In current river management, we very often use environment-friendly hydraulic structures when it is required for river bed or river bank protection due to erosion of a river channel. Block ramps are one of many methods used to stabilize river beds. They provide a semi-natural solution to certain river engineering problems in mountain streams. When building block ramps, one can use the dissipative behavior of large rock blocks or boulder elements randomly placed on the river bed to enhance fish migration in an upstream direction; thus, they can serve as fish passes. In this paper, we present the results of the numerical modelling of a bed load transport and the morphological changes of a river bed where a block ramp was designed and built. The main aim of the study was to investigate the difference of 2D modelling of a bed load transport along the mountain stream reach with boulder ramps in comparison to the classical methods of Hjulström, Shields, and Russian standard ST-24-2396. The work was carried out on the stream of one of the chosen low-head hydraulic structures, where 25 identical block ramps were constructed for river training reasons. The novel approach of our study is, for the first time in the field, to show a very detailed analysis of block ramp influence on sediment transport and river morphology changes compared to the classical understanding of those phenomena, as well as 2D model results to give hydraulic engineers an inside look into classical and modern approaches of bed load transport calculations. This might be helpful for designing such kinds of hydraulic structures in the future, in all regions where sediment transport calculations are important but do not always require sophisticated modelling.

In this article, the possibility and the pertinence of using 3D printed polymeric materials for models in modal tests on shaking tables were recognized. Four stages of the research have been linked: The material properties investigation, the field experiment on the modal properties of the reinforced concrete chimney (a prototype), the shaking table tests on the modal properties of the 3D printed polymer model of the chimney, scaled according to the similarity criteria, and the numerical calculations of the FE model of the 3D printed mockup. First, the investigation of the properties of 3D printed polymer materials revealed that the direction of lamination had no significant effect on the modulus of elasticity of the material. This is a great benefit, especially when printing models of tall structures, such as chimneys, which for technical reasons could only be printed in a spiral manner with the horizontal direction of lamination. The investigation also proved that the yield strength depended on the direction of the lamination of the specimens. Next, the natural frequencies of the chimney, assessed through the field experiment and the shaking table tests were compared and showed good compatibility. This is a substantial argument demonstrating the pertinence of using 3D printed polymer materials to create models for shaking table tests. Finally, the finite element model of the 3D printed polymer mockup was completed. Modal properties obtained numerically and obtained from the shaking table test also indicated good agreement. The presented study may be supportive in answering the question of whether traditional models (made of the same material as prototypes) used in shaking table tests are still the best solution, or whether innovative 3D printed polymer models can be a better choice, in regard to the assessment of the modal properties and the dynamic performance of structures.

Celem pracy jest poznanie możliwości i uwarunkowań stosowania modeli wykonanych w technologii druku 3D do badań dynamicznych. Zaprezentowano metodę i wyniki badań określających parametry fizykomechaniczne polimeru PLA-IMPACT drukowanego z różnymi kątami rastrowania. Badania wykazały, że wartość modułu sprężystości polimeru nie zależy od kąta rastrowania, natomiast na granicę plastyczności ma wpływ kierunek laminacji, co wpływa w istotny sposób na realizację modeli obiektów do badań dynamicznych.

The paper presents the advantages of suspension buildings and structures in comparison with the traditional buildings. It has been demonstrated, that during an earthquake the strains in the support structures of such buildings and structures are significantly reduced compared to the strains in traditional cantilever buildings. The advantage of the suspension structures is shown by the example of a water tower with a tank of a capacity of 50 m³. Various schemes of the considered construction are given: the construction freely suspended on the bearing frame, the construction with the suspended foundation (prototype). These schemes are compared with the scheme of the cantilever structure. It is proved that the dynamic forces arising from the ground oscillation in the suspended structure are less than the forces in the cantilever structure. The strains depend on the frequency and amplitude of the ground vibrations. The scheme of the forces’ adjustment by means of springs (dampers) is given. It is illustrated that by changing the flexural stiffness of the bearing frame, changing the stiffness of the damper, it is possible to adjust the frequency of oscillations and forces in the suspension building or structure.

Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to analyze the hydrodynamic parameters in the area of one of the block ramp in the analyzed stream. Material and methods: The field research included geodetic measurements on the basis of which the longitudinal profile and cross-sections of the watercourse bed and structures were made. Numerical modelling of flood flows was also performed in the HEC-RAS program, from which hydrodynamic data were obtained. The data obtained from field measurements and numerical modelling were used to calculate the length of the energy dissipation basins of the structure and to determine the type of water movement using the Froude number. The calculations were performed for several variants. The real lengths of the energy dissipation basin were compared with the lengths of hydraulic jumps that are formed on them. Results and conclusions: The obtained results indicate that the length of the energy dissipation basin is too short because the hydraulic jumps go beyond them. As a result, a scour is formed below the structure, which in the event of further development may threaten the stability of the structure.