Eva Panulinová

Monitoring of Tram Traffic Noise in the Small Curve Radius

An excessive noise exposure not only decreases work quality and productivity, it also negatively affects human health. The most accurate data on noise levels can be obtained by measurements; however this approach is really time-consuming and its application is sometimes rather complicated. More frequently, calculation methods are used. The design methodology suggested by Liberko has been used for the calculations in Slovakia since 1991 [1]. As has been proved by experience, there is a need to re-evaluate some parts of the Slovak calculation methods and extend the number of initial parameters, so that much higher accuracy could be achieved. The layout (or the location) of the railway line is one of the parameters that at all events influence the level of noise caused by tramway transport. Providing that the ride of the tramway car is ideally straight in line, the forces that develop in a curve influence the acoustic situation in the vicinity of a moving tramway car. As this parameter has not yet been taken into account in calculations, the paper presented analyses the grounds for its use in noise prognoses.

Tram squealing noise and its impact on human health

Introduction: Tramway has become a serious urban noise source in densely populated areas. The disturbance from squealing noise is significant. Curve squeal is the very loud, tonal noise emitted by tram operation in tight radius curves. Studies had reported a relationship between noise levels and health effects, such as annoyance, sleep disturbance, and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to analyze the wheel squeal noise along the tramway line in Košice, Slovakia, review the effects on human health, and discuss its inclusion in the design method. To observe the influence of a track curve on noise emission, several measurement points were selected, and the noise emission was measured both in the curve and in the straight lines employing the same type of permanent way. Results: The results in the sections with the radius below 50 m were greatly affected by the presence of a squeal noise, while the resulting noise level in the sections with the radius above 50 m depended on their radius. The difference between the average values of LAeq with and without the squeal in the measurement points with the radius below 50 m was 9 dB. The difference between the measurements in the curve sections with the radius below 50 m and those in the straight line was 2.7 dB. Conclusion: The resulting noise level in general was influenced by the car velocity and the technical shape of the permanent way. These results can be used in noise prognoses and in the health effect predictions.

Analysis of foundation failure due to changes soil parameters

The strength of soil is a key design parameter in designing foundations and other earth structures. In shallow foundation design, the capacity of the foundation to support footing load is given by the soil’s bearing capacity, which is a function of its strength parameters. Bearing capacity is the maximum pressure that the soil can support at foundation level without failure. It is a key design parameter for foundation design. Proper interpretation of shear strength parameters and the application to bearing capacity problems are presented and reviewed in this paper.The strength of soil is a key design parameter in designing foundations and other earth structures. In shallow foundation design, the capacity of the foundation to support footing load is given by the soil’s bearing capacity, which is a function of its strength parameters. Bearing capacity is the maximum pressure that the soil can support at foundation level without failure. It is a key design parameter for foundation design. Proper interpretation of shear strength parameters and the application to bearing capacity problems are presented and reviewed in this paper.

Extreme loads of subsoil and its impact on the optimization of structures

Generally known foundations function is to transfer load effects into the ground. Therefore, in their design, it is important to know not only the structure and load of the building, but also soils properties in the subsoil. Ignoring soil properties may result in an incorrect design of foundation, which may later cause a failure in building structure. In smaller buildings, an engineering-geological survey is not usually carried out, but basic data on the territory is obtained from archive reports. Geologists define recommended dispersion of values for single geology properties, which is reflected in bearing capacity of foundation soil and the dimensions of foundation foot. Base soil monitoring due to varying soil shear strength parameters under on undrained conditions due to consistency change and observation of changing dimensions of base structure confirmed the importance of conducting and evaluating engineering geological surveys for optimal design of the foundation structure.

The Possible Causes of Damage to Concrete Tanks, Numerical Experiment of Fluid-Structure-Soil Interaction

Ground-supported open top circular concrete tanks are critical and strategic structures. There tanks are used in the commercial and industrial applications to store a variety of liquids as water or other products such as liquid chemicals and hazardous substance. Damages or collapse of containers may be due to the influence of surrounding aggressive environments or an earthquake. This paper provides numerical model on seismic response of fluid - structure - soil interaction. The article also will be described impact aggressive environment in terms of standards and its impact on the quality of the concrete tank.