bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrological response to future precipitation extremes under climate change
Authors: Li G H , Chen Z N , Li J , Wen X
Published: December 2020

Adaptive management of future flood disasters is necessary under climate change. In this study, a Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution based statistical model was established to simulate historical and future precipitation extremes in the Xin’an River basin, and the vertical mixed runoff model was driven by future precipitation extremes to simulate the hydrological response to extreme flood events. Compared to precipitation events for the period 1951-2017, the intensity of monthly extreme precipitation for the period 2020-2099 would be increased by 10.4%, 11.0% and 11.4% at a 10-, 20- and 50-year return period, respectively. Future precipitation extremes with a 10-, 20- and 50-year return period were used to drive the calibrated vertical mixed flow model and to simulate the hydrological response of the Xin’an River basin. The runoff peak is increased from 4930 m3/s for p=10% to 6525 m3/s for p=2%, while the flood volume is increased from 4.26 billion m3 for p=10% to 5.68 billion m3 for p=2%, respectively. The hydrological response to precipitation extremes identified herein can serve as a foundation for adaptive flood control operation in the future.
Application of GA-BP neural network model for small watershed flood forecasting in Chun’an county, China
Authors: Huang D J , Tian C C , Jiang J Y
Published: December 2020

Flood forecasting for small basins in hilly areas is often plagued by poor performance of hydrological models due to lack of observed data, meanwhile, the traditional Back Propagation (BP) neural network is easy to fall into the local minimum. This paper put forward an approach combined Genetic Algorithms (GA) with BP neural network and established a GA-BP neural network model to promote the flood forecasting. The flood hygrograph of Fenglingang small watershed, in Chun’an county, simulated by GA-BP model indicates that the deviation of runoff volumes is controlled within 10%, the deviation of peak discharge is kept below 20%, and absolute error of time to peak is less than 2h. Additionally, the correlation coefficient of simulation result of GA-BP model for each rainstorm event is above 0.75, which is smaller than that of traditional BP model. Consequently, it is demonstrated that the GA-BP model has a higher simulation precision and can provide reference for local forecasting in the future.
Characteristic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their sources in surface water in North China
Authors: Zhang J , Wang Y Z , Meng X Z , Zhang S L , Xu W
Published: December 2020

Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in nine typical surface water sources in North China have been analyzed by solid phase extraction-gas chromatography tandem triple four-stage mass spectrometry (SPE-GC-MS-MS). The results showed that eleven in sixteen PAHs were detected except BkFL, BaP, InP, BghiP and DBA. The range of total PAHs in spring water body of nine water sources is 23.76-71.47 ng/L, and that is 83.72-277.8 ng/L in summer. The results showed that the seasonal pollution of PAHs was significantly different, and the pollution status of PAHs in summer was significantly higher than that in spring because the non-point source pollutants including PAHs would easily enter surface water sources with rainfall-runoff. The results also showed the PAHs are mainly composed of medium and low cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (2-3 rings). In addition, the ratios of Ant/(Phe+Ant), Flu/(Pyr+Flu) and BaA/(BaA+Chr) indicate the PAHs pollutants should be mainly from coal and wood burning in the upstream area of these water sources, entering water sources through surface runoff, which is not obviously affected by the pollution of oil leakage and discharge. Generally, the concentration of the PAHs in surface water sources in North China is still lower, but it is suggested that we should pay more attention to PAHs risk assessment for the drinking water sources.
Analysis of the relation between meander river transformation and soil classification in urban area
Authors: Murniningsih S
Published: December 2020

In general, the profile of longitudinal river flow can be divided into 3 zones i.e. source zone is the headwater or upstream part of the river, transition zone or middlestream and floodplain zone or downstream zone. Urban area usually located at downstream zone which is river section has a meander pattern therefore its many problem prone to this area, for instance, bank erosion, flood disaster at the housing area along the meander curve. Once of approach to solve this problem, especially minimize of flood disaster, is normalized the river with cutting off meander curve. However, there are several studies show that cutting off the curve of meander results in channel instability on sediment transport and environment problem. Therefore, the study of the relation between meander transformation and riverbed soil classification should be needed to avoid a misstep. Area of study is Pesanggrahan River located at the western part of Jakarta Province. When viewed from the entire river section, Pesanggrahan River passing through an urban area that has been developed and riverbed material composition at downstream zone usually are clay, silt and sand. The previous research findings concluded that soil composition with a high percentage of silt, i.e. sandysilt, would be change rapidly compare than soil composition with a low percentage of silt, i.e. clayeysilt. Hence, the hypothesa of this research is meander curve with soil classification low percentage of silt are more stable than soil composition of high percentage of silt and meander curve that have not transform for a long time and it’s not recommended to cutting off to maintain the watershed ecosystem as a whole.
Analysis on the suitability for port construction of shoreline resources of Zhoushan Archipelago
Authors: Liu Z Y , Yang L , Zhang J , Zuo G C , Zhang Y J
Published: December 2020

Port coastline resources are important marine resources. Coastal ports are not only important infrastructures for national economic and social development, but also important pillar industries and prominent growth points for the marine economy. Zhoushan Archipelago has rich coastline resources, but its unique island environment limits its transportation conditions, which make the methods of suitability evaluation different from the evaluation method of continents’. Taking Zhoushan as an example, this paper studied the evaluation method of port shoreline resources on the island shoreline, so as to provide scientific basis for port coastline resource utilization and sea-use planning.
New Capital Cities: A Timeless Mega-project of Intercontinental Presence
Authors: Ghalib Hebatullah , Elkhorazaty Mohamed Tamer , Serag Yehya
Published: December 2020

Mega-projects are projects that require immense resources to create. This includes all different aspects; funding, labour, etc. These projects are meant to create a massive effect on the city or national level through providing job opportunities during construction as well as after completion. Moreover, these projects usually have an intercontinental effect that echoes worldwide and may affect other projects, cities or even countries either positively or negatively. Mega-projects are not restricted to certain project typologies; in fact they range from Olympic cities to water dams and channels. We can even claim that the first mega-project was the great pyramid. Mega-projects can also be linked to mega-events thus achieving more international acknowledgement. This paper discusses the creation of new capital cities as a mega-project typology. It analyzes different examples worldwide where a new capital city was created to act as a mega-project that would create ripples of economic and urban development through a country. The capitals of Brazil, Kazakhstan and Egypt are studied to display the authors view of them as mega-projects that have the same function but span across time, space and cultures.
Convective Heat Transfer Inside Planar Solar Collectors
Authors: Ficker Tomáš
Published: December 2020

There is a permanent interest in improving the construction and thermal properties of the planar solar collectors. Minimizing the heat losses of the collectors and improving their energy gains are some of the relevant research goals. Convective heat transfer inside the cavity of planar collectors has been determined theoretically and numerically in this conference contribution. The convective heat transfer is computed on the basis of physical relations using the correlation relations of Nusselt’s number. The Nusselt number has been expressed by means of Rayleigh’s and Prandtl’s numbers. The convective heat transfer inside the cavities of planar solar collectors represents essential part of heat losses that lower the effectiveness of these collectors. In this conference contribution the convective heat losses have been compared with the standard density of heat flow coming from the Sun and the corresponding energy ratio has been determined. It has been shown that this ratio amounts almost 10 %. A typical summer environment has been supposed with a standard sunshine reaching 1000 Wm−2. The common type of the planar solar collector with geometrical dimensions 2m x 1m x 0.05m and cavity filled by air has been investigated. The temperature of the absorber has been supposed to be 70 °C whereas the temperature of the glass plate placed on the top side of the collector has been assumed to be 35 °C.
Heat Losses of Window Compact Shutters
Authors: Ficker Tomáš
Published: December 2020

Window shutters are usually made of wood. They protect glazed windows at their external sides from mechanical damages and inconvenient weather conditions. A typical window compact shutter is described and its thermal properties are discussed. In winter season, the heat transfers inside the window shutters represent unwanted heat losses. These transfers of heat are caused especially by convection and radiation running between the warm glazed side of the window to the cold external side of the shutter and through this external side into outdoor space. The heat transfers are computed on the basis of physical relations. The computation of convective heat transfer is based on the correlation relations utilizing Rayleigh’s and Prandtl’s numbers. The radiative transfer is computed by means of the Stefan-Boltzmann law and the Kirchhoff law. The thermal resistance of the typical shutter is derived. It is shown that this resistance is temperature dependent. It is the radiation that is responsible for the temperature dependency of the thermal resistance of compact window shutters. The formula for thermal resistance derived in this contribution may assist the building technologists to evaluate insulation capabilities of similar compact shutters possessing comparable geometric dimensions and similar thermal emissivities.
Health-Promoting Places: Rain Gardens and Sustainable Water Management
Authors: Trojanowska Monika
Published: December 2020

What are the qualities of health-promoting places? Is the presence of water necessary? The rain gardens which are collecting the stormwater could become the dynamic elements of the urban landscape. Apart from ecological services they can also benefit human health. This paper presents two examples of sustainable water management in Gdynia, Poland and one in Asnièrs, close to Paris in France. The rain garden constructed near InfoBox in Gdynia is a good example of the implementation of the city environmental policy on a small scale. This rain garden in a planter helped to create an inviting place. Another rain garden developed as a part of the urban regeneration strategy in the northern part of Gdynia proves that such investment could make a huge difference in the quality of local living. A previously neglected space became lively and inviting. The Rue Soeur Valerie in Asnièrs is a good example of how to create a friendly, walkable street using a sustainable water drainage system. This paper discusses the positive health impact of water management.
Numerical Investigation of an Atypical Building in Turbulent Wind Flow
Authors: Hubova Olga , Macak Marek
Published: December 2020

The article deals with the numerical investigation of wind flow and wind pressure distribution on an atypical building and influence of wind direction on the external wind pressure coefficients. The analysis and computer simulation have been solved due to the collapse of the bottom of the overhanging parts that have been damaged by a strong wind. In the first phase, the selected building and its surroundings were investigated using CFD simulation. We chose the finite volume method implemented into the program ANSYS Fluent, which offers several turbulence models. RANS k-ε model was used for our solution for near-wall treatment; the standard wall functions by Launder and Spalding were used. Additional inputs for the k-ε model are equations for turbulent kinetic energy k and turbulence dissipation rate ε. Size of the computational domain was used according to the recommended value of block ratio of 3%. The wind pressures obtained at the bottom of the ceiling were comparable with the Eurocode values and were not significantly higher. In the second phase, we tested the pressure distribution at the bottom of the suspended ceiling, assuming that the wind could enter the interspace of the ceiling. In the north wind direction, the streets around the building accelerate the wind flow, the wind runs down on the building’s façade and gets in the bottom of the suspended ceiling through the openings and tears off the soffit because the resulting pressures are significantly higher than the Eurocode values for roofs.
Development of Force Limiters in Mobile Rod Structures of Demountable Type
Authors: Shmelev Gennady , Pugacheva Natalya , Khaidarov Lenar , Antonov Anatoly , Gimazetdinov Aivaz , Sibgatullin Marat , Galimullin Ilshat , Badrutdinov Marat , Farah Reda
Published: December 2020

Large-scale mass events (sports, entertainment, etc.) require safe and high-quality organization of the visual and stage sector, so there is a need for pre-fabricated and mobile rod structures. To solve such problems, it is convenient to use the Layher system of modular building structures. The criterion for design failure is the failure of one of the most loaded elements, even when the entire system as a whole still has some resource. Compensating devices can be a solution to this problem. This study solves the problem of redistribution of forces in the rods using compensating devices, taking into account the stress state of the rod system. In the event of failure of one or more elements, their internal forces are redistributed between adjacent elements in proportion to their stiffness, so spatial rod systems can fairly well resist progressive destruction. However, the destroyed element does not carry any further load and adjacent elements can also fail. Compensating devices leave overstressed rods in operation and thus increase the load-bearing capacity of the rod system. The invention relates to the field of construction and mechanical engineering, namely to rod metal structures and their elements that work on tension or compression, primarily in statically indeterminate systems. The purpose of the invention is to obtain stable axial forces in a limited range separately for compression and stretching with the possibility of adjusting their size and length of the element. This goal is achieved by the fact that in the process of manufacturing the force limiter, which includes coaxial rod elements with a collet clip, the contact surfaces are made with ring waves (teeth), which can have a sinusoidal, triangular and trapezoidal profile with different angles of inclination of the sides. The height and pitch of the ring waves are assigned from the conditions for performing the calculated range and speed of loads, and the angle of inclination of the profiles from the conditions for ensuring different rates of change in forces (compression/stretching). Arbitrary schemes have been studied, the use of compensating devices in which allows reducing the metal content of the structure by 20%. A compensating device was developed and calculated. An experiment was conducted to identify the redistribution of forces between elements when using compensating devices: the results generally coincide with theoretical calculations.
Reconstruction of the Technical Condition of Concrete Airfield Pavements with the Use of Prefabricated Slab Technology
Authors: Świerzewski Bartosz , Wesołowski Mariusz
Published: December 2020

The rapidly growing civil aviation industry is primarily an increase in the number of air operations, both in passenger and cargo traffic. This leads to an increase in the impact of aircraft on airfield pavement structures and, consequently, to an intensive operation process. Concrete airfield pavements occurring at airports in Poland, but also around the world, cover a wide spectrum, starting from newly built surfaces, used ones as well as those that are subject to renovation. Particular attention should be paid to pavements in the process of operation and pavements which age exceeds the designed useful life and which are already subject to renovation works. Basic types of failures can be identified on concrete airfield pavements including surface failures (e.g. spalling, cracks), local failures (e.g. pop-outs, corner cracks), linear failures (e.g. meander cracks, decrements of the pourable sealing compound in expansion gaps). Currently, where in many cases there is an urgent need to repair damaged pavement, companies and organizations responsible for road/airport construction are looking for new and innovative technologies, including prefabricated concrete pavement technologies, which can ensure effective repairs in a very short time, without closing the given lane or the entire airport. Due to the fact that the age of currently used airfield concrete pavements in Poland often exceeds 30 years, it became necessary to search for effective and fast technologies to improve their technical condition. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field of existing prefabricated concrete technologies used at airports in Poland and worldwide. In addition, an innovative technology of using a prefabricated concrete slab has been described, intended for reconstruction of damaged, local airfield pavements in Poland, which were qualified for renovation due to the direct threat to the safety of aircraft operations. The technology guarantees the reconstruction and even improvement of the load capacity of the replaced airfield panels, which was confirmed during laboratory and field tests and verified practically in the process of real operation by air traffic. In addition, the concept of further research on the development of this technology based on cooperation with neighbouring panels using dowel joints will be presented.
River Restoration as a Method Towards Harmonization of Natural Habitats in the Context of Ecological Corridors Preservation: A Case Study on the Hron River
Authors: Agócsová Ágnes , Högyeová Michaela , Chodasová Zuzana , Ondrejička Vladimír , Husár Milan , Jamečný Ľubomír
Published: December 2020

Natural profile of the streams was conditional to the anthropological intervention, to channelling (canalization) of the watercourses due to the gradual settlement. The mentioned approach was involved because of the flood protection of residential areas, groundwater level adjustment, riverbed stabilization, etc. Corresponding anthropogenic interventions led to the devastation of several ecosystems and ecological corridors and their functions, occurring in the natural landscape environment. Consequently, rivers acquired new hydrological, hydraulic and biological parameters. The necessity of policy reaction led to the establishment of a framework for conservation areas, known as Natura 2000, in order to protect the threatened species and natural habitats. This article presents a case study based on a project aimed at the renewal of the flow-through of the blind river channel of the Hron river (in Slovakia) in its natural, historical channel’s route with the length of 570 m and the width between 10-15 m. The aim of restoration of the river’s arm included the recovery of aquatic habitats and stabilization of the floodplain area in the ecological corridor of the Hron river in the context of the efforts of the European Union (EU) towards strengthening harmonization of the interest of nature and human activities. Restoration of the blind river channel required an integrated approach and cooperation of key stakeholders, Slovak Water Management Enterprise, state owner enterprise and municipality of Rudno nad Hronom. As the areas of the old channels of riverbeds represent an important type of ecosystem, the process of their restoration needs to be planned properly. Planning the process consists of preparing detailed analyses of the current state of the bio-corridor with a focus on analysing the occurrence of vegetation and animal habitats, their combination and interaction. The connection between the ecological landscape and spatial planning leads to maximizing of benefits of the restoration, with the least possible interventions on the natural environment. Such an approach is fundamental regarding the harmonization and ecological connectivity between the natural and anthropogenic environment in the contexts of a sustainable strategy for the management and preservation of ecological corridors. The river’s channels are important ecological corridors of the natural environment of each country not only because of the water supply for adjacent floodplain areas but also because of the slowing down of water outflow from the environment and conservation of the richness of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Revitalization and maintenance of the river flows are essential for the preservation and reconnection of the existing bio-corridors in accordance with the European Green Deal (2019) and help the natural environment in adaptation to occurring climate change.
Gravity Compressed -Air- Hydraulic- Power-Tower Energy Storage Plants
Authors: David Ioan , Stefănescu Camelia
Published: December 2020

In the era of the increasing implementation of renewable energy sources in the electrical energy supply the demand for energy storage continues to grow. This is because the renewable energy sources, mainly in the form of wind and solar energy, are sustainable, but at the same time are subject to natural fluctuations. The wind does not always blow, and the sun does not always shine. Therefore, a stable and reliable power supply is more challenging than ever. It now must regulate fluctuating electricity demand and fluctuating electricity supply. At the same time decentralized energy supply systems based mainly also on PV and wind energy (e.g. as hybrid systems) storage requirement will become a key component of these local electrical energy supply networks especiallyy to balance the energy demand and supply. Among the many storage techniques an important example is the Hydro-Power-Tower an innovative hydraulic energy storage system based on pumped storage technology. Depending on the actual storage method that can be based on gravity (lifting / falling of weight in a vertical underground or above ground Tower), on air compression / decompression or on a combination of both techniques, can be distinguished the following Storage systems, Gravity Hydro Power Tower Storage (GHPTS), Compressed Air Hydro Power Tower Storage (CAHPTS) and Gravity Compressed Air Hydro Power Tower Storage (GCAHPTS).The GHPTS is the classic form of the Hydro Power Tower Storage and is widely discussed in the literature with scientific results and technical applications especially in the last decade. Besides the many advantages of (GHPTS) an important disadvantage is the very high weight and high cost of the tower piston (usually metal) which is the key component for potential energy storage. The storage based on Compressed Air is also widely applied in different storage systems but less so than Power Tower. Regarding the application of compressed air, in the PTS system, some own results are to mention, proposing a replacement possibility of the heavy overload piston of (GHPTES) using a part of the tower as a compressed air reservoir. The present study considers the combination of both storage techniques Gravity and Compressed Air integrated in a so-called Gravity-Compressed-Air-Hydro- Power- Tower - Storage (GCAHPTS). The combined influence of compressed air pressure and high of weight tower piston on the stored energy will be analysed. The obtained results allow the optimal design of such a combined power tower storage system. When the compressed air or high weight piston is missing on obtain GHPTS or CAPTS respectively.
Effects of Cognitive Distraction on Driver’s Stopping Behaviour: A Virtual Car Driving Simulator Study
Authors: Baldo Nicola , Marini Andrea , Miani Matteo
Published: December 2020

Drivers are prone to distractions while driving, due to conversations they have with passengers on board, processing their thoughts or using their mobile phones. These distractions result in a mental workload that compromises driving safety and requires the implementation of risk compensatory behaviours. This study examines the effects of hands-free mobile phone conversations on young drivers’ stopping manoeuvres when a pedestrian enters a zebra crossing. A cohort of seventy-eight university students, aged 20-30 years old, performed a driving task in a virtual urban environment, by means of a virtual car driving simulator. They formed a control and an experimental group, balanced on age and IQ level. The control group was left free to drive without any imposed cognitive task. The experimental group was asked to drive while making a phone call that was planned to diminish the amount of cognitive resources allocated to the driving experience. For both groups, the analyses focused on a specific moment, i.e., while a child suddenly entered a zebra crossing from a sidewalk. Throughout the simulation, the intensity of the participants’ actions on the brake pedal, accelerator, and steering wheel were recorded with a time step of 250 ms. Before the virtual driving experiment, each participant completed a questionnaire on his/her daily driving style, involvement in road accidents, and general mobile phone usage even while driving. A mixed two-way ANOVA with Group as a between-subject factor (1. Control Group; 2. Experimental Group) and Gender (1. Male drivers; 2. Female drivers) as a within-subject factor was performed on the driving parameters as dependent variables. The results showed the presence of a significant difference for distracted and non-distracted drivers with the absence of gender-related differences across the two groups. Participants engaged in a hands-free phone-call while driving assumed lower initial speeds as an element of risk compensation and took the first action to stop at shorter distances from the pedestrian crossing. This suggests a delayed perception of the presence of the pedestrian. In addition, the fluctuation in speed after the distracted driver had released the accelerator pedal reached a statistical significance compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the distraction induced by the use of the mobile phone through the earphones may adversely affect driving behaviour and raise significant safety concerns.
Proposal of Empirical Homogenization of Masonry Wall Made of AAC Masonry Units
Authors: Jasiński Radosław , Grzyb Krzysztof
Published: December 2020

The article presents an own validation procedure of numerical FEM model of masonry wall made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) masonry units. Empirical calibration of masonry’s mechanical parameters was carried out in the standard tests of the compressed and diagonally compressed wall. In the numerical calculations, an elastic-plastic material model with degradation was used. This model in the compression phase uses the Menetrey-William (M-W-3) plasticity surface and in a tensioning state, the Rankine criterion is used. In the first stage, axially compressed walls were analysed. Fracture energy was changed, leaving the remaining parameters unchanged. The relation between the load – vertical and horizontal strains was compared. In the second stage, the calibration involved changing the tensile strength of the wall in diagonally compression test. The relationship between shear stresses and form strain angle was compared. Satisfactory convergence in the range of maximum stresses and significant differences in terms of form strains were obtained. In the third stage, the modulus of elasticity was calibrated, the results of laboratory tests and numerical calculations were compared. The best convergence in terms of maximum tangential stress and scratch morphology was obtained in the model in which the tensile strength was reduced by 80%. The reliability of the proposed validation method was additionally verified on wall models of larger dimensions. The article is a continuation of the author’s considerations regarding the author’s validation method of the FEM masonry model.
Numerical Verification of the Elastic-Plastic Menétrey-William Model (M-W-3) for Masonry Shear Walls Made of Calcium Silicate Masonry Units
Authors: Jasiński Radosław
Published: December 2020

This paper is a continuation of the author’s papers on numerical verification of masonry structures. It describes the proposed method of validating the elastic and plastic Menétrey-Willam model (M-W-3) implemented in the ATENA software. Material parameters of the model were determined from triaxial tests on masonry units. This paper presents a practical use of the calibrated numerical model for stiffening walls. Flat, four-node finite elements (2D model) were used with two degrees of freedom for each node. Simulation covered stiffening walls of various length (l = 4.5 m and 2.25 m), height of 2.45 m, and thickness of 0.18 m. Sequential loading in two stages was performed on walls. Precompression stresses σc of 0.1; 0.75 and 1.5 N/mm2 were applied in the first stage, and walls were exposed to monotonic horizontal shearing in the second stage. Calculations were performed at the plane stress (σ1≠0, σ1≠0, σ3=0). The obtained calculations were compared with results for unreinforced walls made of calcium silicate masonry units tested under the identical initial-boundary conditions. The relationship between shear stress and non-dilatational strain angle and values of cracking and failure stresses were compared. Calculations showed that shear stresses at the time of cracking demonstrated the closest similarity. The biggest differences occurred for deformation at the moment of destruction.
Involving Citizens through Walking: Urban Walks as a Tool for Awareness Raising in Historic Built Areas
Authors: Husar Milan , Ondrejicka Vladimir , Scacchi Micaela
Published: December 2020

Public participation in decision making is a hot topic for spatial planning for many decades. Since 2001, the Aarhus Convention is granting, among others, the public rights for public participation. However, as Arnstein already in 1969 wrote, there are many levels of participation and ever since the publication of her paper scholars as well as practitioners are deliberating various levels and a multitude of tools of how to involve the public, in what stage, up to what depth to make it as effective and efficient as the situation allows. Urban walks present one of the methods of stakeholder involvement in which participants, usually local citizens, are guided through a walk in the site with experts explaining their ideas and collecting remarks from the participants. They offer an opportunity for community engagement and informal discussion on various topics in the decision-making processes, to witness successful examples and innovative tools. They are one of the most appropriate ways for awareness rising among the general public, as they offer in-situ exploration together with face-to-face discussions with professionals who are guiding the walk. The paper examines two case studies of urban walks. Firstly, a set of 8 urban walks taking place within the INTERREG-Central Europe BhENEFIT project aimed at raising awareness and building capacities in the field of sustainable management of historic built areas. Altogether, there were 148 participants in these events, and at the end of the urban walks, they filled in the feedback forms. Responsible partners also prepared detailed reports about all of these events and, together with feedback forms, these are analysed and the results are presented within this paper. Secondly, the paper uses a case study from Rome (Italy) within the Jane’s Walk International Festival presented at the III Biennial of Public Space. The method of urban walks had been selected as a proper way to involve citizens in the project, to help disseminate the project results and make the citizens a part of the decision making in historic built areas in the project pilot sites. The results from the analysed reports give evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method. The paper further on discusses different forms of public involvement for future events and ways how to include the public in the decision-making processes.
Correlation of Sacred Architecture and Painting in Western Ukraine
Authors: Cherkes Bohdan , Diachok Oksana , Panfilova Oleksandra , Tarasiuk Ivan
Published: December 2020

This article highlights some of the results of the scientific work conducted under the direction of the Institute of Architecture and Design of the National University “Lviv Polytechnic” together with the Department of Fine Arts and Design of Ternopil National Pedagogical University, Kremenets Regional Humanities and Pedagogics Academy, Lesia Ukrainka Eastern European National University, Department of Fine Arts. Scientists are exploring sacred arts in Western Ukraine as one of the highest achievements in the work of Ukrainian architects. In particular, the article is about the Ternopil region. The aim of the article is to cover the work of architects of the Ternopil region, correlation in their creativity of architecture and painting; the introduction into the scientific circulation of data on some temples - architectural monuments and modern churches. The territory of Western Ukraine occupies a special place in the cultural and spiritual space of the state. It is located at the crossroads of European roads, has long been noted for its multinational character and wealth of faiths. Temples of different denominations are the decoration of cities and villages and enrich their architectural landscape, and in terms of potential and value of architectural heritage, it is one of the richest regions of Ukraine. One of the spiritual symbols of the city of Ternopil is a temple built in the eighteenth century - a monument of late European Baroque architecture. The building was many times on the verge of destruction; it was burned and destroyed by wars and the communist regime, but with the declaration of independence of Ukraine the shrine was revived. Modern paintings, sculptural groups, stained glass windows and other works of sacred art have transformed the sanctuary into a city beauty, attracting visitors with its grandeur and splendor. Scientists do not often turn to the creative personality of architects. Among the renowned architects of Ukraine, who have designed projects for more than 200 temple complexes, is Ternopil artist Mykhaylo Netrybyak. He combines the work of the architect with the work of the teacher, and the creative nature of the artist is reflected in the paintings. The famous painter of Ternopil with professional architectural education is Mykhaylo Kuziv, who also combines artistic work with pedagogical activity. His works are known far beyond Ukraine and are exhibited in state and public institutions, in private collections of Ukraine and in many countries of the world. Thus, as a result of the research, the data on some contemporary architects and artists of Ternopil region were put into scientific circulation; their role in the process of revival of temple construction of Ukraine is defined; it describes some of the temples – architectural monuments and modern architectural buildings.
Redefinition of prefabricated large panel building systems - face lifting or disruptive revolution
Authors: Cibis Jerzy
Published: December 2020

The notion of “a large panel system (LPS)” means a building system from prefabricated structural elements, concrete slabs, used for the construction of blocks of flats and other buildings. Despite its simple definition, the name evolved over time into an urban, architectural and sociological phenomenon of massive impact changing the character of many European cities for good. It is estimated that nowadays in Europe (excluding the countries of the former Soviet Union) around 41 million inhabitants live in housing estates built from prefabricated panels. The presented elaboration aims to determine a real scale of this issue and provoke a discussion on the basis of undertaken actions - the discussion about the possibilities of stopping the destructive spatial and social processes affecting such areas. On the basis of the above-discussed architectural, urban planning, sociological and technical aspects of the large panel system housing estates and their juxtaposition with competitive contemporary housing estates, an attempt can be made to compare the negative and positive characteristics of these areas. A division into three groups is proposed: 1. Spatial and functional parameters in urban planning, 2. Spatial and functional parameters in architecture, 3. Technical and aesthetic parameters. However, the above-described terms mainly function on the grounds of the downtown (city-centre) building development. Therefore, only by the reference to the revitalization of housing estates do we understand specific areas in degraded housing complexes. Finally, the undertaking of the revitalization actions in the context of large housing developments made with industrial technologies is called ‘the humanization of housing estates’. This term refers to a whole range of works, beginning from the survey of the technical condition, through consultations with the local community, to the selection of solutions in the field of architecture, economics or ecology. On the contrary to the typical modernization, humanization focuses its activities also on the analysis of the collective addressee, their needs and expectations. Humanization of huge housing complexes is coupled with the strive for sustainable development of cities, which has recently become a strategic term in the economies of all developing European countries.
Historical Structures and Technical Heritage on the Elbe-Vltava Waterway
Authors: Fošumpaur Pavel , Horský Martin , Kašpar Tomáš , Králík Martin , Kučerová Jitka , Chvojková Petra Nešvarová , Zukal Milan
Published: December 2020

The paper describes the past development of the Elbe-Vltava waterway (EVW) and focuses on the documentation and presentation of the historical structures which were built for the rivers’ continuous navigability. Modern modifications of the waterway started at the beginning of the 19th century and focused mainly on regulatory work aimed at widening, straightening and deepening the fairway and removing the narrow fairway sections. In 1896, the Commission for Channelling the Vltava and the Elbe Rivers in Bohemia was established. The commission began implementing a plan to canalise the Elbe-Vltava waterway. On the EVW, a cascade of 34 barrages have been built, which are connected by their backwaters and ensure year-round navigability of the Vltava River from the Slapy Dam to the town of Mělník (92 km) and the Elbe River from the town of Chvaletice to the city of Ústí nad Labem (172 km). The last section of the Elbe River between Ústí nad Labem and the border with the Federal Republic of Germany (41 km) has so far been made navigable only by historical regulation works. Barrages on the EVW are typically composed of a weir structure, a navigation lock, a hydroelectric power plant producing renewable energy and a fish pass or sport whitewater canal. Most of these structures were built in the first half of the 20th century and represent a huge and unique technical heritage that still serves its purpose. The development of the EVW objects was documented in detail. The result is a software designed as a computer application with a web interface, which also serves for the presentation of technical heritage using original and modern technologies. Database operations enable the sharing of more information resources by competent organizations in the area of management, operation and maintenance of objects on the EVW. The system contains detailed descriptions of individual objects including their main technical parameters. For all the barrages were also systematically documented archival historical documents, maps, drawing documentation, photo gallery and for the most important barrages a description of the architectural design. The research also focused on mapping the development of regulatory adjustments of the Elbe River based on preserved historical documentation from the 19th and 20th centuries and the first aerial photographs since 1938. The presentation for the general public is complemented by an index of prominent personalities who contributed to the development of the EVW. There is also an explanatory dictionary of technical elements and objects on the EVW, including functional diagrams. Tourist attractions around the waterway are also included in the software.
Art and Design on the Campus of the Silesian University of Technology
Authors: Fross Klaudiusz , Gumińska Anna
Published: December 2020

The aim of the research presented in the publication is a qualitative analysis of elements of small architecture on the campus of a research university of the Silesian University of Technology. The research was carried out during the implementation of the research project entitled: “Art. and Design in Public Space.” As part of the project, further objects are created in the field of education, art and design. Made: 3 Red Cubes - Sight - Influence of geometric solids on the perception of the surrounding space, 4 numbered BenchMan benches, Le Corbusier’s Modulor with graphic information, Kinetic Sculpture. All spatial elements are to draw attention, provoke reflection, present the work of students and employees, and above all, inspire and encourage the use of the design in small architecture. Selected elements are modifiable, portable and can be further created, and the process of creative activities is open and possible to continue. The project is open and has a developmental character. Further spatial elements will be added. The main slogan of the project is: “Change the environment and inspire others.” The main goal of the project is to give “Life in Space”. During use, research is being conducted, including observation of user behavior, the impact of given objects on their users. The main research results are the effects of qualitative research on the changed space. They showed that all the presented spatial elements change the existing space, make them think, inspire, introduce a factor of interest in this space, convey information about space. The creative process in this project is an open activity and enables further transformation and modification of this space. It is also a factor that introduces an element of creativity and attractiveness of space through constant changes and other aesthetic and functional possibilities of space. The most important conclusions include the fact that introducing minor changes to small architecture in public space using art and design gives great results in the form of activating public space, improving aesthetics and functionality.
Reinforcing of Sand With 3D Printed Fibres – Review of Properties, Fabrication of Fibres and Initial Testing Programme
Authors: Chalmovsky Juraj , Koudela Pavel , Mica Lumir
Published: December 2020

Fibre reinforcement is an effective method of soil improvement that presents an alternative solution to other more common methods of ground reinforcement, such as mechanical stabilization by geosynthetics (geogrids, geotextiles, geocomposites, etc.). Research activities in this area are being carried out, but the main disadvantage of currently used fibres is their uniform cross-section and usually smooth surface given by available production methods. This study presents an alternative way of fabrication of synthetic fibres – utilization of fused deposition modelling (3D printing). With the rapid development in commercially available 3D printing techniques, it is now possible to refine the shape and dimensions of the 3D printed objects to a tenth of a millimetre. The review of the basic index and mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced soils is presented in the first part of the paper. The second part is devoted to the description of the production process of fibres including the suitability analysis of materials used for 3D printing. Finally, the initial testing programme of fibre-reinforced non-cohesive soil is presented. The preformed laboratory test confirmed that the inclusion of 3D printed fibres led to a significant increase in shear strength. Examination of samples after tests did not reveal breakage of fibres, thus the fibres pull-out was the governing failure mode.
A Complete Morphodynamic Study to Face a River Engineering Issue
Authors: Bosa Silvia , Petti Marco , Pascolo Sara
Published: December 2020

The last reach of the Tagliamento River, in North East Italy, is progressively changing its planimetric geometry, causing sediment deposition close to a port and preventing the regular navigation in that area. In the present paper, this river engineering issue has been addressed in a complete way, first investigating the cause which brought to the present situation, and then proposing a number of design solution to mitigate the problem. Some of them have been analyzed by means of a morphodynamic numerical model, reproducing the effects on the bottom height of an average year in terms of flow and tides. The results of each simulation are compared to those of the present situation, in order to underline any advantages of the proposed design solution.