Daylight in interiors

Sustainability represents a commonly agreed global development goal. It aims at ensuring the quality of life on Earth for current and future generations. Sustainability should thus become the fundamental overarching concept for the efficient/high-quality design and operation of any product or service throughout its lifecycle—focusing on all three pillars of sustainability—social, environmental, and economic. Among the different socioeconomic sectors, dealing with the impacts that the construction sector has is fundamental, as it strongly contributes to many of the pressing issues that need to be addressed. Not only do we need to improve the economic, environmental, and social performance of our built environment, but we also need to be better prepared for new conditions that are appearing as a cause of global challenges (e.g., climate change). The importance of this approach is all the more clear in light of an increasing number of man-made and natural disasters occurring globally. Thus, current developments and changes in the environment and socioeconomic situation require improvements in the technology of different processes that are involved in construction projects. In this context, concrete is a particularly interesting material, because it has a great potential for new technical solutions meeting new requirements, leading to the necessary reduction of environmental impacts and at the same time improvement of social and economic conditions, including safety and reliability during emergency situations. However, considering the huge volume of global concrete production and the negative impacts closely linked to its production, the overall environmental negative impact associated with the construction of concrete structures on a global scale is considerable. In view of the above global situation, it is of utmost importance to focus on the introduction of new production and construction technologies, advanced design techniques and efficient operation, maintenance, and recycling techniques of concrete structures. Concrete mixes, concrete products, and concrete structures should be designed to meet the requirements of sustainability—namely, to minimize their negative impacts and increase the positive impact on society, the environment, and the economy. This could be achieved by increasing the quality and durability of concrete structures throughout their life cycle, through (i) improvements in design methods, (ii) development of concrete mixtures, composite materials, and reinforcement methods, (iii) modernization of concrete technology, (iv) development of integrated design approaches, and (v) innovation in maintenance, repair, demolition, and recycling processes. This requires the involvement of all actors in the construction process, from material manufacturers, designers, and builders to users, and their conviction and initiative in the need to achieve better results in terms of sustainability requirements. This special theme of Structural Concrete journal: Sustainability of Concrete Structures collects a selection of contributions related to different aspects of sustainability showing potential of concrete structures to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2015 as an action plan until 2030. The content of this special theme volume covers issues related to Life Cycle Assessment of concrete structures, carbon neutrality, use of recycled concrete and other recycled components, optimization of concrete structures, and many other issues bringing the contribution of concrete research and development to SDGs. We trust that the presented selection of articles is of interest to the concrete community focusing on the development of concrete structures toward a sustainable and resilient built environment as a contribution for future generations. Petr HajekDepartment of Architectural Engineering,Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic; Member of fib COM7, Convener of fib TG7.1: Sustainable Concrete—general framework; Member of fib COM10, TG10.1: Model Code 2020; Member of TG6.3:Sustainability of structures with precast elements and TG1.5:Structural sustainability. Albert de la Fuente AntequeraAssociate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Nikola TošićUniversitat Politècnica de Catalunya—BarcelonaTECH (UPC), Barcelona, Spain. Irene JosaDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London (UCL), London, UK. Petr Hajek, Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic; Member of fib COM7, Convener of fib TG7.1: Sustainable Concrete—general framework; Member of fib COM10, TG10.1: Model Code 2020; Member of TG6.3: Sustainability of structures with precast elements and TG1.5: Structural sustainability. Albert de la Fuente Antequera, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. Nikola Tošić, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—BarcelonaTECH (UPC), Jordi Girona 1–3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. Irene Josa, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London (UCL), London, UK.

Numerical simulation of heat, moisture, salt and momentum transport is often applied for the investigation of building materials, nowadays. However, the results would not be satisfactory without credible and precise input data for the computations. Therefore, the results of laboratory experiments have to be stored and shared. In this paper, we focus on the material parameters of historical masonry in the manner of a system for their storing and utilization. To provide the data in a sufficient and safe way, make it accessible across the computer platforms and realize a connection between the experimental measurements, its circumstances and performers, a web-based database system is designed. It provides a solution to several issues: data backup and sharing, ensuring uniformity and serviceability on separate yet easy accessible storage. The database offers the descriptions, prescriptions, references and values of parameters of materials arranged in several categories. The online PHP application is based on the MVP concept with RMD-type MySQL database equipped by data conversion and interpretation tools. The contents of current version were measured and consolidated on the Department of Materials Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. Several characteristic examples of the practical application of the database are presented, demonstrating its capability to act as an effective tool for the computational assessment of degradation of historical masonry

The project of VR-2 subcritical assembly

This paper describes the mission, objectives and research directionsof the Department of Computer Graphics and Interaction of the CzechTechnical University in Prague. It also gives a brief overview of therunning research projects and collaborations.

The use of precast steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) for tunnel segments is a relatively new application of this material. It was first applied in Italy in the 1980s. However, it did not begin to be widely applied until after 2000. The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), together with Metrostav, carried out a study to evaluate the use of this new technology for tunnels in the Czech Republic. The first tests were carried out on small samples (beams and cubes) produced from SFRC to find an appropriate type and an appropriate dosage of fibres. The tests were also used to verify other factors affecting the final product (e.g. production technology). Afterwards, SFRC segments were produced and then tested at the Klokner Institute of CTU. Successful test results confirmed that it was possible to use SFRC segments for Czech transport tunnels. Consequently a 15 m-long section of segmental lining generated from SFRC without steel rebars was constructed as part of line A of the Prague metro.

This paper is a study mainly aimed to understanding of deflagration and explosion characteristics of methane gas system explosion in a tunnel structures. Underground infrastructure structures are threatened by aftermaths due the all hazards: natural, criminal, terrorist, and accidental such as a gas detonations, bumps, terrorist attacks, etc. Human victims, decreasing of bearing capacity of the structural system and long-lasting traffic troubles can be very extensive. This is why it is of great importance to assess dynamic impacts of explosives, which are required by some contractors or developers for lowering the danger of damage of structures. In order to fulfil these demands accurate computation is necessary and on the other hand also new protective structures and methods have to be suggested and verified. The expensive, time consuming or even dangerous experiments should be proved by the numerical methods. A series of tests was conducted to investigate the blast evaluation of premixed methane-air burning and explosion in the underground tunnel. LVDT and pressure transducers were used to record deflection histories and measured air blast pressure histories. The full-scale experimental study was performed by the Scientific-Research Coal Institute VVUU in Ostrava under the supervision of the Department of Technology of Building, Czech Technical University in Prague. The analysis of the tunnel structure caused by a blast load is presented in this paper based on the time-dependent measurements of the response of the underground structures to the blast wave loads that were successfully recorded using a variety of measurement devices.

Event Abstract Back to Event Cell therapy for transplantations in cardiovascular system: decellularization and recellularization of porcine pericardium Marie Markova1, Elena Filova1, Roman Matejka1, 2, Miroslav Konarik3, Jan Pirk3 and Lucie Bacakova1 1 Institute of Physiology of The Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Czechia 2 Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czechia 3 Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Cardiology Department, Czechia Introduction: Immune systems response, which leads to degeneration of allo/xenogeneic aortic heart valves, is the biggest problem of organ-transplantations generally. The immune response is caused by the presence of donor cells in the host organism. There is an effort to find the way, how to diminish this complication. The aim of our study was to prepare a graft made of decellularized porcine pericardium and to recolonize it with adipose tissue-derived stem cells. This graft will be later mechanically stimulated in a bioreactor. Materials and methods: For the decellularization of porcine pericardium we used varied combinations, concentrations, and exposure time of sodium deoxycholate (SDC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X 100. The degree of decellularization process was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Hoechst staining of histological samples. Biocompatibility of the tissue extracts was evaluated using xCelligence method with rat vascular smooth muscle cells. The decellularized pericardium was seeded with adipose tissue-derived stem cells and cultured for 11 days. Results and discussion: Using various combinations, concentrations and time of incubation on native porcine pericardium (Fig. 1-A) we prepared pericardium with a various degree of decellularization. Because of the extremely toxicity of SDS [1] after decellularization, the pericardium was washed out thoroughly to remove the rest of the chemicals used. The Cell-Viability Assay showed very low toxicity of decellularizated pericardium after the washing. For the recellularization we chose pericardium without residual cells (Fig. 1-B). Adipose tissue-derived stem cells seeded on the pericardium attached, spread, and proliferated during an eleven-day culture (Fig. 1-C). These grafts will be further mechanically stimulated in a bioreactor and both stem cell differentiation and their production of extracellular matrix will be assessed. Fig. 1. (A) A histological section of native porcine pericardium stained with Hoechst 33342 (blue – cell nuclei). (B) A histological section of decellularized porcine pericardium stained with Hoechst 33342. Epifluorescence microscope Olympus IX51, DP70 camera, obj. ×10 (A, B). (C) Decellularized porcine pericardium seeded with adipose tissue-derived stem cells on day 5 after seeding, stained with Hoechst 33342 (blue – cell nuclei) and Phalloidin-TRIC (F-actin - red). Epifluorescence microscope Olympus IX71, DP71 camera, obj. ×10 (C). Conclusion: We prepared the decellularized porcine pericardium, which allowed adipose tissue-derived stem cells attachment, spreading and proliferation. This method could be important for development of grafts for transplantations in cardiovascular system. The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic; AZV CR agency, project No. 15-29153A; The Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, project No. P108/12/1168; BIOCEV – Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University project (CZ.1.05/1.1.00/02.0109), funded by the European Regional Development Fund

The contribution provides information about the development of a system for visualization of NPP severe accident progress. This visualization is under development in cooperation of UJV Rez, a.s. and Czech Technical University in Prague. The project is supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and is planned to be solved from 2015 to 2017. The visualization uses results of an analytical code MELCOR for evaluation of the NPP severe accident progress. The visualization firstly reads MELCOR results, transforms them to a suitable format for quick processing and provides graphical screens with reactor components that could demonstrate the progress of the evaluated severe accident. The visualization can even provide parallel presentation of more different scenarios of the severe accident. The system is planned to be used for training of NPP staff to handle severe accidents. In the first year of the project solution (2015), the software for MELCOR data transformation, next for providing information about transformed data were developed. In the following year (2016), software for creation of graphical screens with reactor components and software for severe accident progress presentation is creating. In the final year of the project (2017), thorough testing is going to be carried out, and the applicability of the visualization for a practical use during a NPP staff training is going to be verified.

Stiffness of cover plate connections with slotted holes

Abstract. Virtual Reality (VR) is a highly topical subject in many branches of science and industry. Thanks to the rapid development and advancement of computer technology in recent years, it can now be used to a large extent, with more detail to show and is now more affordable than before. The use of virtual reality is currently devoted to many disciplines and it can be expected that its popularity will grow progressively over the next few years. The Laboratory of Photogrammetry at the Czech Technical University in Prague is also interested in VR and focuses mainly on documentation and visualization of historical buildings and objects. Our opinion is that in the field of virtual reality there is great potential and extensive possibilities. 3D models of historical objects, primarily created by photogrammetric IBRM technology (image based modelling and rendering) or by laser scanning, gain a completely different perspective in VR. In general, most of the newly designed buildings are now being implemented into BIM. For certain projects, historical buildings or constructions should also have implemented into BIM. As a basic input into BIM, an accurate 3D spatial documentation of the condition is needed with special accent to additional information like engineering networks, materials, etc. Creating BIM is one thing, visualizing a model is another. The historical object is irregular and it is difficult to create its simplified form as the CAD model; it is much easier with modern buildings. The question is always the appropriate type of visualization, where virtual reality can be a very useful technology. So-called game engines such as Unreal engine or Unity are used to create a virtual world. These are highly sophisticated tools that make it possible to create a suitable environment, where you can place created models and then view and analyse them with the help of VR glasses. In our contribution, we would like to show an example of a technology line that allows you to convert an object documented by laser scanning into virtual reality. An older industrial building prepared for future reconstruction was chosen as a case study. This object was scanned by a laser scanner, a 3D model was created and material types and engineering networks were added into the model.

CedupointTM (Continuing Education Point) is an integral part of the Department of Telecommunication Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering. Due to its mission, it provides a lot of activities focused on promotion of university education techniques and technologies to primary and secondary schools. The activity presented in this paper is based on introduction of touchscreen devices (tablets) into education at small- and medium-sized primary and secondary schools. The paper presents a summary of all related activities and provides an overview of relevant technologies and technical solutions as well as fundamental ideas of the designed education program; nevertheless, it is focused on the major activity related to classroom management systems designed for teachers of these schools.

Wireless optical links can bring new added technologic approach atop of today's wireless networks forming their backbones and subparts. However several measurements have to be performed in order to get close insight on their availability within infrastructures. The paper reports recent tests at the Czech Technical University in Prague in cooperation with Northumbria University. New testbeds have been developed for outdoor and indoor measurements. Together with reports from packet and BER measurements, paper introduces complementary results on spatial coherence measurements for single link influenced by turbulence.

The paper describes the construction of the neutron imaging facility at the very low-power research reactor VR-1. The training reactor VR-1 is operated by the Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic. It is mainly used for the education of students in the field of nuclear engineering as well as for the training of professionals. Neutron imaging is the new field of VR-1 reactor utilisation currently under development. Extremely low reactor power at the level of 100 W brought many challenges that were necessary to overcome to build and commission a sustainable neutron radiography facility. The paper describes the reactor’s neutron flux verification and the basic concept and design of the neutron imaging instrumentation. The first experimental results were mainly dedicated to testing the detection system for different radial beam port configurations, different L/D ratios, and different exposure times. Preliminary results of neutron radiography and tomography measurements at VR-1 clearly showed the potential of using neutron imaging in low-power reactors such as the VR-1 reactor.

The aim of the paper is to inform about the requirements laid on education in the fields of Biomedical Technology and Biomedical Engineering in the connection with legal provisions on non-medical health service occupations in the Czech Republic and its compliance with the working documents on harmonization of biomedical engineering education in Europe (BIOMEDEA project). The legal provisions define completely new position of technical personnel in the health care service system. We show how the legal regulations and European recommendations are reflected in Master study at the Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

BIOMECHANICS SIMULATION HELPS DISPROVE THE UNEQUIVOCAL MURDER