Impact of the Revetment on the Seashore in the Region of Babie Doły (KM 93.6–93.9), Poland

The present paper addresses the litho-dynamic and morpho-dynamic processes in the coastal zone of Babie Doły (KM 93.6–93.9), Poland. As a background, the history of coastal engineering measures in this area is described. The impact of post-war structures on the seashore is analysed on the basis of historical maps, supported by results of the sediment transport modelling. Shore regression is caused by the so-called downstream erosion behind the headland with remains of rock palisade structures. The possible consequences for the seashore resulting from the removal of the analysed revetment are discussed. The paper also presents recommendations to the relevant authorities for the future.

Desertification and Its Control along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is a magnificent project in the twenty first century. However, the problem of land desertification has arisen during the operation of the railway. Many sections of the railway roadbed are buried by sand. The ecological safety along the railway and the safe operation of the railway have attracted worldwide attention. This chapter will focus on the current situation of desertification along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, such as key desertification sections and the temporal and spatial characteristics of the occurrence of desertification. At the same time, it introduces the characteristics of the dynamic conditions of railway desertification and the source of sand material. It is divided into two parts: biological measures and engineering measures to introduce desertification control along the railway. The biological measures focus on the selection of Lolium perenne, Festuca sinensi, Elymus breviaristatus, Elymus nutans and Poa crymophila, and other alpine native sand-fixing plant materials. The engineering measures will introduce the railway desertification comprehensive prevention and control technology system that combines solidification, resistance, and transportation.

The practice of using the fourier transform in processing the results of mathematical modeling of the hydrodynamics of getaways

The article deals with the actual aspects of practical mathematical modeling of hydro-dynamic processes in the chambers of navigational locks. The use of direct and inverse Fourier transforms has been tested to obtain the representations of non-stationary graphs acceptable for analysis. Cross-sections of the water flow filling the chamber of a typical lock in the Volga-Don shipping channel were used as reference data (VDSC). The control sections in the flow were selected with a qualitatively different hydrodynamic nature of motion. A two-dimensional array of non-stationary data results were decomposed into Fourier series. The resulting graph of the amplitude-frequency spectrum was analyzed by the harmonics forming it. Its amplitude was taken as the criterion for the harmonics’ selection. After zeroing the insignificant harmonics, the inverse Fourier transform was performed. The quality of the data array approximation was controlled by visual overlay of the original graphs on the processed one. In all cases, it was possible to obtain the acceptable approximation results. This created a reliable basis for the scientific analysis and development of engineering measures for the implementation of safe ship passage through gateways. At the end of the article, a number of the data processing specific features are presented, caused by a variety of hydrodynamic features of the flow in various sections.

Design and Research of Smart Neck Helmets Based on the KANO-QFD Model and TRIZ Theory

In order to better serve the safety protection of urban residents during cycling, the KANO model is used to analyze the problems encountered by users wearing helmets during cycling. Combined with QFD, the weighted average analysis of user needs and the importance of engineering measures of product technical characteristics is carried out and users are found. We used TRIZ innovative invention principles to analyze the key requirements and converted them into TRIZ standard problems. We used the corresponding invention measures to improve the existing problems of the helmet and verified the rationality of the design through finite element analysis. Through the KANO-QFD model combined with the TRIZ innovative invention principle, the helmet is optimized to improve its safety.

An Overview of the Geomorphological Characteristics of the Pergamon Micro-Region (Bakırçay and Madra River Catchments, Aegean Region, West Turkey)

Current landforms are the basis for understanding past geomorphodynamics and human activities. Based on multiple materials and methods, including geomorphometric analyses of a digital elevation model and visual interpretations of satellite images, different landscape units of the Bakırçay and Madra River catchments in the environs of ancient Pergamon are described. The area was mainly shaped by tectonics that formed a horst-and-graben structure; small Miocene horsts and NE-trending subgrabens in the Kozak and Yunt Dağı Mountains were separated by the NEE-trending Plio-Pleistocene Bergama Graben. The asymmetry in relief, drainage network, and sediment accumulation between the Kozak Mountains to the north and the Yunt Dağı Mountains to the south of the lower Bakırçay plain characterize the Pergamon Micro-Region. The regional relief characteristics, with wide flat basin and plateau areas, are suitable for agriculture. Complemented by its richness in natural resources, the Pergamon Micro-Region became a preferred settlement area, with evidence of human impact since the Hellenistic–Roman period at the latest. As a consequence of settlement activities, several landscape engineering measures were implemented simultaneously with a parallel change in morphodynamics.

Calculation Method of Fastening the Upper Slope of the Land Bund for Erosion and Strength

To protect the slopes of the ground dam from the devastating effects of wind waves, ice, water flow, precipitation and other factors, a number of engineering measures are provided. Based on this, an engineering decision is taken on the choice of materials for fastening structures, as well as methods for calculating their stability. When calculating the stability of the upper slope, two cases of a combination of loads and impacts are mainly considered. One of them is the reduction of the water level in the reservoir with maximum speed, and the other is the case when the water level in the reservoir is at the lowest operational level. The article investigates the processes of sliding of natural slopes of the upstream dam. Taking into account the combined action of the forces of filtering, weighing and vapor pressure, as well as the force of hydrostatic pressure to the level of dead volume. The equation for the stability coefficient of a circular-cylindrical slip of a uniform natural slope of the upstream dam has been obtained.

Review article: Towards resilient vital infrastructure systems – challenges, opportunities, and future research agenda

Infrastructure systems are inextricably tied to society by providing a variety of vital services. These systems play a fundamental role in reducing the vulnerability of communities and increasing their resilience to natural and human-induced hazards. While various definitions of resilience for infrastructure systems exist, analyzing the resilience of these systems within cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary perspectives remains limited and fragmented in research and practice. With the aim to assist researchers and practitioners in advancing understanding of resilience in designing infrastructure systems, this systematic literature review synthesizes and complements existing knowledge on designing resilient vital infrastructures by identifying (1) key conceptual tensions and challenges, (2) engineering and non-engineering measures, and (3) directions for future research. Here, a conceptual framework is developed in which infrastructures are defined as a conglomeration of interdependent social–ecological–technical systems. In addition, we define resilient infrastructures as systems with ability to (i) anticipate and absorb disturbances, (ii) adapt/transform in response to changes, (iii) recover, and (iv) learn from prior unforeseen events. Our results indicate that conceptual and practical challenges in designing resilient infrastructures continue to exist. Hence these systems are still being built without taking resilience explicitly into account. Our review of measures and recent applications shows that the available measures have not been widely applied in designing resilient infrastructure systems. Key concerns to address are identified as (i) the integration of social, ecological, and technical resilience of infrastructure systems with explicit attention paid to cascading effects and dependencies across these complex systems and (ii) the development of new technologies to identify factors that create different recovery characteristics.

Can Drones Map Earth Cracks? Landslide Measurements in North Greece Using UAV Photogrammetry for Nature-Based Solutions

The accuracy of photogrammetry for geohazards monitoring has improved within the last years because of the “drone revolution”. This study is an attempt to perform morphometric measurements in a landslide event that took place near the village Nea Zichni in Northern Greece. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro was selected to capture orthoimages of the entire area including the landslide event but also other adjusted disaster phenomena. The images were loaded in the commercial software Pix4D in order to produce orthomosaics and digital surface models of the area. The georeferenced results were further analyzed in ArcGIS in order to digitize and estimate the morphometric parameters of the landslide, such as its area and volume, but also to detect cracks and plot the tensile cracking directions. We conclude that the methodology and produced outputs are crucial for the responsible authorities to detect, monitor and mitigate natural disasters such as landslide events and other mass movements. The best practices to control mass movements are nature-based solutions such as soil bioengineering and proper vegetation cover assisted by engineering measures. Finally, our goal is to frequently monitor the landslide phenomenon in order to determine its evolution.

Recent Advances in Stability and Failure Mechanisms of Landslide Dams

Numerous landslide dams have been induced in recent years as a result of frequent earthquakes and extreme climate hazards. Landslide dams present serious threats to lives and properties downstream due to potentially breaching floods from the impounded lakes. To investigate the factors influencing the stability of landslide dams, a large database has been established based on an in-depth investigation of 1,737 landslide dam cases. The effects of triggers, dam materials, and geomorphic characteristics of landslide dams on dam stability are comprehensively analyzed. Various evaluation indexes of landslide dam stability are assessed based on this database, and stability evaluation can be further improved by considering the dam materials. Stability analyses of aftershocks, surges, and artificial engineering measures on landslide dams are summarized. Overtopping and seepage failures are the most common failure modes of landslide dams. The failure processes and mechanisms of landslide dams caused by overtopping and seepage are reviewed from the perspective of model experiments and numerical analyses. Finally, the research gaps are highlighted, and pathways to achieve a more complete understanding of landslide dam stability are suggested. This comprehensive review of the recent advances in stability and failure mechanisms of landslide dams can serve as a key reference for stability prediction and emergency risk mitigation.