Institute of Technology and Business

Soil materials and road pavement construction materials are subjected to dynamic and repetitive loading of different intensity from vehicle traffic. To account for the cyclic nature of material loading and its non-linear behavior, the concept of the resilient modulus has been adopted. It is a fundamental property of unbound pavement materials, as it quantifies the stiffness of the material under repeated loading. Its real value depends on the actual material parameters—e.g., maximum dry density, moisture content, compaction method, and the number and magnitude of repeated loads—and on the state of stress of the actual pavement structure. The resilient modulus value is therefore not constant for a given material type but varies over a certain interval depending on the above-mentioned parameters and the actual test conditions. Therefore, the method of determining the resilient modulus must take into account all the above factors. The standard method for resilient modulus determination is the cyclic triaxial test, but the cyclic CBR test procedure is also used. It uses standard California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test equipment, and thus it is a very simple and very economical testing method. In the presented paper, the influence of loading force and number of loading cycles on the deformation characteristic and resilient modulus of the analyzed soil is investigated. A total of 72 soil specimens are tested at two different levels of loading force and six different numbers of loading cycles. The obtained results confirm that the resilience modulus increases with increasing loading force value and with increasing number of loading cycles. For the soil analyzed, the resilient modulus ranges in the interval 31-83 MPa.

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are a key component in achieving high energy performance in building envelopes. Despite their thermal efficiency, ETICS facades are frequently affected by biological surface degradation caused by microbial growth, primarily algae and fungi. This phenomenon is closely linked to hygrothermal dynamics, where moisture availability, condensation events, and limited surface drying play a critical role. The presented study maps the conditions contributing to biological colonization, with a focus on the interaction between climatic exposure, construction parameters, and facade orientation. A simplified theoretical model was employed to assess hygrothermal behaviour under typical Central European climate conditions. Particular attention was given to the frequency and duration of surface moisture presence. The results suggest that even well-insulated systems can exhibit prolonged moisture accumulation at the surface, significantly increasing the risk of biological contamination. The findings reinforce the importance of integrating hygroclimatic risk assessment into the design and detailing of ETICS systems to ensure long-term durability and visual quality, especially in the context of sustainable construction.

The integration of daylighting element into sustainable building design presents a significant opportunity to reduce energy consumption while improving indoor environmental quality. This study focuses on the performance assessment of passive daylight transport systems, with an emphasis on their thermal and optical characteristics. Various configurations of tubular daylighting devices were analyzed using simulation-based methods, considering material properties, geometrical parameters, and hygrothermal conditions of the building envelope. The evaluation considered both the efficiency of light transmission and the impact on thermal integrity, including potential heat loss through envelope penetrations. The results demonstrate that the proper design and positioning of daylighting elements can significantly enhance visual comfort without compromising energy performance. The findings support the implementation of daylight-driven strategies as a viable approach to improve building sustainability and contribute to nearly zero-energy building standards.

Purpose This research paper aims to examine the impact of increased inflation on residential real estate investment in Prague, Czech Republic, over the period 2019–2024. The objective is to measure the relationship between inflation and housing prices and to evaluate the influence of monetary policy on market dynamics. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative time-series analysis was applied to inflation and housing price data. Correlation and regression models were used to assess direct and lagged effects (including a one-quarter lag). The asset-based valuation method was implemented to detect property overvaluation, while the delayed effects of the Czech National Bank’s (CNB) monetary tightening were also analysed. Findings A strong positive relationship between inflation and housing prices was identified (r = 0.75), which strengthened with a one-quarter lag (r = 0.80). In 2022, residential property prices were overvalued by up to 10% relative to their fundamental values. Monetary tightening by the CNB led to a temporary decline in investment activity and a delayed correction of market prices. Research limitations/implications The analysis is limited to a five-year horizon, a single urban market (Prague) and partial qualitative data. Future studies should extend the time frame, include additional Czech and Central European regions and integrate behavioural and spatial aspects of investment decisions. Practical implications The findings provide evidence for investors and developers of inflation-driven overvaluation and policy-induced market corrections. Policymakers gain insights into how monetary tightening affects housing markets in small open economies. Social implications The results contribute to understanding housing affordability and market stability during periods of economic uncertainty, relevant to households, regulators and financial institutions. Originality/value The study establishes a novel empirical link between inflation, valuation and monetary policy in Prague’s housing market, providing actionable evidence for both academic research and professional practice.

Across Europe, academics are increasingly launching spin-off companies based on research once confined to journals. Yet despite the wealth of ideas, few reach the market. Why? The challenge goes beyond funding or business skills. Drawing on data from over 2,000 European academics from 33 countries, this research explores how different University-Business Collaboration dimensions, combined with psychological and sociological factors shape spin-off creation. Findings show that personal confidence and institutional culture are critical drivers. Fostering academic entrepreneurship, therefore, requires supportive environments, positive attitudes toward collaboration, and human-centered strategies to translate knowledge into innovation.

Microbially induced precipitation of calcium carbonate is a natural biomineralization process that produces calcium carbonate crystals. In recent years, this process has attracted significant attention in the field of biotechnology due to its broad application potential. The resulting calcium carbonate crystals can be used, for example, for bonding and cementing of various particles, making this biotechnology applicable in soil stabilization, enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete, or in concrete recycling. Therefore, it has the potential to address environmental problems such as landslides or the enormous carbon footprint of the construction industry. In addition, it can also be used to immobilise heavy metals in carbonates, offering promising applications in bioremediation. All these applications are the subject of this review paper. However, despite its promise, this innovative technology has its limitations. To date, the majority of studies have been confined to laboratory-scale experiments, with challenges persisting in scaling the process for field applications. Obstacles for larger-scale applications include the homogeneity in treated soil, the long-term stability of compounds with immobilized heavy metals or the strength of the concrete. Undoubtedly, one of the major obstacles to large-scale applications is the cost; therefore, the paper examines the potential avenues for reducing the overall expenses of the process. The paper also identifies unresolved aspects of the process that require further investigation and deeper understanding to unlock the full potential of this innovative technology.