bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Impact of Filler in the Form of Shredded Ceramic Waste on Selected Properties of a High-Strength Concrete Composite
Authors: Halbiniak Jacek , Langier Bogdan , Major Maciej
Published: September 2019

The paper presents the results of research of selected properties of high-strength concrete modified with a filler derived from the recycling of shredded ceramic flowerpots. The concrete features such as: air content in the concrete mix, consistency of the concrete mix, compressive strength and frost resistance were evaluated. Frost resistance tests were carried out by two methods: the first direct method for 150 cycles of freezing and thawing and the second by determining the structure characteristics of concrete porosity using automatic image analysis.

Damaged ceramic flowerpots were subjected to a mechanical treatment consisting on grinding them in a mill and then in a disintegrator. Powdered ceramic waste was added in amounts: 10, 20 and 30% of cement mass as a filler, simultaneously the same amount of mineral aggregate was reduced. In concretes made with the addition of shredded waste ceramics, mechanical features have been improved, which leaded to achieving higher average compressive strength compared to the reference concrete without this additive. Concretes with the addition of ceramics was also characterized with greater frost resistance. Frost resistance tests carried out with the help of automatic analysis of pore distribution in concrete proved to be an effective tool for assessing concrete resistance to cyclic freezing and thawing.
Landscape Architecture and Shapes
Authors: Lacerda Neto Filipe
Published: September 2019

Nowadays, the word landscape is used to name very different realities and, frequently, very far from its original meaning, which is connected to the rural territory. The adjectives that are usually used with it help to define its meaning and to extend the conceptual framework in which the word landscape is integrated. Therefore, we can talk about the interior landscapes, musical landscapes, artistic landscapes, poetical landscapes or human landscapes. Creating contextual architecture means incorporating into the project data, guidelines or relations imprinted in the territory or a place of the intervention. This amounts to link the architectural work with the structures which define the area where it will be located. The new intervention becomes another layer of the process of transformation and it can be consistent or collide with what already exists, in terms of the form. This document aims to fulfil the primary need of pointing with precision the conceptual framework in which what has been defined as the Landscape Architecture and Shapes is integrated. It is a discipline that studies the analysis and assessment of the material, environmental and formal conditions of the landscape, but always oriented towards the production of open spaces through the project and the implementation of the specific techniques. This article intends to offer a broad and systematic perspective of the different aspects involved in the Landscape Architecture, with the support of relevant examples of the culture of the landscape.
Water Issues in Urban Space on the Example of the City of Częstochowa
Authors: Solkiewicz-Kos Nina
Published: September 2019

Searching for and creating new “places” in a narrow urban space has become a need to compensate for the space deficit. The attempt to redefine place often involves renewal and revitalization of cultural spaces. The author presents three elements of urban space, the common feature of which is the water factor. The example of park areas, riverside areas and the city square presents a different scale, function and approach to the use of water in creating space. Water element occurring in the discussed areas may be a direct result of local and natural conditions. It can also be the result of human activity and technologies used by them. The city of Częstochowa has so far used the potential of the river and water as an element of industrial infrastructure. The presence of water in the city was associated with its servile role in industry. When discussing selected areas, the author presents changes that have occurred over the years. It presents the evolution in the approach to the use of the water element when creating a recreational space. The current revitalization activities carried out within the city focus on the use of the potential of water, regardless of the scale of activities. An example may be the renovation of the area around the lagoon, the restoration of riverside areas near to the city or the modernization of city squares with enrichment by a water element. Urban spaces in the form of small squares, squares, riverside boulevards, riverside baths accumulate and unload the pace of life in the city, becoming its integral element. The urban planning activities in the inner city areas force the architects to develop innovative solutions in the way of managing tight intermingling spaces.
Profitability Analysis and Assessment of the Possibility of Applying Renovation and Modernization Measures to Improve the Utility Value of Public Buildings
Authors: Bucon Robert
Published: September 2019

Utility building value depends, among other things, on the renovation and modernization activities undertaken at the maintenance stage. They result from a correct assessment of the building condition. Lack of appropriate methods, which in a comprehensive way, taking into account the utility requirements for these buildings, would allow to assess the condition of buildings is one of the main reasons for negligence in the proper maintenance of public buildings. With this in mind, the author carried out a study aimed at an in-depth analysis and assessment of the possibility of applying renovation and modernization measures in relation to the improvement of the utility value of the building and the cost of their implementation. As part of the research, a mathematical model was first developed, which was used to carry out the research. As part of the development of the model, a set of criteria relating to technical-utility, economic and environmental requirements was selected and a method for their evaluation was developed. Next, proposals of renovation and modernization activities were presented, the aim of which is to improve the utility value ratio of the building. For its evaluation the method based on the theory of fuzzy sets was used, which at the stage of inference uses expert knowledge included in the fuzzy rules database. The calculated utility value of the proposed renovation and modernization activities is the basis for further research analyses. Optimization tasks consisting in the selection of an appropriate repair variant are carried out by means of appropriate optimization methods. The adopted optimization objectives concerned both the possibility of improving the assumed increase in utility value and limitations in their financing. The assessment of utility value of public utility buildings, which has not been carried out yet, taking into account the current legal and utility requirements, will allow to determine the impact of renovation and modernization decisions taken on this basis on the adopted determinants determining the quality of the maintenance process, i.e. the increase in utility value and maintenance cost. The results of these studies may be important in expanding existing knowledge and the knowledge gained may contribute to changes in the way decisions are made and the improvement of the quality of building maintenance.
Rectangular Plates of a Trapezoidal Cross-Section Subjected to Thermal Load
Authors: Szymczak-Graczyk Anna
Published: September 2019

The method to calculate rectangular tanks as a system of bi-directionally bent plates with the use of separated plates methodology is a widely known and currently most often used approach to verify numerical calculations obtained from computer software supporting the design process, in which spatial operation of tanks is taken into account. In these calculations, due to their static scheme, it is possible to distinguish supported plates, plates fixed on four edges and plates with one edge free and three fixed. The subject literature contains publications on plates or tanks with walls of a constant thickness, however, there are very few references on plates or tanks with walls of linearly variable thickness. The wall plate of a tank is subject to hydrostatic load or soil pressure and might be exposed to thermal load in the case of, i.e. filling it with hot liquid or during climate action. The article presents the results of static calculations for rectangular plates with a linearly variable thickness, a trapezoidal cross-section, three fixed edges and one edge free, subjected to permanent and thermal loads. Trapezoidal cross-section walls are optimal when used in structures where load distribution is triangular in shape (hydrostatic load). For tanks recessed in the ground, the load on walls increases along with the depth of foundations and obtains the highest value in the bottom part of the wall. Trapezoidal or triangular load distribution causes that the highest values of bending moments in the vertical cross-section occur at the point where a wall connects to the bottom, while the upper free edge of the tank takes zero value. The above statements lead to the conclusion that structural and economic considerations should determine the choice of walls with a thickness increasing along with the tank depth, since it is more economical in terms of material usage. The impact of thermal load is often neglected in the design process, which may cause operational problems and even pose a threat to the safety of use. In addition to the numerical analysis, the article presents the results of model tests for a plate with a linearly variable thickness made of resin, subjected to thermal load. The convergence of the obtained results proves the correctness of calculations and tests performed. This also contributes to the recognition of statics in rectangular plates of a trapezoidal cross-section.
Regeneration of the Industrial Heritage in the Central Area of Oradea, Romania
Authors: Francesca Prada Ioana , Bungau Constantin , Zsak Ivett-Greta
Published: September 2019

This paper addresses the phenomenon of topicality, the desire to recover the declining or abandoned urban areas. It focuses mainly on the central area of the cities, where industrial units of historical and cultural value have often been forgotten. The study refers to the context of Romania joining the European region, with perspective of the past period since it was under the influence of the Soviet Union, a period in which a rapid industrialization took place. The period of change of the 21st century favoured the decline of many large industries, producing nowadays buildings and enclosures awaiting for a change. The object of study consists of the industrial units and their premises situated in the central area of Oradea; considering a special situation in which the historical tissue intertwines with the residential and the fragmented former-industrial one. Urban regeneration is one of the most important strategies for cities with irregular development that want to survive the “urban sprawl” phenomenon. Sustainable development goals can be achieved by changing policies and the direction of development, while pursuing economic and social progress. In the case of industrial heritage, old abandoned structures can turn into strengths. These holes become opportunities for changing the rhythm and direction of the development, offering flexibility to a rigid tram. An analysis of the strategies applied to areas having characteristics as close as possible to the fragments of the proposed site has been carried out. Also examples of good practice having a favourable effect on society, economy and environment were considered. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the importance of preserving the industrial heritage and to present various methods by which it can be converted and used for the benefit of contemporary society, while preserving its character and identity.
Reducing Water Losses for Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Popa-Albu Simona , Pisleaga Mihaela , Tenchea Adrian
Published: September 2019

From the point of view of water supply systems, and in particular of distribution networks, the environmental, social and economic criteria have had a significant role in the selection of urban water development decisions. In this respect, the article addresses the issue of reducing water losses in drinking water supply systems. Thus, there are presented the methods and technologies used and studied, currently, for the detection of damages on the pipes of the distribution networks. Continuous monitoring of the pipeline network has become an integral part of drinking water supply systems. Remote data transmission and the use of professional software allows for accurate loss detection in places where the probability of loss is maximum. The relocation method has the benefit of economies of time and money. In most developed countries, the percentage of water loss is significant. The article makes a theoretical analysis on the application of non-revenue water loss solutions (NRW) in Timisoara, Romania. At various points in the drinking water distribution network, measuring points are installed to measure the pressure, residual chlorine concentration, flow rate and flow direction. Measurement panels installed in underground fireplaces and sensors mounted directly on pipes transmit the measured data from sensors directly to the dispatcher via the GPRS data service. In addition to this information, the measurement point also generates alarms in the event of a home flood, unauthorized access, or lack of power from the grid. The results of the analysis highlight the fact that the loss reduction is quantified in water savings with positive effects on the reduction of pressure on the existing networks.
Design Problems of Tourism Infrastructure for People with Disabilities in Protected Landscape Areas in Poland
Authors: Maciejko Alicja , Wojtyszyn Boguslaw , Skrzypczak Agnieszka
Published: September 2019

The article presents problems of designing the tourist infrastructure for disabled people in protected landscape areas. At the introduction, there is an analysis of current regulations and implementation practice from the designer’s point of view. Design problems were discussed on the example of a project realised in the Stołowe Mountains National Park in Poland and a vision of its implementation in the future, in terms of changing regulations and under the influence of increasing the social sensitivity to the problem of accessibility for the people with disabilities and also, which is the essence of the design in an area of unique natural values, responsibility for the quality of natural open spaces, protected landscapes. There are many studies discussing the problems of disabled people in the apartments, public spaces and buildings. Now, this issue is expanding into open landscape areas, tourist routes and areas of legal nature protection. However, the implementation of full accessibility, as well as making the protected landscape available for tourism, is conditioned by many limitations. Since 2012, the Stołowe Mountains National Park has been implementing a project of making its natural resources available to the tourists as well as in terms of accessibility for the disabled. It is being realised, on the basis of a design concept for the small architecture elements and the buildings of the ticket offices created by architects Alicja Maciejko and Mirosław Strzelecki, stylistically coherent for the whole area of the National Park. This project was awarded in the architectural competition for the best friendly public space in the Lower Silesian Voivodship in 2014. The article also presents an analysis of what actions can be taken and what areas can be designated for full and partial accessibility.
Tourism Infrastructure Providing Access to Areas of Protected Landscape and Nature in Poland. Selected Examples
Authors: Maciejko Alicja , Wojtyszyn Boguslaw
Published: September 2019

The article presents design problems of tourist infrastructure in protected landscape and nature areas in Poland. They concern discrete regulation of the intensity and course of leisure and tourist traffic towards and within protected areas. Such regulation can only be carried out on the basis of the structure of accessibility of areas covered by protection and spatial development plans, shaped in accordance with environmental conditions. The quality of access to protected areas is also significantly influenced by the architecture of tourist infrastructure objects presented in the article. It concerns selected objects of small wooden architecture designed in areas with special landscape and natural requirements, which have been implemented in Poland in recent years. These objects are small elements, e.g. signposts, information and educational boards, benches, tables, waste bins, rest shelters, objects at entrances to protected areas (gates), ticket offices, as well as impressive engineering structures built in difficult terrain conditions, e.g. terraces, platforms and observation towers. These issues will be presented on the basis of many years of research and design works concerning protected areas in Lower Silesia (arch. Bogusław Wojtyszyn) and original designs (arch. Alicja Maciejko and arch. Mirosław Strzelecki) realised on the tourist routes of the Stolowe Mountains National Park in Poland, shaping tourism and recreation accessibility for all users including disabled people in protected landscape and nature areas.
Effects of Road Infrastructure on Pedestrian Safety
Authors: Budzynski Marcin , Guminska Lucyna , Jamroz Kazimierz , Mackun Tomasz , Tomczuk Piotr
Published: September 2019

Pedestrians represent more than 30% of all of Poland’s road traffic fatalities. This is much higher than the EU average (about 20%). Pedestrian accidents are usually the result of a complex situation and a number of contributing factors involving road users, the road and roadside and the vehicle. Pedestrian accidents are caused by road user error (drivers and pedestrians) and wrong planning and design. Poorly maintained road infrastructure is also a very frequent cause. The objective of the work was to identify risks for pedestrians that involve road infrastructure and roadside and to define how selected elements of geometry and traffic layout affect driver behaviour (speed on approaching pedestrian crossings). The results have helped to formulate recommendations on pedestrian crossing design. The research included an analysis of 2013-2017 statistics to identify the circumstances and causes of pedestrian accidents. Field work at about 2, 000 unsignalized pedestrian crossings was the basis for assessing the safety of these crossings. Assessment criteria were selected and a safety classification was made with specific recommendations made for possible treatments. More field work was designed to measure speeds near pedestrian crossings in three cases: no pedestrians in the crossing area, a pedestrian is approaching a crossing, a pedestrian is waiting to cross the road. The study was conducted in different areas (city, transit roads passing through small towns, non-built-up areas) for different cross-sections (one carriageway and two lanes – 1x2, two carriageways with two or three lanes each – 2x2, 2x3, one carriageway and four lanes – 1x4). The study also looked at speed limits – 50 and 70 km/h. The share of drivers giving way to pedestrians waiting to cross was also assessed. Pedestrians were surveyed and asked about how safe they feel crossing the road. The survey also asked drivers about driver behaviour and use of speed management measures. Statistical analyses show the circumstances and causes of pedestrian accidents. These include driving across a pedestrian crossing illegally, pedestrians stepping onto the road abruptly, night-time, excessive speed and others. Pedestrian crossings are the site of more than 30% pedestrian fatalities which shows the need for treatments. By assessing the hazards caused by road infrastructure near and at pedestrian crossings, the following hazards could be identified: limited sight-distance, poor illumination, excessive speed and no means of speed management, wrong geometry (length of crossing, number of traffic lanes), technical condition of the road and signage. Speed tests near pedestrian crossings show that some 40% of drivers do not observe the speed limits in built-up areas (especially on sections of transit roads passing through small towns and on dual carriageways in urban areas) and 30% do not observe the speed limits on rural roads.
Identifying Selected Tram Transport Risks
Authors: Budzynski Marcin , Tubis Agnieszka , Jamroz Kazimierz
Published: September 2019

In the area of transport infrastructure risks, infrastructure is inspected for safety. It is an element of transport safety management based on risk management and forms part of preventative activities and measures. As regards tram infrastructure which is a component of urban transport infrastructure, there are potential collisions with cars, cyclists and pedestrians. Data from Gdansk Buses and Trams (GAiT) shows that between 2012 and 2016 on average there were about 650 incidents involving trams (collisions and accidents). The objective of inspection will be to identify sources of hazards which may lead to tram accidents or indirectly when tram infrastructure may contribute to accidents not involving trams. The objective of the work is to identify the risks to urban public transport operation with a special focus on trams and to formulate recommendations on how to improve its quality and safety.
Risks to Older People in Road Traffic
Authors: Budzynski Marcin , Tubis Agnieszka
Published: September 2019

Demographic forecasts show that by 2050 about 25% of Europe’s population will be 65 or older. Ageing society translates into older people using roads. An increasing number of older people are drivers, cyclists and pedestrians representing a potential increase in accident risk due to functional limitations. The article looks at road traffic risks and main trends from the perspective of older road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians). With a longer time to react, poor eyesight and hearing, impaired mobility, ill health and medication, older road users are put at risk. A comprehensive and pro-active strategy is needed to deal with these risk factors and meet the safety and mobility needs of older people in the (nearest) future. The strategy should focus on assessing the main trends and identifying the road traffic risks for older road users. It should also aim to implement treatments such as ITS and change how road infrastructure is designed today. The objective of the work is to identify the risks to older people in road traffic and develop recommendations on ways to improve the safety of this age group. A study of the literature helped to identify the risk factors faced by older road users. Statistical analyses were used to define the trends, causes and circumstances of accidents involving this age group in the EU and in Poland compared to the EU. The article identifies risks and classifies them for older drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Needs for universal road infrastructure design are identified (to ensure full accessibility for all age groups, including older people and people with disabilities) and ITS treatments are formulated. EU data shows that about 44% of all pedestrian fatalities are people aged 65 and older. This highlights the seriousness of the problem. With an increasing share of this age group in society and a lack of road treatments to improve the situation, the statistics may deteriorate even further. In Poland drivers aged 65 and older have caused 10% of all accidents involving 14% of all fatalities. Pedestrians in this age group have caused 6% of fatality accidents. The article defines and classifies risk factors in three groups: growing exposure to risk, growing accident risk (factors involving the user directly such as behaviour, illness, functional limitations) and growing accident severity (fatality and serious injury accidents).
The Influence of Air Heating and Lighting on the Comfort Conditions in NZEB Buildings’ Rooms
Authors: Fedorczak-Cisak Malgorzata , Furtak Marcin , Szmelter Aleksandra , Dechnik Miroslaw
Published: September 2019

Near zero energy buildings (NZEB) and passive buildings are designed to minimize the energy consumption. The building’s “almost zero energy demand” standard, which will be in force in Europe from 2021, additionally imposes an obligation on buildings to use the energy from renewable sources. It should be remembered that in addition to the applicable criteria for NZEB buildings, the comfort of use of the rooms is equally important. The development of low-energy buildings resulted in new products and technologies on the construction and installation materials market. Radiator heating is increasingly being abandoned for surface or air heating. In the lighting industry, which also generates the energy consumption, products based on LED technology are developing. Both new heating and lighting systems have a very large impact on the comfort of using NZEB buildings. In this article, the Authors will present the results of “in situ” research regarding the feeling of comfort in an office space heated using fan coil units. The ventilation system also influences the feeling of comfort. The location of the ventilators in the room and the stream of supply air may cause discomfort. The authors will check the comfort conditions in different places of the room, including the propagation of the air stream. Additionally, the Authors will determine the minimum operating temperature of work comfort in the tested room, with the air heating. The second research task of this article will be to determine the visual comfort of people, when using recommended illuminance. The aim of the article is to answer the question of how to design workplaces in an air-heated room and how to design lighting to optimize the work comfort and energy consumption. The conclusions from the article will allow formulating the principles for the design of NZEB buildings.
Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool for Low Waste Building Systems, Case Study Building External Wall
Authors: Androsevic Renata , Brocato Maurizio , Bijedic Dzenana , Rustempasic Nerman
Published: September 2019

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is defined as decision making method for buildings from “cradle to grave”. Considering the fact that the construction industry produces 38% of total waste and 40% of total CO2 emissions and uses 50% of all natural resources, according to EIB 2015, the building industry has to change this way of thinking to the concept “cradle to cradle”. According to European Commission (Directive 2008/98/EC 2008), the first and preferred option is waste prevention and the second option are other types of recovery. The waste should be prevented in the design phase and LCA should help a lot in this stage. The main goal of this paper is to show how the LCA can be used as a tool in design phase to help decision process in building design of one of the building systems and make that part circular and, if possible, without waste. External wall, as one of the systems of a building, is taken as case study in its different materialization to show LCA use in the construction waste elimination in building practice. The external wall is the system of a building which is the most exposed to external factors, as weather conditions and human. Very often, the wall is damaged before other systems of a building. Hence the design and building of external walls that produce less waste, is a huge step in construction waste management. The LCA software is used to compare two chosen case studies. The first one is prefabricated wooden wall for low energy houses. The second one is the wooden wall made for Green Design Centre in Mostar in 2018. The first results show that in the second case study, the wall made for reversible and transformable building, and designed according to circular building principles, has better chances to last longer, and produce less waste during its transformations and aging. The paper shows main principles for designing the low waste wooden walls and also some remarks how to upgrade the software to be more helpful in the design phase of the wall systems.
Teaching Drawing, Painting and Sculpture at the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology, classics and modernity
Authors: Orzechowski Miroslaw
Published: September 2019

Teaching art disciplines at architectural universities goes back to the nineteenth-century academic art of Art schools. This also applies to the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology. The fact of establishing a research and a teaching team teaching arts disciplines at WAPW, simultaneously with the University’s establishment, is important for the identity of the Warsaw School of Architecture. Teaching the drawing and artistic disciplines underwent further changes from 1915 to the present. At that time, the school acquired a specific character; it became recognizable thanks to the elaboration of its own unique style of the architectural drawing and views expressed by its representatives regarding drawing and teaching of architecture. From the very beginning, the school appealed to the classics and for many years preserved traditional didactic methods. Moved to the present day, artistic academicism has undergone a thorough transformation in recent years thanks to a change in the approach to didactics and redefining of the understanding of the most important feature of the drawing. The change of understanding of the meaning of drawing in the educational process from primary school to academic level requires teachers and students to change the perception of the essence of a drawing activity. This is not an easy process because the common understanding of drawing reduces it to the area of aesthetics. Meanwhile, a freehand drawing made by the nature fulfills a fundamental role in the process of developing and shaping an independent creative personality. It is probably the most important skill alongside reading and writing. Acquainting and promoting the meaning of a freehand drawing is a task and a challenge for the current School of Drawing at WAPW. An indication of the essence of a drawing activity as a method that harnesses the processes of reasoning and information processing of an independent drawing record seems to be an innovative look at the drawing and its role in creating culture and civilization. We are therefore facing the task of defining drawing anew and rebuilding of proper artistic education based on a hand drawing from the nature.
Poetical Intrinsic Consciousness in Contemporary Cultural Architecture
Authors: Hapenciuc Alma-Dia , Andreea Banescu Oana
Published: September 2019

The intangible is one of the most thought about fundamental architectural themes, but unlike visible, palpable topics relying on function, structure or materials, the ineffable presence only sometimes generated by architectural space will always be a collective informational void that can only be holistically explored through theories and visions of poetics, psychology, literature, history, etc. The justification of architecture itself, its spatial consciousness, its temporality, its integrity and its presence can become - only in profoundly authentic and sincere spaces - the native language of architecture itself, beyond the aesthetic, structural, functional, material, environmental or light vocabulary, eventually generating together with them, the very life of a building. This, experimented by the human factor, as a product of the interaction of the aforementioned dynamics, can create an architectural experience, beyond a building. From Antiquity until today, sight has been considered the noblest of senses - from expressing certainty to the correlation with primary elements (fire, light, etc.), to symbolic form, approximating the intellect, the metaphorical, the immaterial. Given that man has therefore transcended the visual through a synesthetic collaboration between all senses and emotion or imagination, we are interested in experimenting spaces that use and exploit numerous senses, as well as their actual inner void and intrinsic spatial consciousness. We aim to use the analysis and a personal research project in order to generate a theoretical equation or an expression of dialogue between theoretical spatial poetry and the actual practice in contemporary spaces. In the current evolutionary context that has an explosive crescendo on excessive information, the ever-increasing technology and the pressure of constant innovation, only some of the contemporary functions manage to create spaces that go beyond the visual, through the cumulus of senses, in a dimension in which architecture speaks without words, transforming itself into lyricism and nurturing an inner space of feeling and poetry. Therefore, mostly spaces of meditation and cultural reflexion, remembrance and historical representation, which shelter individual and collective emotions, artistic expressions, creations and beliefs can breed intrinsic spatial and temporal identity. The personal knowledge, acquired by previously designing an interactive experience museum, has generated a strong background in analysing the features and accordingly creating immaterial, poetical space of experimentation and dialogue between the users / visitors and the desired cultural references. Thus, it will be essential in finding the optimal means to obtain an architectural equation or expression in which theory, lyricism, ambient poetry, practice and technology compliment themselves in a harmonious and efficient manner.
Data Collection Methodology to Assess Road Pavement Condition Using GNSS, Video Image and GIS
Authors: Santos Bertha , Almeida Pedro G. , Maganinho Leonor
Published: September 2019

Traffic loads, along with the environment, damage pavement over time. The degradation of pavement quality is reflected in the development of a diversity of pavement distresses, such as cracking, deformation or deterioration. These distresses may occur on the surface and/or in the pavement structure, having a determinant role in pavement’s quality. Aiming to increase the degree of reliability of the pavement distress data and reduce pavement observation time and visual inspection operations cost, this work presents the main steps proposed for a methodology to observe, record and evaluate flexible road pavement distresses to assess the quality of road pavements. This methodology is based on an in-vehicle inspection using GNSS and video image capture devices and in the use of Geographic Information System (GIS). Validation of the proposed methodology was made through a case study by comparing the results obtained on the in-vehicle inspection to those from a traditional visual inspection performed on foot. The similarity of results obtained by the two approaches allowed to conclude about the feasibility of the proposed methodology. Among the main advantages of the proposed methodology a highlight is on the possibility to identify, quantify and locate the most severe pavement distresses through the use of spatial tools available on GIS, producing information maps and reports that can be used in the decision-making process about road pavements rehabilitation and conservation.
A museological approach of an urban project: Parisian cultural institutions as urban actors
Authors: Mosquera-Perez Clara , Mosquera-Adell Eduardo , Navarro-dePablos Javier
Published: September 2019

Considering the most recent contemporary historical, geographical and social displacements of the places of power have been taken into consideration through the role of the culture and arts on them. The aim of this research is to examine, from the perspective of the urban historiography of Paris, an analyse of the trajectory and transformation of the city by the means of its museums’ institutions. Paris has suffered from important processes of acceleration and changes to become the contemporary capital that it is nowadays. The city counts with the precedent of its great Haussmannian transformation into a modern city and the historical three concentric growth of its city walls perimeter and the later succession of up to six international exhibitions (between 1855 and 1937). However, after the impasse produced by the two war periods, a new urban and political project - still present in our days - was built up based on the cultural institutions. Great new cultural infrastructures were designed for expecting areas and terrain vagues, most of them with a proved level of change, at the Seine riverbanks. They follow the Louvre museum historic model of implantation. Meanwhile, the historical inner Marais district experimented a deep restoration and a reuse process, with cultural institutions as the main actors. Even more, Beaubourg void was pointed as an opportunity for a decisive change for the whole city. Cultural insertions of the opportunity spaces beside the river have definitely established Paris as a top rank cultural destination. Heading the cultural tourism rates at a global level, its historical heart - The City Island, nowadays being under research conducted by the French architect Dominique Perrault, with the horizon of a 25-years renovation project, the Right Bank (with the French Cinematheque, the Arsenal Pavilion, Louvre Museum, Decorative Arts Museum, The Orangerie, The Grand Palais, The Palais of Tokyo and the Palais of Chaillot) and the Left Bank (counting with the French National Library, The Arab World Institute, the Orsay Museum, the Invalids Hospital, Quay Branly Museum and the Eiffel Tower), sum up to the most relevant museums’ institutions and exhibition spaces of the city. Thus, the research will deepen in the urban strategy for the choice of the museums and cultural institutions as the decisive architectural actors for the renewal of the Parisian urban landscape. The role of their architectures, intimately associated with their performing use, will be critically examined.
Sustainability in Interior Design: Interdisciplinary Research Used for Exploring Relation between Built Environment and Human
Authors: Kotradyova Veronika
Published: September 2019

This paper presents achievements and results in the projects based on the Platform of BCDlab (Body Conscious Design laboratory) and the Institute of Interior and exhibition design of Faculty of Architecture, related to sustainability. The studies are related to the collection of 11 features of a supportive environment for the contemporary human – “cultural animal”. These postulated have been generated during the last years of the research or relation between the human and its natural and built environment in BCDlab. Each postulate is illustrated with some of its design outputs. The presence or lack of the supportive environment has an impact on the contemporary behaviour, well-being, social and interpersonal interactions and in a long-term interaction also on the personal and environmental integrity, belonging to the community and local culture and especially to the public health. There is also an evidence of interrelation to the sustainability approach, the paper presence studies that are emphasising the importance of the material choice by the spatial design, the role of local growth materials in its authentic and truthful form and surface.
Studying Specific Features of the Monolithic Construction Technology Based on Systemic Analysis
Authors: Topchiy Dmitriy , Bolotova Alina
Published: September 2019

A scientific study was conducted, the main goal of which is to improve the quality of the monolithic construction by grouping and systematizing the main characteristics of the monolithic construction technology, especially those that affect its safety and quality, as well as identifying the most important and unresolved problems affecting the security of monolithic reinforced concrete buildings and structures using systems analysis. To systematize the monitored quality indicators, a decision tree was developed. Based on the quality monitoring the construction sites, a grouping was carried out according to the nature of the violations and a chart was constructed showing the distribution of violations identified during the construction control of the construction organizations. The research and analysis of the scientific support of construction sites show that it is possible to obtain reliable results during quality control only by using several methods at the same time. Apart from that, the issue of choosing a method for testing concrete in the winter conditions still remains relevant. Even with a large number of papers being devoted to this issue, it needs a further research. The conducted system analysis showed that the main cause of defects in thr buildings and structures is the inability to provide the necessary characteristics of concrete both during the preparation of the concrete mix and during the construction phase of the finished monolithic structure. The research results allowed: to note the effect of production control on the quality properties of monolithic structures; identified the main causes of defects in buildings and structures at each stage of the monolithic construction, identified and justified the need to develop recommendations and experimental studies to improve production operations, including non-destructive testing methods for the strength of the monolithic structures.
Visitors Voice in Historic Sites Interpretation Centres in Bahrain
Authors: Al-Saffar May , Anissa Tabet Aoul Kheira
Published: September 2019

Throughout the past decade, a number of site interpretation centres, such as site museums, visitor centres, site exhibits, have grown in Bahrain, a country that is seeking international recognition through culture. This specific typology of museums intends to explain the nearby historical site through the use of multiple interpretation strategies. Understanding the visitors’ expectations is an important component in the success of cultural institutions. Exploring the components of a visitor experience and expectations within site interpretation centres has, so far, received limited attention. Hence, this research intends to analyse the visitors’ experience and expectations in a specific site interpretation centre in Bahrain: Qalat al Bahrain Site Museum. The visitor’s experience and expectations were assessed through two streams of feedbacks. First, an analysis of the comments recorded on the visitors’ book. These comments addressed the visitors’ reflections, expectations, experiences, and the type of activities undertaken within the premises. Second, the online TripAdvisor from 169 valid returns, 200 TripAdvisor comments and an overview of the visitors’ written comments, different types of emotional and spiritual experience expectations were extracted for further analysis… In parallel, this research analysed visitors’ behaviour through observation inclusive of different timings during the day and during the year to understand the impact of climatic condition on the visitors’ experience and expectations for validation purposes. Finally, some related scholarship discussions and suggestions were proposed based on visitors voice and reflection underlining the reasons why people choose to visit site interpretation centres with reference to personal and social demands.
Loads in Rope Access System when Working at Heights
Authors: Korolchenko Dmitry A. , Thanh Pham Nam
Published: September 2019

The statistics of injuries in Russian Federation put accidents in heightworks in the first place. Heightworks using rope access (RA) are considered. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety margin of RA anchors when used by specialists for increasing the safety of heightworks. The values of peak loads arising in the anchor during ascending using the two rope clamps technique and when descending using descender are determined. The empirical results of loads in the RA are presented to increase the competence of safety specialists when working at heights. The results showed that the loads in the RA can reach up to 544% of the load created by a specialist in a static position. The loads upon the point exceeded the worker’s weight by 5.44 times due to the dynamic nature of the impact of the displacement technique. The values of peak forces at anchor points obtained when performing work using RA should be taken into account by high rise work safety specialists, when drawing up work and rescue plans, planning the method of performing work in rope access systems.
Possibilities of Energy Efficiency Experimental Research Using MLBE Building’s Automation and Control System
Authors: Romanska-Zapala Anna , Furtak Marcin , Fedorczak-Cisak Malgorzata , Dechnik Miroslaw , Grzywocz Karina
Published: September 2019

Due to the increasing requirements in the field of buildings’ energy saving, impossible to meet only due to the thermal insulation of the building envelope, it is necessary to pay attention to the energy efficiency of technical installations and application of automatic control systems. Computer simulations on the building structure or functioning of its individual installations in the context of limiting its energy consumption, performed by Design Builder – type computer programs, are a very useful tool. However, in the case of simulation studies on the impact of automatic control systems on energy efficiency, the results are often overly optimistic – they are overestimated in comparison to results achieved in actual environments. Therefore, the results obtained should be validated in an actual environment. This paper presents the Małopolska Laboratory of Energy Efficient Building (MLBE) of Cracow University of Technology, which provides an opportunity to perform experimental actual scale research of building automation systems to improve buildings energy efficiency and occupants’ comfort. This paper includes a detailed description of MLBE’s building automation and control system. Furthermore, this paper presents possibilities and an example methodology of energy efficiency’s experimental study using BACS system.
Multi-Source Cooling System Control in the MLBE Building – a Pilot Experimental Study
Authors: Romanska-Zapala Anna , Furtak Marcin , Dechnik Miroslaw , Grzywocz Karina
Published: September 2019

Computer simulations of buildings in the context of improving their energy efficiency, performed by the Design Builder – type computer programs, are a very useful tool. However, in the case of simulation studies on the impact of automatic control systems on the energy efficiency of buildings, the results are often overly optimistic. Energy savings are overestimated in comparison to the results achieved in the real environments. Therefore the results obtained by the simulations should be validated in a real environment. The Małopolska Laboratory of Energy Efficient Building (MLBE) of Cracow University of Technology provides an opportunity to perform an experimental real scale research of the building automation systems to improve the buildings energy efficiency and occupants’ comfort. This paper presents a part of the multi-source cooling system with selected cooling sources and room’s cooling methods, implemented in the MLBE building. The purpose of the summer study was to verify the work of selected technical equipment and installations that realize the cooling process in actual conditions. A gas heat pump and a passive cooling system using the cooling capacity of the soil were used. Furthermore, the fan coil units and the plane systems were used at the room level. Together with the possibilities of the building automation and control system implemented in MLBE, the results shown in this paper will become – in the future planned research – a base for creating optimized algorithms for controlling the studied system in the context of the search for energy-efficient installation and programming solutions. The obtained results will form the basis to develop more effective control strategies for the tested cooling system, both in the economic context as well as in the context of the required users´ comfort.