ from one another in the way data are processed for analyses, in the methodology of analyses and in the form of an output. Moreover, every method may be burdened with errors. This article presents various problems connected with an analysis of data accomplished according to the MCE, AHP and Indicator Method, and arising during the interpretation of results.
Device for Determining the Adhesion Coefficient at the Slippage Point
Authors: Hrabovsky Leopold , Kulka Jozef , Michalik Peter
Published: September 2019

For the building of the new structures, as well as for the repairs or the reconstruction works on existing buildings, the building industry uses a wide variety of handling equipment. Industrial high-rise construction, but also low-rise family homes uses a broad range of standardized lifting means that enable handling of the construction elements. Of these, tower cranes and mast cranes, both stationary and mobile, are among the most widely used types of handling equipment. A change in the position of the crane jib is made by either raising or lowering the crane boom meaning an angular motion of the jib in a vertical plane, or by a central motion of the traveling trolley, to pick up the load, along with the boom or crane bracket. Mobile tower, or potentially mast cranes, move these using crane wheels moving along the crane track. Travelling crane trolleys move along the crane boom using traction cables or motor units that apply the necessary traction force to the perimeter of the given number of the crane wheels.
Ore Mining of Kutnohorsko and its Economic Importance for Construction and Development
Authors: Duraj Miloš , Niemiec Dominik , Sombathy Erik , Marschalko Marian , Yilmaz Isik , Matuszková Barbara , Arencibia Montero Orlando , Yang Shuran
Published: September 2019

Abstrakt. Kutná Hora became one of the most important cities in the Middle Ages thanks to its rich deposits of silver ores. The city still contains its rich mining past in its name today. The importance of this deposit led to the city developing very intensively, especially thanks to King Václav II. This sovereign contributed to the creation of a major mining law Ius regale montanorum and also moved the central mint to this city. New coins - Prague groschen - were minted there. The profits from silver mining and coinage have been significantly reflected in the still admired and valuable architecture of this mining town. The beauty of these preserved monuments greatly exceeds national significance and the town also offers original examples of mining works, which belongs to a sought after tourist destinations. Therefore, some of these monuments were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995.