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The problem of landslides is one of the greatest challenges in geohazard research. Due to their unpredictability, and complicated genesis, their detailed and accurate observation is necessary. Despite many studies on the subject, a general scheme for their recognition has still not been developed. An additional, and important fact that has recently been observed is the impact of the current state of the climate, and the human response to it. In the presented research results, an example where anthropogenic factors can have a significant impact on the evolution of a creeping landslide is described. As a result of changes in precipitation over years, artificial snowmaking is necessary to extend and even maintain the ski season on ski slopes and results in the unique characteristics of those landslides. In this presentation we shows the results of 4 years of geophysical observations, integrating multiple methods from geophysical imaging and remote sensing to determine the characteristics of the landslide, its changes and potential danger. The methods used, such as passive seismological monitoring, seismic tomography, electrical resistivity tomography, reflection imaging, terrestrial laser scanning and electromagnetic slingram in a time-lapse scheme allowed us to obtain an image of a temporally and spatially variable structure with remarkable accuracy. Additionally, there were also made an AMT profile with deep recognition range. The results obtained and their joint interpretation can serve as a reference in the study of similar landslide cases, where anthropogenic and climatic factors can significantly impact the evolution of such phenomena.This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland (NCN), grant number 2020/37/N/ST10/01486.

The aim of this study was to develop an innovative, dual-stimuli-responsive smart hydrogel local drug delivery system (LDDS), potentially useful as an injectable simultaneous chemotherapy and magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) antitumor treatment device. The hydrogels were based on a biocompatible and biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone-co-rac-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-rac-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA, PCLA) triblock copolymer, synthesized via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) in the presence of a zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)4) catalyst. The PCLA copolymers were successfully synthesized and characterized using NMR and GPC techniques. Furthermore, the gel-forming and rheological properties of the resulting hydrogels were thoroughly investigated, and the optimal synthesis conditions were determined. The coprecipitation method was applied to create magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) with a low diameter and a narrow size distribution. The magnetic properties of the MIONs were close to superparamagnetic upon TEM, DLS, and VSM analysis. The particle suspension placed in an alternating magnetic field (AMF) of the appropriate parameters showed a rapid increase in temperature to the values desired for hyperthermia. The MIONs/hydrogel matrices were evaluated for paclitaxel (PTX) release in vitro. The release was prolonged and well controlled, displaying close to zero-order kinetics; the drug release mechanism was found to be anomalous. Furthermore, it was found that the simulated hyperthermia conditions had no effect on the release kinetics. As a result, the synthesized smart hydrogels were discovered to be a promising antitumor LDDS, allowing simultaneous chemotherapy and hyperthermia treatment.

Solution pipes are an important geomorphological feature in carbonate rocks formed by the host rock’s dissolution due to water’s focused flow, indicating the phenomena of water focusing in particular areas. However, their visual exposures are often limited by sediment and vegetation cover, making it challenging to understand their spatial distribution and morphology. In this study, we used geophysical methods such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometer to detect and estimate the spatial distribution of solution pipes in a freshly exposed quarry site in Smerdyna, Poland. Our results indicate that both GPR and magnetometric measurements effectively detect most of the solution pipes, particularly those filled with large amounts of clay and silt particles. The GPR method, in particular, proved to be convenient due to the high contrast of the dielectric constant. The information on the positions and shapes of the pipes obtained based on these methods is crucial in understanding the link between pipe morphology and the physical conditions at the time of their formation. Furthermore, our measurements provided quasi-spatial correlations between pipe positions, the distribution of inter-pipe distances, and the potential relationship between alignments of rock joints and pipe locations. Our study demonstrates the potential of geophysical methods in detecting and understanding solution pipes, which are essential from environmental and climatic perspectives. This information can be used for future studies on pipe formation and environmental impact.

In the last few years, a very wide range of oligocarbonate diols, oligomers of carbonic acid esters terminated on both sides with hydroxyl groups, have appeared on the chemical market. They are mainly used for the production of flexible segments in precious grades of polyurethanes used in biomedical engineering. Poly(carbonate-urethane) due to high resistance to oxidizing and hydrolytic agents is also an attractive material for the production of adhesives and coatings with increased resistance to weather conditions. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the methods of synthesis and main producers of oligomerols with carbonate groups, methods of poly(carbonate-urethane) synthesis and examples of its commercial applications.

Advances in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) have enabled the precise design and preparation of nanostructured polymeric materials for a variety of biomedical applications. This paper briefly summarizes recent developments in the synthesis of bio-therapeutics for drug delivery based on linear and branched block copolymers and bioconjugates using ATRP, which have been tested in drug delivery systems (DDSs) over the past decade. An important trend is the rapid development of a number of smart DDSs that can release bioactive materials in response to certain external stimuli, either physical (e.g., light, ultrasound, or temperature) or chemical factors (e.g., changes in pH values and/or environmental redox potential). The use of ATRPs in the synthesis of polymeric bioconjugates containing drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids, as well as systems applied in combination therapies, has also received considerable attention.

An in-flight coalescence reactive inkjet printer has been developed to facilitate the in-air collision of two reactive microdroplets. This way precise volumes of reactive inks can be mixed and subsequently deposited on the substrate to produce the desired product by polymer synthesis and patterning in a single step. In this work, we validate the printer capabilities by fabrication of a series of 3D structures using an aliphatic polyurea system (isophorone diisocyanate IPDI and poly(propylene glycol) bis(2-aminopropyl ether) PEA-400). The influence of temperature and ink ratio on the material properties has been investigated. An increase in both IPDI and temperature facilitates the production of materials with higher Young's Modulus

In this paper, injectable, thermosensitive smart hydrogel local drug delivery systems (LDDSs) releasing the model antitumour drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were developed. The systems were based on biodegradable triblock copolymers synthesized via ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)4), as co-initiator and catalyst, respectively. The structure, molecular weight (Mn) and molecular weight distribution (Đ) of the synthesized materials was studied in detail using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques, the optimal synthesis conditions were determined. The structure corresponded well to the theoretical assumptions. The produced hydrogels demonstrated a sharp sol–gel transition at temperature close to physiological value, forming a stable gel with good mechanical properties at 37 °C. The kinetics and mechanism of in vitro 5-FU release were characterized by zero order, first order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas mathematical models. The obtained results indicate good release control, the kinetics were generally defined as first order according to the predominant diffusion mechanism, and the total drug release time was approximately 12 h. The copolymers were considered to be biodegradable and non-toxic, the resulting hydrogels appear to be promising as short-term LDDSs, potentially useful in antitumor therapy.

In the presented paper, two basic strategies that can be used in the processes of chemical recycling of polyester material were described. The first of them involves increasing the molar mass of recycled materials in the solid-state polycondensation (SSP) process and/or joining their chains with various types of substances easily reacting with the end groups of polyesters (so-called extending agents). The essence of the second strategy is the degradation of the material under the influence of various protogenic agents (such as water, alcohols, glycols and amines) to obtain low-molecular products or oligomers that can be used as raw materials in the synthesis of many classes of polymers. The methods that are already used in PET [poly(ethylene terephthalate)] recycling and the possibility of their extension to other types of polyesters are both shown.

In the age of mobile electronics and increased aerospace interest, multifunctional materials such as the polymer composites reported here are interesting alternatives to conventional materials, offering reduced cost and size of an electrical device packaging. We report a detailed study of an ecological and dual-functional polymer composite for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and heat management applications. We studied a series of polylactic acid/graphene nanoplatelet composites with six graphene nanoplatelet loadings, up to 15 wt%, and three different flake lateral sizes (0.2, 5 and 25 μm). The multifunctionality of the composites is realized via high EMI shielding efficiency exceeding 40 dB per 1 mm thick sample and thermal conductivity of 1.72 W/mK at 15 wt% nanofiller loading. The EMI shielding efficiency measurements were conducted in the microwave range between 0.2 to 12 GHz, consisting of the highly relevant X-band (8–12 GHz). Additionally, we investigate the influence of the nanofiller lateral size on the studied physical properties to optimize the studied functionalities per given nanofiller loading.

Badania geofizyczne dostarczają przestrzennych informacji o zmienności ośrodka gruntowo-skalnego. Wyniki zastosowania tych metod, także archiwalne, warto wykorzystywać w prowadzonych hydrogeologicznych pracach dokumentacyjnych. Takim przykładem są zrealizowane badania rozpoznawcze w miejscowości Łobodno w północno-zachodniej części Wyżyny Śląsko-Krakowskiej zlokalizowanej w granicach GZWP nr 326 Częstochowa (E). Przeprowadzone tam pionowe sondowania elektrooporowe, korelowane z profilami wierceń umożliwiły m.in.: (i) zwiększenie głębokości rozpoznania z ok. 70 do 100–150 m p.p.t. obejmując czwartorzędowe grunty gliniasto-piaszczyste przykrywające górnojurajski kompleks wapieni zalegających na środkowojurajskich iłach i marglach, (ii) identyfikację głębokości zalegania różnych utworów gruntowo-skalnych wraz z określeniem reliefu ich stropu, (iii) wskazanie zmienności litologiczno-strukturalnej w obrębie tych samych wydzieleń, (iv) lokalizację większych dyslokacji, (v) dokładniejsze opisanie warunków przepływu wód podziemnych.

In the presented case study, the authors applied the multimethod approach utilising geophysical imaging with estimated uncertainty to the landslide in Cisiec, southwest Poland. Application of multiple geophysical methods such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), refraction seismic method , ray-based seismic tomography , and reflection imaging was aimed at obtaining a detailed and high-resolution image of the subsurface. Drone-based digital terrain models (DTM) supported the subsurface imaging by providing a detailed view of the landslide surface. Accurate GPS-based geodesy conducted during data gathering was used to complete information about the topography of the area and correlate the results of geophysical surveys . The combination and transfer of information between methods allow solving multiple reflection imaging problems, especially lack of borehole information. The final result presents the detailed geophysical images of the landslide with a recognized depth of main slip surface ranging from 16 to 36 m. Because the study site is used as a ski slope, detailed information about the landslide structure is needed to provide safety for nearby construction. The methodology proposed in this paper can be used in similar case studies, where fast and cost-effective recognition of a landslide is required.

The presented work was realized within the framework of the AQUILO project, aiming in creating the base of knowledge for prospective future investments in offshore wind energy on Baltic Sea. The presented part of the work is focused on the experimental validation of numerical method of evaluation of the wave-induced forces on the bottom-mounted support structure of the offshore wind turbine. The experimental setup and measurement equipment, including in-house developed 6-DOF (six degree of freedom) dynamometer, are described. As a result, comparison of performance of different methods of evaluation of wave loads for wide range of parameters is presented. The results of experiments and numerical analyses are fairly consistent; largest discrepancy occurred at lowest wave frequencies, i.e. largest wave lengths. This may result from increased relative error of measurements for very long waves in relatively short tank.

Three-arm polylactides (PLA) containing 0.2, 7.6, and 13% of d-lactic acid monomeric units were obtained and refunctionalized into ATRP macroinitiators via esterification of hydroxyl groups with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. These polymeric matrices underwent enzymatic degradation with various rates and revealed negative results on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests. Camptothecin (CPT), which is an anticancer active substance, was transformed into acrylic monomers; however, simple CPT acrylate was not able to polymerization whereas methacrylate with a linker was ready for FRP and ATRP. The latter monomer was used for ATRP initiated with various PLA macroinitiators in order to form block copolymer conjugates of CPT with high load of drug. Based on kinetic studies at various temperatures, it was found out that the polymerization stopped at certain monomer conversion because of the ceiling temperature. The content of CPT in these conjugates was estimated by means of 1H NMR, quadruple detection array GPC, and e...

W artykule przedstawiono studium przypadku oceny stateczności zbocza zlokalizowanego w południowej Polsce, w obszarze o skomplikowanej budowie geologicznej. Zaproponowano wieloetapową metodologię oceny stateczności zbocza. Zastosowane komplementarne techniki badawcze pozwoliły uzyskać dokładną i rzetelną ocenę stateczności analizowanego zbocza, a przedstawiona wieloetapowa procedura analizy uwarunkowań stateczności umożliwiła uwzględnienie różnych cech i mechanizmów destabilizujących stan równowagi, co pozwala na prognozowanie kierunków zagospodarowania przestrzennego.

The article presents the results of experimental research on a heat exchanger type heat pipe for the range of 15 ÷ 50 °C lower source temperature. The emergence of processes occurring inside and related to their work is essential mainly in the era of achieve to demote heat losses and keep off unnecessary dissipation of energy. The need to conduct investigation and studies of heat pipes is also conditioned by the require to rescue primary energy in both construction engineering and manufacture. This work contain the effect of research on a real HEX, a heat pipe made of copper, 1769 mm long, 18 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick wall. This research consisted of placing a heat tube in a tube-type heat exchanger in a pipe in order to supply and collect heat to and from the heat pipe. Previous studies on a heat tube with vacuum and air inside showed that there is a negligible heat flux transmitted through the walls of the heat pipe along its axis. When filling the tube with R404A and R407C, there is a significant increase in the heat flux received and passed through the heat pipe. In addition, the work presents the results of the performed thermographic analysis for the studied working factors.

Near surface geophysical methods, specifically electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and ground penetrating radar (GPR), were used to evaluate anthropogenic transformation in the Marki area, near Warsaw, Poland. Anthropogenic transformation in this region is indicated by the gradual filling of excavation voids in varved clays with various kinds of waste (both municipal and industrial). The S8 Marki bypass expressway was designed to pass through such an area. Recreating the bottom relief of the excavated varved clays, and reliably estimating the degree of anthropogenic transformation would be difficult if only traditional, standard geological engineering investigations were applied. Electrical resistivity is a parameter, which reflects the diverse properties of the geological media. When calibrated with drill hole data, the resistivity enabled the accurate determination of the base of the anthropogenic soil. The GPR method, in contrast, was only useful to a limited extent, because of the high attenuation of electromagnetic waves in most of the deposited man-made soils. From the analysis of the completed surveys, a two-dimensional image of the subsurface ground structure, reflecting the anthropogenic impact on the environment, was obtained. This image was the basis for the development of the schematic model of the geological setting after human interference. The methodologies applied allowed us to interpret the spatial distribution of the different soils, including the anthropogenic soils of low bearing capacity and the probable connection between two aquifers. This information will be crucial for the construction of safe and economic foundations for structures such as roads.

The paper is aiming to determinate the extent of the north eastern arm of Kozłowicka buried valley on the grounds of own re search by means of electrical resistivity tomography- ERT and avail able archival researches. On the Hydro-geological map of Poland, Żyrardów sheet (Felter and Nowicki, 1998a, b) Kozłowicka buried valley was differentiated as an individual hydro-geological unit. The results of the anal y sis show that the ex tent of the structure, defined by its up per boundary, differs significantly from the one suggested on the sheet of Hydrogeological map of Poland. Since there was no data avail able in the north eastern part of the dis cussed arm of Kozłowicka buried valley, the northern boundary was defined only based on avail able geoelectrical sounding profiles (Czerwiñska, 1988; Topolewska, 2015). In order to confirm suggested solution, geoelectrical re search by means of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was con ducted. The measurements were per formed along 3 pro files located in the area of interest. The authors would like to point out the need of the us age of ERT in map ping and studying buried structures that might be ground water reservoirs. As a result, one obtains quasi-continuous image of electrical resistivity of the subsurface. Due to the contrast of electrical properties of sediments, it is possible to determine upper and bottom surfaces of buried structures, formed within glacial deposits.

The paper presents the results of numerical simulations of ship propeller operation bearing the name of Propeller Open Water (POW) Tests. The object of tests was a sample ship propeller (PPTC1), the geometrical and kinematic data of which are available, along with the results of model tests, on the official page of the research centre involved in the measurements. The research aimed at verifying the correctness of results of numerical simulations performed in the model and real scale. The results of numerical analyses performed in the model scale were confronted with those measured in the experiment. Then, making use of dimensionless coefficients which characterise propeller’s operation, the recorded model data were extrapolated to real conditions and compared with corresponding results of simulations. Both the numerical simulations and the experimental research were performed for the same propeller load states. The reported research is in line with other activities which aim at developing advanced numerical methods to support the process of ship propeller designing.

A newly recognized Mnin restraining stepover is identified in the Permo-Mesozoic cover of the western part of the Late Palaeozoic Holy Cross Mountains Fold Belt (Poland), within a fault pattern consisting of dextral strike-slip faults. The formation of a large contractional structure at the Late Cretaceous – Cenozoic transition displays the significant role of strike-slip faulting along the western border of the Teisseyre-Tornquist Zone, in the foreland of the Polish part of the Carpathian Orogen. Theoretical relationships between the maximum fault offsets/ mean step length, as well as between the maximum fault offsets/mean step width allowed the estimation of the values of possible offsets along the Snochowice and Mieczyn faults forming the Mnin stepover. The estimated values suggest displacements of as much as several tens of kilometres. The observed offset along the Tokarnia Fault and theoretical calculations suggest that the strike-slip faults west of the Late Palaeozoic Holy Cross Mountains Fold Belt belong to a large strike-slip fault system. We postulate that the observed significant refraction of the faults forming the anastomosing fault pattern is related also to the interaction of the NW-SE-striking faults formed along the western border of the Teisseyre- Tornquist Zone and the reactivated WNW-ESE-striking faults belonging to the fault systems of the northern margin of the Tethys Ocean.

The standard propeller has been investigated in model scale, using medium size cavitation tunnel. The hydroacoustic characteristics of propellers under different loading conditions have been investigated. Additionally the presented experimental results have been used for the verification of applied numerical approach. During both numerical and experimental analyses non-uniform inflow propeller’s conditions have been adapted. Good correlations of both kinds of results have been noticed and highlighted.

An efficient synthesis strategy of a well-defined polylactide&ndash, dye conjugate in a controlled fashion is presented. The introduction of coloring species as end groups of polylactide (PLA) has been performed by using new homoleptic aminophenolate magnesium or zinc coordination compounds. The molecular structure of metal complexes has been determined in solution by NMR spectroscopy, and in the solid state by X-ray analysis. Lastingly colored polymers were obtained with 2-[4-(Nitrophenylazo)-N-ethylphenylamino]ethanol (Disperse Red 1) and 2-[4-(2-Chloro-4-nitrophenylazo)-N-ethylphenylamino]ethanol (Disperse Red 13) at very high lactide conversions, based on MALDI-ToF measurement, and the macromolecules were nearly fully chain end dye-functionalized. Based on 1H NMR, the DPn of conjugates was in the range of 10&ndash, 300, which was consistent with the reaction setup. Various methods of gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis were applied, and they demonstrated that the number-average molar mass (Mn) values (polystyrene (PS) standards) were a bit higher than calculated, the molar mass distribution index (ƉM) values were moderate to high, the TDA (triple detection array) system was inappropriate for analysis, measurements with PDA (photo diode array) detection at 470 nm gave nearly the same molar mass distributions such as the refractometer, and the relative absorbance of conjugates at 470 nm increased linearly versus (DPn)&minus, 1. The presented approach connects the gap between the current strategy of obtaining colored polymer fibers and the design of tailor-made initiators with eco polyesters designed for the targeted applications.

A ground penetrating radar has been used to estimate the depth of groundwater table. The GPR measurements were conducted on esker deposits along the same profile and repeated five times during the year in autumn, spring, two times in summer and again in autumn. A shielded transmitting antenna with a nominal frequency of 250 MHz was used during the surveys. The accuracy of ground penetrating radar measurements to estimate the depth of groundwater occurrence is discussed in this paper. The results of estimation of groundwater table from GPR is compared with the level of groundwater table measured in piezometer.

The Dry Moat is one of the most impressive and at the same time puzzling architectonic structure preserved within the famous royal necropolis at Saqqara, Egypt. It is a rock-hewn ditch about 40 m wide and of variable depth, which surrounds the Step Pyramid complex built by Pharaoh Djoser from the Third Dynasty which was the first monumental structure totally built of stone blocks in human history. The function and intention of the Dry Moat remained unknown prior to this study and was unique in the Old Kingdom (ca. 4600–4200 BP). The main focus of the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey conducted in 2012 was recognizing the course of the western section of the Dry Moat and determining the geometry of this structure. The GPR survey confirmed the effectiveness of the GPR method and determined that this vast architectural structure is a ditch surrounding the Step Pyramid. The western section of the Dry Moat was found to have a different geometry than previously thought. The stratigraphy of the infilling beds suggests that it is deeper in the western part than in the eastern one. In the light of conducted GPR prospection it seems likely that the Dry Moat served originally as the huge quarry for material used for construction of the Step Pyramid. It may have also had a secondary function that was purely religious in nature, as has been suggested by some scholars. The Dry Moat seems to be a unique stone work without any known analogies from ancient Egypt. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article presents the experimental results of a heat pipe heat exchanger for the lower temperature range of 15–50 °C. It is worth noting that the heat pipes, thanks to the wide temperature range and high efficiency, can soon be used in building engineering. Recognizing the processes taking place in their interior and their work is essential especially in the era of striving to reduce heat loss and avoid unnecessary energy dissipation. The goal of this work was to carry out research and analysis of heat pipes and process condition by the need to save primary energy in both civil engineering and industry. The results show the effects of phase changes for the R134A refrigerant as well as the effect of its amount on the heat and power of the heat pipe. One of the main objectives of the study is to analyze the efficiency of heat pipes for different amounts of working fluid at different temperatures in both the evaporator section (heat delivery) and the condenser section (heat transfer). The paper presents the results of research on real heat exchanger made from copper 1769 mm tube, 18 mm diameter and 1 mm wall thickness. The study involved placing a heat pipe in a tube heat exchanger in a tube to deliver and receive heat to and from a heat pipe.

Biomass of agricultural origin has the biggest potential from all kind of renewable energy sources in Poland because it provide continuous electricity generation, and is the only widespread source of renewable heat. In this paper an installation with a batch reactor was used to conductor experimental tests on three different energy plants by means of the torrefaction process: willow, Pennsylvanian mallow, and Jerusalem artichokes. Those energy plants were growing ion low-grade soils, which are abundant in Poland. Torrefaction or simply roasting of biomass is a thermal degradation of biomass structures by heating it a inert gas atmosphere like nitrogen under atmospheric pressure. This process removes low weight organic volatile components and moisture as well as depolymerises the long polysaccharide chains of biomass. To build up a demonstration plant for torrefaction process of energy crops plants the information concerning the specific temperature of caring the carbonization process for specific type of fuel and residence time should be provided in order to obtain the best C/H ratio in fuel, which is responsible for High Heating Value, carbonization level and best physico-chemical properties as a new fuel for energy production.

The aim of the present work was the synthesis and study the kinetics and profiles of camptothecin (CPT) release form block co- and ter-polymer conjugates comprising polylactide (PLA) segments and CPT moieties, structurally diverse by degrees of branching, content of d -PLA units and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA). Six PLA, non-toxic macroinitiators (MIs), terminated with α-bromoester were synthesized. MIs were subjected to polymerization of CPT methacrylic derivative (CPTMA) with PEGMA at various ratios. The average contents of CPT from elemental analysis, NMR and UV-GPC were approximate to each other. The number of CPT molecules and PEGMA units was in the range of 9–195 and 0–280 per conjugate, respectively. PEGMA units plasticized PLA causing increase of its crystallinity, whereas 7% and more of d -PLA caused material amorphous. PEGMA units decreased thermal stability of conjugates, however it compatibillized the separated phases of PLA and PCPTMA, based on AFM. In vitro release rate of CPT from linear PLA conjugates deposited on injection-molded PLA bars increased by introduction of PEGMA units with zero-order kinetics and Korsmeyer–Peppas model indicating the super case II transport. Branched conjugates revealed some burst release and then the release was rather of first-order-kinetics with respect to CPT with non-Fickian transport.

Geological and geotechnical engineering field tests, like structure drillings and dynamic (DPL, DPSH) or static probing (CPT), are considered for a fundamental source of information about soil and water environments. Since Eurocode 7 has been introduced, it has become more common to use also dilatometers (DMT) or pressure meters (PMT). Results obtained using all the mentioned tests are always of a discrete nature - information is provided in certain points in the field. However, they determine the basis for creating spatial models of geological structure and geotechnical condi- tions of a substratum. The range and number of investigations conducted (including drilling, probing and laboratory tests) influence precision, in which a geological structure is identified and thus, also affect probability of compatibility between spatial model and real geological conditions of a substratum. In the paper, results of non-invasive electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method are presented, comprising 2-dimensional image of a soil medium resistance. Electrical resistance is a parameter that reflects diversification of a soil medium, considering its lithological aspect. In addition, when combined with drilling results, it can be used to accurate determination of boundaries between soil layers. Carrying out of ERT tests in the field during expressway construction contributed to identification of weak, low-strength soils like organic soils (peat, aggradated mud) and of soft consistency cohesive soils. These kinds of soil are the main cause for unacceptable deformations appearing in the new road engineering structure.

This paper presents the preliminary results of ground penetrating radar sounding applied at the desert archaeological site in Saqqara (Egypt). The survey was carried out in 2012 within a project realized by Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw and the Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw. One of the key aims of the research was testing the application of ground penetrating radar to non-invasive surveys of desert archaeological sites. Radargrams obtained for area of so called the Dry Moat channel surrounding the Step Pyramid complex have shown the geological structure of its filling. It comprises among others debris-sand conglomerate of diluval origin characterized by a significant content of the clay fraction and clay minerals. Such lithological content strongly attenuate the propagation of EM waves, restricting the depth range of the GPR survey. The conducted geophysical prospection west to the Step Pyramid in Saqqara has confirmed the high applicability of the GPR method in non-invasive studies of vast architectural structures, such as the monumental ditch surrounding the Step Pyramid known as the Dry Moat. It should summarised that high horizontal resolution obtained during GPR survey is a result of local geological structure of the searched area, i.e. strong lithological contrast of the sediments filling the Dry Moat, which, depending on their mineralogical composition

International audience; Electrical resistivity measurements provide potentially powerful tool for estimation of physical parameters of soils and materials used in earthworks and constructions like embankments and dams. The study demonstrates the correlation between the resistivity of non-cohesive soils and the degree of compaction, which is an indicator of important and possibly risks bearing hydraulic piping or tunneling. In this paper we investigate the relationship between electrical resistivity of non-cohesive soils and granulated materials used in earth-works and constructions such as road embankments, and degree of compaction. Laboratory analyses of the last parameter are time consuming and estimated using parameters such as moisture content, bulk density and porosity, the same parameters (mostly obviously porosity and moisture content and including pore water mineralization) determine electrical resistivity. In consequence, electrical resistivity is a potentially well adapted alternative method for determination of the degree of compaction. To investigate the problem, electrical resistivity survey was conducted in a laboratory using soil samples representing fine, medium and coarse sands, submitted to successive steps of compaction. The measurements were carried out in the box, which may be compared with the construction such as an embankment. Obtained resistivity values were analyzed taking into consideration electrode spacing and the physical parameters of soil at each step of compaction.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys and sedimentological outcrop analyses were combined in order to determine the reflection patterns and internal architecture of terrace deposits of the Vistula River at Kępa Zawadowska in the southern part of Warsaw (central Poland). The sedimentary analyses concerned the granulometric composition and lithofacies analysis. The 34 GPR profiles, which were obtained in two outcrops, using a Malå RAMAC/GPR system with 500-MHz and 250-MHz shielded antennas, were up to 100 m long. The most characteristic ground-penetrating radar profiles are presented; they show a high-resolution data set of radar facies. The GPR data suggest the presence of three geophysically different units, namely with high-angle inclined reflections (radar facies 1), with discontinuous undulating or trough-shaped reflections (radar facies 2), and with low-angle reflections (radar facies 3). The internal structure of the fluvial deposits was obtained by integration of the GPR and sedimentological data, which combination provides a more accurate visualisation of sedimentary units than do reconstructions that are based only on standard lithologic point data.

Complex studies were carried out to recognize the fen structure and peat properties in the Calowanie Fen area, belonging to the Natura 2000 network. The studies were conducted in two study areas that differ significantly in terms of peat thickness. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) was used to identify the properties of the peat and its substrate, such as thickness and electrical resistivity. Comparison of the field studies with the laboratory tests has shown that the ash content rises electrical resistivity in peat. In addition, the study has shown that the application of non-invasive geophysical methods in protected areas is justified. The fen, as a medium containing mostly water, was a proper test area for the ERI measurements.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) investigations were conducted in order to characterize the reflection patterns and internal architecture of Vistula River point bars. The study area is situated in the south part of Warsaw (Central Poland), in the Nature Reserve Świderskie Islands, where fluvial deposits were well accessible due to an unusually low water level in the Vistula River. Ground Penetrating Radar is a non-invasive tool that facilitates easy and quick investigations of subsurface sediments. The study was based on 7 GPR profiles taken on the largest and most accessible point bar. All profiles were collected using ProEx Malâ GPR system with 250 MHz shielded antenna. In this paper characteristic Ground Penetrating Radar profiles are presented, to show the internal architecture of fluvial deposits. Interpretation of selected GPR profiles showed the presence of erosional surfaces and cut-in channels within the investigated point bar.

Engine intake systems should be carefully designed to provide a uniform flow to all cylinders. The current note presents the initial phase of the redesign process of an intake manifold of a four cylinder aircraft IC engine. By means of computational fluid dynamics analysis, the deficiency of the initial design in splitting the air flow among the runners is discovered, and an improvement of the original design is proposed. It is shown that a significant improvement in the flow distribution can be achieved by an appropriately installed guide vane, whereas the flow split is observed to be very sensitive to the geometry of the guide vane, necessitating a very careful design.

Obtaining the reliable values of filtration – consolidation parameters depends on appropriate programming of load velocity. In the paper a critical assessment of the criteria for selecting the load velocity with regard to theoretical model of consolidation under constant rate of load (CRL) was presented. A key element of interpretation is to distinguish three stages of investigation: mobilization of pore pressure, steady phase and unsteady phase. Reliable values of filtration – consolidation parameters are obtained during steady phase, determined on the basis of dimensionless, standardized for CRL tests parameters: the pore pressure and relative time of consolidation CL (continuous loading). In order to assess trends in changes of filtration – consolidation properties of Krakowiec formation clays were chosen for investigations. The tests were performed on undisturbed samples and using soil pastes at different load velocities to propose method to choose appropriate test speed in CL tests