Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is used as a UV light absorber to protect wood matter from photodegradation. In this paper, interactions between wood and TiO₂ coating are studied, and the efficiency of the coating is evaluated. For the experiments, two wood species were chosen: beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pine (Pinus sylvestris). Molecular and physical modifications in coated and uncoated wood exposed to UV radiation were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-VIS spectroscopy was used to describe the absorption of UV light by the TiO₂ planar particles chosen for the experiment. It was demonstrated that TiO₂ coating protects wood against photodegradation to a limited extent. TEM micrographs showed fissures in the wood matter around clusters of TiO₂ particles in beech wood.

This article presents woven carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tubular mesh used as a reinforcement on the inner surface of hollow beams made of high-performance concrete (HPC). The tubular mesh was designed to serve as both the tensile and shear reinforcement of hollow beams intended for the construction of small self-supporting structures that could be assembled without mechanization. The reinforcement was prepared with a tri-axial weaving machine from carbon filament yarn and was homogenized using epoxy resin. The interaction of the composite reinforcement with the cementitious matrix was investigated, and the surface of the reinforcement was modified using silica sand and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers to improve cohesion. The sand coating enhanced bond strength, resulting in the significantly higher flexural strength of the hollow beam of 128%. The PVA fibers had a lower positive effect of 64% on the flexural strength but improved the ductility of the beam. Individual beams were connected by gluing steel parts directly inside the hollow core of the HPC beam. This procedure provides good interaction between the CFRP reinforcement and the glued steel insert and allows for the fast and simple assembly of structures. The weaving of additional layers of the CFRP reinforcement around HPC beams was also explored. A small structure made of the hollow HPC beams with inner composite reinforcement was constructed to demonstrate the possibilities of the presented technology.

The article deals with the methods of the in situ assessment of timber members. In recent years, new methods have emerged based on methods such as on thermography or X-ray radiography. The objective of the research is to determine whether the density of inbuilt timber members may be identified by means of radiometry. Unlike the currently used penetration methods, it is a purely non-destructive method, which is of particular importance mainly in historic timber structures. The measurement was performed on timber specimens of different cross-sections coming from several species of coniferous as well as deciduous trees. In the next phase, acoustic methods were used to determine the mechanical properties, and the resulting values were compared against the values from conclusive tests.

Structures made of textile-reinforced concrete can reach minimal thickness which results in attractiveness and saving primary resources. This paper presents the application of textile-reinforced concrete on cantilever staircases. The goal was to design a subtle and architecturally interesting staircase which would be easily build from prefabricated parts. The advantage of textile-reinforced concrete is the combination of non-corrosive reinforcement and fine-grained concrete which results in minimal dimensions which would not be possible with normal concrete and steel reinforcement. This work is focused on the design of cantilever staircase. Its load bearing capacity was also experimentally determined with the focus on the interaction between the prefabricated parts.