Insufficient resilience of the natural environment is one of the many problems with the foundation of linear structures, and one of the ways to solve the foundation of a linear structure is the stabilization of soils. Fine-grained soils are problematic for traffic construction. The properties of clay soils change due to climatic conditions. They swell and become plastic in the presence of water, shrink in dry conditions, increase in volume, and freeze due to frost. Improving the properties of fine-grained soils with lime is a suitable solution to the problem in traffic construction. The purpose of soil improvement is to modify soil properties such as creating soil without cavities and gaps, increasing shear strength, reduce compressibility and permeability, the soil must be able to transfer the load without further settling (or unnatural compression). Soil improvement can be defined as an intervention in the natural geological environment or artificially built earth structures (embankments, notches), the purpose of which is to increase the resistance of the subsoil, achieve even settlement of the structure or object, accelerate consolidation, optimally build earth structures, etc. We can encounter the stabilization of the subsoil in all types of constructions, but most often in line constructions and water management construction. In our article, we focus on the effects of soil treatment with lime. The treated soil was F8 (CH) clay with high plasticity.

A decisive aspect of site evaluation for construction is the presence of anthropogenic materials occurring in the geological environment. The geotechnical properties of blast-furnace slag were investigated as a potential substitute for aggregates in the construction industry. The basic geotechnical parameters of the slag were determined, which are critical for evaluating its stability, environmental impact, and usability in geotechnical construction. The research focused on monitoring the physical and mechanical properties of the two samples, and also included mineralogical analysis. The obtained results demonstrated that the slag belongs to the category of poorly graded gravel, G2/GP, and gravel with an admixture of fine-grained soil, G3/G-F. In addition, other important parameters, such as the water disintegration of the slag aggregate, the minimum and maximum bulk densities, the California bearing ratio (CBR), the oedometric modulus (E_oed), and shear tests (the angle of internal friction φ and cohesion c), were determined. The results from this paper provide important information for the proper management of blast-furnace slag so to minimize its environmental impact and achieve sustainability in the mining industry. At the same time, it enables a better understanding of the use of slag as a substitute for aggregates in geotechnical tasks. Despite its local importance in relation to the investigated case, the presented study has significant educational and scientific value for the construction sector, where it is necessary to evaluate anthropogenic activities and materials.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the original inhabitants of Čachtice built a large complex of tunnels and cellars under the village, today called the Čachtice underground. The underground protected people from war conflicts, most recently during World War II, as anti-aircraft shelters. Over time, the underground lost its significance. The corridors were walled up, covered with rubble, and collapsed due to construction work. Later, a part of the underground was repaired, and historical events occurred in such a preserved part. Due to a lawsuit, the Čachtice underground was eventually closed to the public, and it was necessary to test the stability of the walls of the Čachtice underground. A 3D model of the underground was created, and three areas were identified in which numerical calculations were performed in Plaxis 2D software. The whole underground is located in loess soil. The Čachtice underground is stable if the conditions do not change diametrically. The calculated factors of safety support this assumption.

Efficient transport infrastructure is vital for economic competitiveness, yet landslides pose significant threats to roads, endangering safety and infrastructure. This article focuses on the rehabilitation of landslides using self-drilling anchors. Micropiles, which are reinforced drilled piles offer advantages in areas unsuitable for conventional foundation systems due to their adaptability to challenging terrain and minimal vibrations during installation. Our study focuses on a road site in the Bradl belt, characterized by significantly inclined terrain and medium plasticity clay soils. Using numerical modeling through AutoCad and Plaxis 2D, we evaluate the stability of the slope and the effectiveness of the micropile-reinforced concrete beam system. The φ-c reduction method was employed to assess the safety factor, showing that the spatial arrangement of micropiles enhances slope stability significantly. The results highlighted that a spatial orientation of micropiles improves the structural integrity and safely absorbs impacts, outperforming traditional arrangements. This study underscores the potential of micropiles for effectively addressing landslide threats, offering design, safety, and maintenance advantages.

In Slovakia, construction process already begins in less suitable locations. Such a location is also situated in Podhorie, small village near the city of Žilina. The subsoil is formed by high-plasticity clay with claystone in lower position. This article deals with the analysis of the influence of various input parameters as well as Rinter mesh discretization on the determination of safety factor – M _SF. The Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model was used in numerical model with respect to availability of input parameters. The ability to identify the parameter with the biggest impact on the resulting value of safety factor is an indisputable benefit. Various studies have been published on this topic. In our case, cohesion c had the biggest influence on the M _SF parameter when reducing shear parameters. In the future, the authors will compare the achieved results of numerical modelling with the actual deformations of the structure.

Stability analysis of landslide areas represents a critical issue in many countries, as landslides can cause large material damage and are a threat to the health and life of inhabitants. This article is aimed at the stability analysis of a built-up locality using a combination of traditional inclinometry with observations carried out using TDR technology (Time Domain Reflectometry) for displacement and groundwater level monitoring. Considering the geological conditions of the site and the occurrence of an old stabilized landslide, groundwater is the main trigger for possible slope deformations. The evaluation of the stability, based on the survey and monitoring outputs, was made using the Finite Element Method. The loss of stability was predicted for a certain uplift of groundwater level and seismic loading, which was lower than normative requirements. The presented case study demonstrates the need for an exhaustive and coordinated survey, as well as the importance of monitoring results and integrated analysis. This careful combination of activities enables us to understand the behavior of the landslide, to evaluate the stability potential of the slope, and to design effective protective measures.