The paper presents the history of scientific and educational system development at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Warsaw University of Life Sciences in the field of technical disciplines, from land reclamation to civil engineering. It was described how the organizational structure of departments of the Faculty was changing in time. Conducting teaching and research staff development and research activities in the discipline civil engineering were also discussed. The professional profiles of the founders, leaders and number of other distinguished civil engineering scientists, who have been successfully leading the Faculty for the last 70 years, were presented. The academic resources and the most important results of scientific research, international cooperation, as well as cooperation with practice, research and administrative institutions were also described in the paper.

Thin-walled structures have considerably become popular due to their light weight, easy installation and simple manufacturing technology. However, they are liable to the loss of stability (which occurs locally or generally) and therefore, it often happens that the bearing capacity of a structural component is determined by buckling or by the after-buckling state. Regarding that, both the proper assessment of deformation as well as its measurement have become a crucial task that needs to be performed before the designing phase of such structures. The main goal the authors intended to achieve was to perform some preliminary laboratory tests that would be helpful to assess the possibility of using geodetic positioning techniques for measuring horizontal displacements of steel sections undergoing global and local stability loss under axial compressive force.

In the article there was discussed the scope of the soil investigation and selection of substrate parameters taking into account the working conditions of the construction. Presented range allows to use the modern techniques, numerical modelling and advanced constitutive models of soil for buildings analysis with deep foundations. The experiences and conclusions of numerical computational models selected objects made in the 2D and 3D, taking into account local geotechnical conditions and existing infrastructure were presented.

The shear modulus (G) is one of the key parameters for seismic ground response analysis and it can be usually determined by means of dynamic tests (DT), such as resonant column test (RCT), or cyclic static test (CST), e.g. torsional shear (TST). The RC and TS tests are widely used laboratory methods to find stiffness of soil at small to medium strain range (0.0001–0.5%). The purpose of this paper is to present the experimental results from RC and CS laboratory tests on silty-sandy clay from the western part of Warsaw, Poland. The study aims to compare the shear modulus values obtained from two different research techniques. The influence of, in particular, the applied effective pressure, associated shear strain and experimental method (i.e. loading frequency and output amplitude) on the shear modulus at small strains (Gmax) and secant shear modulus (G) are investigated and proved. Generally, the results reveal that the examined soils stiffness calculated from TS tests is lower than from RC tests.

Cyclic loads frequently are a non-destructive operation. The resulting de-formations of the cyclic load is different from the static load deformation. The reaction of the soil to cyclic loading requires a different description because of the possibility to differentiate the size of plastic deformation and elastic in one load cycle. The reaction of cyclically loaded cohesive soil is affected by many factors such as the degree of saturation, over-consolidation ratio or density. Conditions in which the soil is subjected to a load such as the size of the principal stress (σ3), value of the deviatoric stress (qmax) or stress amplitude (σa) in the case of repeated loads lead to different reaction cohesive soil. The article presents results of research on cohesive soil namely sandy – silty caly. The study was conducted using a cyclic triaxial apparatus. The objective of this study was to characterize the stress causes a different reaction cohesive soil. The article presents the methodology of research and analysis of the behavior of the soil. Also it proposed empirical equation for determining the growth of plastic deformation in subsequent cycles load.

The paper concerns a range of applicability in evaluation of coefficient of permeability on the basis of indirect approach in various soils. Considered indirect approach is based on Casagrande and Taylor’s methods of determination of coefficient of consolidation (cv). Tests were carried out on six kinds of soils containing various amount of fines from the range 9–99,5%. Specimens were reconstituted in medium size consolidometer and then loaded in stages. Independently, coefficient of permeability was determined directly by flow pump technique at the end of consolidation stage for each material. Convergence of results of both methods was assumed as criterion of evaluation of range of applicability of indirect approach in determination of coefficient of permeability with respect to grain size distribution.

The article describes the design process and the construction of a work on one of the most important investments realized recently, i.e. the expansion of Opole power plant. The project consists of soil reinforcement under slab foundation for a turbo generator in new blocks number 5 and 6. The strengthening was realized using concrete columns. The project of the reinforcement was an important part of the preparations for the realization of the works. It was decided to construct a three-dimensional model of soil with the elements of the reinforcement. Non-linear material models, such as Hardening Soil for soils and Hoek-Brown for rock formations, were applied in the calculations. Geotechnical parameters and the design solution (the prevision of foundation slabs excessive settlements) were calibrated during trial loading of test columns. 1020 reinforced columns CFA and 2057 CMC columns were built during the construction.

With regard to the PN-EN 206-1 standard, the individual corrosive components of water affecting concrete, criteria for evaluation of chemical corrosiveness of groundwater and class of exposure were presented. The variability of particular corrosive components was explained with the use of an example of Quaternary groundwater of the Warsaw agglomeration. Those chemical components of groundwater which have statistically dominant influence in evaluation of corrosive impact on concrete were indicated.

Comparison of four, different calculation methods of screw displacement piles bearing capacity was caused by two main reasons: lack of local, national guidelines and numerous failures, caused by design mistakes. Furthermore, several selected projects were critically analyzed in order to present engineering application these calculation methods. The displacement piles screw into non-cohesive soil were analyzed.

In geotechnical design of structures according to the rules and regulations given in Eurocode 7 (EN 1997-1, 2:2004. Eurocode 7 – Geotechnical design. Part 1, 2), the standard recommended for use since 2010 in the European Union, one of the most important engineering tasks is the selection of parameters to examine all of the possible limit states. In determining the characteristic values of geotechnical parameters, including strength and deformation must be as careful and thoughtful use statistical methods, both classical and Bayesian approach. Bayesian statistical analysis is justified especially in the case of disposition and consideration in the selection of parameter values a priori, for example, the expert geotechnical parameters, or if the possibility of enlarging the number of sets of parameters and geotechnical data, which forms the basis for observational method. The paper presents examples of geotechnical data analysis using Bayesian theory, the aim was to determine the effect of a range of geotechnical investigations, including the number and type of soundings and their distance from the proposed facility on the characteristic parameters of the substrate. In addition, it shows the importance of Bayesian theory in the design of footings for use in designing methods of observation. The results of the analysis indicate the usefulness of Bayesian theory in solving many tasks geotechnical.

The subject of this elaboration is a brief discussion of the layout and operation of furnace waste dumps and the main elements of the technology of storage of such wastes. Operating conditions and applied construction types of operating platforms were described. Several versions of the operating platforms were designed and analysed by comparison of such features as: weight, labour intensity of the realization, ease of inspection, anticorrosion cleaning and painting, height of the posts over the water level needed to mount the platform, aesthetics. The Authors chose and recommended the most favorable solution of the operating platform where the platform is situated in the bottom chord of the truss girders, the girders have height of 1.1 m and play a role of safety railings.

The investigations on mechanical properties of reed stems face numerous difficulties, because of their anisotropy, heterogeneity, shell-like structure, small lateral dimensions of stems and huge diversity of species and habitats of origination. Aware of all difficulties to cope with, the basic experiment has been conducted, that is the uni-axial tension test for reed stems, withand without joints. The strain-stress relation, at tension, displayed an exponential character, showing material stiffening with the growth of strain. Test results incline to conclusion, that stem-pieces without joints are equally stiff as pieces with joints, however, they are twice as strong as the latter. It means, that joints can be perceived as fragile (in the sense: “brittle”) discontinuity in structure of reed stems. The results of the test have been put through critical estimate and analysis tending to statistical modelling of the load-carrying ability of reed stems.

The paper presents an approach to the solution of a problem of stability of cylindrical anisotropic shells under the influence of axial compression. The approach is based on the application of the Bubnov-Galerkin procedure, taking into account boundary conditions on surfaces and end edges of cylindrical shells as well as on the application of a numerical method of discrete orthogonalization. It has been solved a problem of stability of cylindrical shells made of a material characterized by one plane of elastic symmetry. It has been investigated a dependence of values of critical stresses on the rotation angle of main directions of elasticity properties in respect to the main curvatures of the cylindrical shell. The results are presented in form of graphs and provided in the tables. Their analysis also has been carried out.

The paper present the assessment of geotechnical parameters and stability analyses of a landfill slope reinforced with hexagonal geogrid (triaxial geogrid). The structure of ribs in hexagonal geogrids is based on equilateral triangle shape, what assures the equilibrium of stress distribution, different to commonly used single or double axial geogrids. The structure of hexagonal geogrids provides high strength and stiffness in all directions and stabilizes the ski slope subsoil. The numerical stability analyses were conducted using classic limit equilibrium method (Bishop method).

Aim of this study is analysis of impact of the Wióry reservoir on the streamflow drought in the Świślina River. Article include characteristic of the phenomenon streamflow drought, which is the period of persistence of low flows in rivers. The issue will be reconsidered in Nietulisko Duże gauge profile, closing Świśliny River basin with an area of 402.83 km², which in 2005 was put into operation Wióry water storage reservoir. The Świślina river, along with its tributaries, carries waters from the Świętokrzyskie Mountains – the highest part of the Kamienna River catchment area. The variability, causing long-term periods of low water levels, as well as rapid flooding, was the main reason for the reservoir construction. Currently the Wióry reservoir is the largest and most modern water storage reservoir in the Kamienna River catchment area. Daily discharges from the period 1961–2013 were used as the base data for the study. A sequence of discharges of at least 10-day duration with values equal to or less than Q90% = 0,40 m³·s^–1 was recognized as constituting a streamflow drought. In the multiannual period 1961–2013, the longest streamflow drought was started in April 2006 and ended in February 2007, after the Wióry reservoir was constructed.

Summary. The north-east of Lublin, in Sobianowice, on the high side of river Bystrzyca, it is located the manor and park. History of Sobianowice starts in 14th century, and the first mention about fortified manor in this place dates back to 1676. Now, park has area of 2.28 ha, it represent nineteenth-century landscape park in “calligraphic” style. Since 1978, object and its surrounding is protected by conservator. In the least ten years, the manor and park remain abandoned and neglected. The purpose of this article is present transformation in composition of manor park in Sobianowice, on the basis archive materials and field research, also indication of the surviving relics old manor and visibility of the object associated with natural and cultural landscape.

The paper presents the results of investigations of properties (consistency, air content, density, water absorbability, freeze resistance, compressive and bending strength) of ordinary concretes as well as concretes containing various amount of steel fibres. To make the samples, the Portland cement CEM II/B-M (V-LL) 32.5 R and natural aggregate with graining of 0÷16 mm (with increased quantity of sand – 38%) were used. The concrete samples with addition of steel fibres were made in three batches where the added fibres constituted 0.8%, 1.6% and 2.4% of the mass of concrete mix. After the tests it was stated that the admixture of steel fibres causes the increase (to a small extent) of the density and air content in the concrete mix, the water absorbability of the concrete, moreover it has positive influence on the strength properties. In the freeze resistance tests, the cubes made of the modified concrete presented lower compressive strength with the increase of the quantity of steel fibres.