This paper presents the results of the research aimed at improving the accuracy of predictions regarding the maximum values of resultant components for horizontal ground vibration accelerations in areas threatened by induced seismicity. The presented solution proposes a spatial model of the ground vibration attenuation relationship based on the assumptions of the Joyner-Boore model. When performing statistical analyses to verify the models, great emphasis was placed on the correctness of applied estimation methods to meet the assumptions. The starting point for introducing spatiality into the models was the occurrence of spatial autocorrelation of the residual component when estimating the structural parameters of a model with the least-squares method. Spatial interactions were presented using weight matrices, the construction of which was based on the inverse of the distance between units. During the study, it was found that the estimated spatial model of the ground vibration attenuation relationship showed a much better match with empirical data compared to the classical Joyner-Boore attenuation model.

In this paper, a study of the lightning phenomenon and its harmful effect on Aqaba Thermal Power Station (ATPS), located in the south-western border of Jordan, is presented using the Electromagnetic Transients Program – Alternative Transients Program (EMTP- ATP). This study has been arisen due to an installation need of appropriate lightning arresters (LAs) for the 15/410 kV step-up transformers of the ATPS to eliminate the destructive effect of lightning. The simulation is carried out for two cases, once without using LAs and once more with using them. Two scenarios are applied for each of these cases, once when lightning strikes the primary side of the transformer and once more when it strikes the secondary side. The results obtained by the simulation indicate the necessity of LAs installation. This study, with using the EMTP-ATP program, is done for the first time with additional details that help researchers, designers, and engineers to get a broad overview of the ATPS in order to protect it against lightning.

Adaptive locomotion over difficult or irregular terrain is considered as a superiority feature of walking robots over wheeled or tracked machines. However, safe foot positioning, body posture and stability, correct leg trajectory, and efficient path planning are a necessity for legged robots to overcome a variety of possible terrains and obstacles.Without these properties, anywalking machine becomes useless. Energy consumption is one of the major problems for robots with a large number of Degrees of Freedom (DoF). When considering a path plan ormovement parameters such as speed, step length or step height, it is important to choose the most suitable variables to sustain long battery life and to reach the objective or complete the task successfully.We change the settings of a hexapod robot leg trajectory for overcoming small terrain irregularities by optimizing consumed energy and leg trajectory during each leg transfer. The trajectory settings are implemented as a part of hexapod robot simulation model and tested through series of experiments with various terrains of differing complexity and obstacles of various sizes. Our results show that the proposed energy-efficient trajectory transformation is an effective method for minimizing energy consumption and improving overall performance of a walking robot.

In June 2021, a tornado struck a large area in southern Moravia, causing extensive damage to property owned by individuals and legal entities. A need thus arose to speed up the process of estimating the amount of insurance indemnity. This process involved local inspections and subsequent assessment of quotations from construction companies for repairs, as the adjusters did not have the time and resources to estimate the amount of damage using the usual method, i.e. an itemised budget containing a list of works, supplies and services necessary to restore a structure to its original condition based on an on-site inspection. This article contains a retrospective analysis of the accepted quotations and evaluates differences in terms of scope and price compared to the standard procedure. Four apartment buildings were selected for assessment of the insulation and roof repairs. The results show that there are clear discrepancies between the price as determined by the itemised budget using the usual prices and the construction companies’ quotations. The analysis of the selected buildings has indicated that the quotations can by no means be accepted without first establishing the total damage and its actual scope. Major damage caused by a natural disaster will still have to be estimated on the basis of a personal inspection of the damaged property and preparation of an itemised budget created in line with the applicable pricing system.