Volume 14 (2019): Edition 2 (December 2019)

A general computational model covering many types of frictional contact interfaces between visco-elastic bodies is considered for some cases physically relevant in numerical analysis of contact in civil engineering structures. The relations between mechanical quantities and internal parameters of the model are illustrated in a couple of simplified examples including cohesive contact combined with Coulomb friction and/or interface plasticity. The computations are implemented a semi-implicit time discretisation, quadratic programming algorithms, and the boundary-element method.

The main building material in the past was stone. Geological composition influenced the choice and type of building stone, which was used for the construction of the buildings. In eastern Slovakia sandstone was used in large quantities for its good compressive properties, good workability and aesthetic appearance. Sandstones were used for decorative but mainly construction purposes. The most common problem in historical stone structures is missing waterproofing insulation. Transmission and storage parameters of heat and water of historical materials are needed to assess the moisture condition of buildings and to correctly design measures. In this article are presented researches of sandstones properties abroad and locations of selected sandstones of eastern Slovakia, which were used for construction of historical buildings.

One of the most promising energy sources is solar energy, which is confirmed by the growth in the development of renewable energy for European countries. The main goal of research is to design and implement the latest energy systems for passive buildings using renewable energy. In this paper is documented the optimal operation stages of the solar heat supply system were investigated with recommendations for further development of the design and construction of passive buildings in Ukraine South.

The water shortage issue may put a spotlight over most of the Middle East region and push many nations to re-planning the water resources in various respects. Providing data on water’s economic value assists policymakers make informed decisions regarding water distribution. Additionally, addressing the increasing demand for all uses and building the sustainable future of agricultural and water policies. The purpose of this article is to explore and evaluate the economic value of irrigation water in Sharkia Governorate, regarded one of Egypt’s largest provinces. It also examines how to maximize the economic value of irrigation water, taking into account the self-sufficiency of main crops. Furthermore, consideration has been given to the political demands for the allocation, management and control of water resources. The simulation software Operational, Planning and Distribution Model (OPDM) was used to simulate through the studied province the accessible water distribution and crop yield. Moreover, it is used to judge the impact of irrigation water utilization and to check gross income. Furthermore, from a technical and economic point of perspective, the distinct suggestions were contrasted. The research evaluates the present crop pattern for wheat and cotton attaining a peak economic value of 1.23 EGP/m³ and 0.98 EGP/m³ of irrigation water for wheat and cotton respectively. Moreover, it reaches 0.41 EGP/m³ for rice which considered one of the highest plants in water consumption. Finally, these findings may highlight some strategic crops future development.

Phenomenon of today′s era is lowering overall energy performance and greenhouse gas emissions. European Union and its members came from an “uncontrollable” fossil fuel usage to an era of dependence reduction from fossil fuel usage. EU industry is now in era of utilizing renewable energy sources. Construction industry is responsible for 40% of total energy performance of EU; hence the great emphasis on energy effective design on new buildings as well as importance on energy effective renovation of already constructed buildings. Effort on lowering total energy performance in construction industry has signed on research on new project solutions, new insulation materials and new building services technologies which are maximizing energy gain from renewable energy sources. Simulation software and different engines are more than helpful tool when predicting building thermal behaviour. That is why simulation software is used more often in the process of designing energy efficient buildings or in the process of energy performance optimization of existing buildings. simulation and analytics itself, is dealing with simulation of chosen buildings (family houses) on heating demand based on the newest knowledge of constructions and materials. Results of heating demands of different family houses were confronted against heating demands calculated according national standards – using non-variable conditions. Next, the differences between two calculation approaches were characterized in percentages.

The research investigated changes in post fire density and strength properties of Nigerian wood species used for construction. The selected species are: Terminalia superba (Afara), Milicia excels (Iroko), Nauclea diderrichii (Opepe), Khaya ivorensis (Mahogany), Mansonia altissima (Mansonia), Tectona grandis (Teak). Densities and strength properties of the species were determined at Moisture Contents (MC) of 9.0, 12.0, and 15.0%. Species were exposed to fire at various temperature ranges. The results revealed that at 9, 12 and 15%MC, Opepe had the highest density values of 630±28.85kg/m³, 686±22.64kg/m³ and 752±17.22 kg/m³ respectively. At 9%MC, Mahogany had the lowest density (439±10.58kg/m³) while at 12 and 15%MC, Afara had the lowest density values of 444±4.18kg/m³ and 469±7.07kg/m³ respectively. Post fire exposure revealed that Afara had the highest percentage loss in density 29.2% and strength properties, while both Iroko and Mahogany exhibited the lowest percentage loss in both density and strength properties.

Ground anchors are devices used in many types of structures (on shore and offshore constructions); they can be oriented at different inclinations. Their roles are to resist tensile forces, stabilize and restrain the movement of engineered structure. The objective of this study is to propose a model which represents the mechanism of rupture of homogeneous soil (granular medium) around a single inclined ground anchor when it is tensioned and the determination of the collapse load thanks of the theory of limit analysis based on the kinematic approach in the case of criterion of Mohr-Coulomb taking into account of the mobilization of the soil in abutment in reaction to the loading.

When placing buildings in a landscape environment, the urban and architectural design of the building must be in harmony with the surrounding environment. The environmental criterion in assessing the sustainability of buildings and the subsequent environmental certification of buildings is the construction site selection in terms of its ecological importance. The way to determine the ecological value of a territory is through the determination of the landscape’s ecological stability, which can be considered as a basis for assessing all conditions and assumptions of land use. Maintaining ecological stability on Earth is a prerequisite for sustainable development and is of long-term strategic importance for the development of society.

The contribution is focused on the evaluation of ecological stability in relation to sustainable construction in the cadastral area of the village Vajkovce, located in the district of Košice-okolie (surrounding). The ecological stability of the territory is evaluated by several methods used in the assessment of the landscape ecological stability and their modifications expressed by the coefficient of ecological stability. The results indicate that the territory of the municipality of Vajkovce is one of the ecologically unstable areas and therefore appropriate measures were proposed to increase its ecological stability.

This study investigated the suitability of pulverized snail shell (PSS) as partial replacement of cement stabilized soil in foundation constructions. Preliminary and engineering tests were carried out on the soil samples. The optimum cement content fixed at 11% in correlation to Unified Soil Classification System, the PSS was introduced at varying percentages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. Results revealed that, addition of PSS and 11% cement to lateritic soil caused a reduction in both liquid limits and plasticity index and an increased in plastic limits for all samples. Engineering tests showed the maximum dry density at optimum cement increased from 1493.34 ± 103.58 kg.m⁻³ to 1632 ± 435.81 kg.m⁻³ for sample A; 1476.77 ± 367.51 kg.m⁻³ to 1668 ± 202.58 kg.m⁻³ for sample B; 1460.77 ± 623.58 kg.m⁻³ to 1651 ± 135.45 kg.m⁻³ for sample C. The CBR recorded highest value at 4%PSS optimum cement for all samples. The addition of pulverized snail shell increased the strength of cement stabilized lateritic soil for structural foundation construction.

This paper describes the evaluation of the measured data from the turnout wear in relation to material from which the frogs are made. The evaluation consists in comparing the measured results with the data provided by the manager of these turnouts.

The theoretical overview serves as a basis for the design of a separate adaptive glass system. An overview of current directions is processed, which reflects the actual user requirements in relation to the thermal comfort. The concept is based on knowledge and practical experience in the field of progressive glass systems today. It uses formulated shortcomings as a tool for their elimination in the further development of the future concept. It is based on the customization of the glass system as a means of achieving the optimal temperature state of the indoor environment in order to eliminate the additional need for cooling and heat for heating buildings.

The paper provides information on the solution of project supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of VEGA of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of Slovak Republic and of the Slovak Academy of Sciences of Slovak Republic. There is project: VEGA 1/0674/18. This research project is programmed for the years 2018 to 2021. In this paper are presented information on the results obtained in 2019, solution of this project objectives and project solution. The results are presented in realized publications. We focused mainly on the presentation of major publications, articles in domestic and foreign journals, articles in conference proceedings with an emphasis on publications that are indexed in the WOS and SCOPUS databases.