The paper deals with the application of the extended Kalman filters in the control structure of a two-mass drive system. In the first step only linear extended Kalman filter was used for the estimation of mechanical state variables of the drive including load torque value. The estimation algorithm showed good robustness to mechanical parameters variations. For the system with some parameters changing in the wide range, simultaneous estimation of the state variables and chosen system parameters is required. For this reason the non-linear extended Kalman filter, which estimates simultaneously state variables and mechanical parameters of the two-mass drive system, was developed. Parameters of covariance matrices of used Kalman filters were set using the genetic algorithm. Both proposed estimators were investigated in simulation and experimental tests, in the open-loop operation and in the state-feedback control system of the two-mass system.

The paper deals with the application of the feed-forward and cascade-forward neural networks to mechanical state variable estimation of the drive system with elastic coupling. The learning procedure of neural estimators is described and the influence of the input vector size and neural network structure to the accuracy of state variable estimation is investigated. The quality of state estimation by neural estimators of different types is tested and compared. The simple optimisation procedure is proposed. Optimised neural estimators of the torsional torque and the load machine speed are tested in the open-loop and closed-loop control structure of the drive system with elastic joint, with additional feedbacks from the shaft torque and the difference between the motor and the load speeds. It is shown that torsional vibrations of the two-mass system are damped effectively using the closed-loop control structure with additional feedbacks obtained from the developed neural estimators. The simulation results are confirmed by laboratory experiments.

Artykuł analizuje część wyników masowego badania przeprowadzonego w ramach projektu Fundacji Volkswagen na temat sytuacji językowej w Ukrainie i Federacji Rosyjskiej. Celem badań było ustalenie, w jakim stopniu polityka językowa w sferze mediów masowych i kultury spełnia oczekiwania obywateli Ukrainy. Podkreśla to regionalne podejście do strategii polityki językowej: zachodnia część kraju preferuje język ukraiński, część południowa preferuje język rosyjski, a centrum i północ zajmują pozycje pośrednie.

Methods and results of mass movement measurements on mountain slopes in northwestern Wedel Jarlsberg Land are presented in connection with morphoclimatic zones. Debris movement was investigated using fishing nets while movement of solifluction tonques was studied with series of nails. Marks and lines crosswise the investigated forms were also painted. Creeping of stone belts was measured with a use of tree-nails. Observations of these measuring points after twelve months show usability of employed methods for a record of mass movements.

The research paper presents the results of testing the strength and technological properties of molding sand with gypsum binder, the bonding process proceeded: naturally or conventionally. The tests included mass containing (parts by weight): 78 pbw. Grudzeń-Las quartz sand, 22 pbw. plaster gypsum "Dolina Nidy” and 9 pbw. water. Measurements of compressive strength, shear, tensile and bending as well as permeability and looseness were carried out on standard cylindrical samples kept in the air for 1 - 96 hours or dried at 110 oC for 1 - 8 hours. The results of the analysis were analyzed in connection with the mass structure and construction binding bridges warp grains observed with a scanning microscope (SEM). The influence of drying intensity on the bonding process and related mass properties has been demonstrated, especially from the point of view of the possibility of selection and / or intensification of a specific curing method for use in the production of gypsum binger molds and cores.

Traditional mass balance measurements by stake readings and snow surveying have been conducted annually since 1996 on the Waldemar Glacier (= Waldemarbreen) in northwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Several indirect methods were also used for estimating its mass balance. These methods were divided into two major groups: climatological and geodetic. A comparison of the latest map (2000) with that of 1978 and climatological records enable us to calculate the change in the mass balance of Waldemarbreen over 34 years. These methods include air temperature and degree-day (PDD) models. The average mass balance of Waldemarbreen, computed by climatological methods, was -0.42 m a-1 of water equivalent (w.e.) for the period 1970-2004, and -0.51 m w.e. for 1996-2004. These balances were compared with the glaciological balance for the period 1996-2004, -0.53 m w.e.. The mass balance was also computed using geodetic method, giving -0.52 m of w.e. from 1978 to 2000. It is suggested that, from these results, the approach used for Waldemarbreen might be also useful for estimation the mass balances of other small Svalbard glaciers which terminate on land.

Classification of water masses in the area investigated during the 1981 FIBEX Expedition and two winter expeditions at the "H. Arctowski" Station using the method of Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) is presented. Four basic water masses (warm and cold Bellinghausen Sea surface waters, surface Weddell Sea waters, Circumpolar Warm Deep Water (CWDW) and the transitional zone) were observed in the area and a significant dependence of water masses distribution ón depth was found. A strong winter increase in the Weddell Sea waters influence was recorded.

A “rock bridge”, defined as the closest distance between two joints in a rock mass, is an important feature affecting the jointed rock mass strength. Artificial jointed rock specimens with two parallel joint fractures were tested under uniaxial compression and numerical simulations were carried out to study the effects of the inclination of the rock bridge, the dip angle of the joint, rock bridge length, and the length of joints on the strength of the jointed rock mass. Research results show: (1) When the length of the joint fracture, the length of the rock bridge, and the inclination of the rock bridge stay unchanged, the uniaxial compressive strength of the specimen gradually increases as the inclination of the joint fracture increases from 0° to 90°. (2) When the length of the joint fracture, the length of the rock bridge, and the inclination of the joint fracture stay unchanged, the uniaxial compressive strength of the specimen shows variations in trends with the inclination of the rock bridge increasing from 30° to 150° (3). In the case when the joint is angled from the vertical loading direction, when the dip angle of the joint fracture, the inclination of the rock bridge, and the length of the rock bridge stay unchanged, the uniaxial compressive strength of the specimen gradually decreases with an increasing length of joint fracture. When the dip angle of the joint fracture, the inclination of the rock bridge, and the length of the joint fracture stay unchanged, the uniaxial compressive strength of the specimen does not show a clear trend with an increase of the length of the rock bridge.

This paper contains the result of the comparison of photogrammetric records of the state of the front zone of the Werenskiold Glacier over the period 1957-1978. Two 1:5000 maps were compared. The ice volume loss at 20 m altitude intervals (only as far up as 200 m over the sea level) and changes in the ice thickness were analysed with a network of basic squares with a 50 m side in the field, using an Odra 1305 computer. This permitted a map of the altitude changes in the glacier front to be plotted with isolines every 2.5 m. The results of the photogrammetric investigations were compared with ablation observations using ablations stakes. Taking account of the motion of the lobe the total and the mean annual ice volume loss in the front zone of the Werenskiold Glacier was evaluated for the period in question.

In the examined area three types of waters have been recorded: Surface Waters of winter modification, Warm Deep Waters and East Bransfield Strait Waters. Geographical location of Scotia Front is similar to that observed in previous years. The dynamics of waters within the examined area is high. It is reflected not only in physical and chemical parameters but also in the distribution of chlorophyll α. In the Front its total amount in a water column is greater than outside.

A simple empirical study on the orientation, diameter, and extent of radial fractures (long and short) at the vicinity of the face-perpendicular preconditioned boreholes is described. Homogenous and heterogeneous mining faces were considered when studying the orientation of radial fractures, four and five face-perpendicular preconditioning practices were used to investigate the outspread and diameter of radial fractures from one blasted drill hole to another. Long radial fractures were observed to be developed along the direction of the maximum principal stress and short radial fractures were observed to be developed along the direction of the intermediate principal stress in a homogenous mining face. On the other hand, long radial fractures were observed to be developed along the direction of the intermediate principal stress, while short radial fractures were observed to be developed along the direction of the maximum principal stress when the mining faces subjected to heterogeneous rock mass. The diameters of the radial fractures observed were inconsistent and were not nine times the diameter of the original borehole. Furthermore, the extent of radial fractures from one borehole to another was noted to be gradually improved when the additional of preconditioned borehole was in place. This study maintained that the orientation of radial fractures is mostly controlled by the rock properties, however, extend and the diameters of the radial fractures are controlled by rock properties, the effectiveness of the stress wave and gas pressure and brittleness of the rock mass.

Podziemna eksploatacja górnicza wywołuje w górotworze zmiany pól przemieszczeń i naprężeń. W przypadku prowadzenia podziemnej eksploatacji w pobliżu zbiorników odpadów poflotacyjnych niezmiernie ważne jest wyznaczenie zakresu osiadania górotworu pod fundamentami podstawy zapór ziemnych otaczających te zbiorniki. Dokładność rozwiązania MES jest głównie zależna od jakości danych geomechanicznych charakteryzujących poszczególne geologiczne warstwy górotworu oraz regiony górotworu, w których prowadzona jest eksploatacja. Jeżeli wartości osiadań na powierzchni obliczone przy zastosowaniu MES i pomierzone niwelacją geodezyjną nie są zgodne, wtedy wartości modułów Younga charakteryzujących regiony eksploatacji są korygowane. W niniejszym artykule została przedstawiona opracowana metoda analizy MES deformacji górotworu dla kopalni podziemnej w celu określenia wpływu eksploatacji górniczej na przemieszczenia powierzchni terenu w rejonie filara ochronnego zapory zachodniej zbiornika odpadów poflotacyjnych (Obiektu Unieszkodliwiania Odpadów Wydobywczych – OUOW) Żelazny Most. W badanym obszarze prowadzona była eksploatacja górnicza systemem komorowo-filarowym z ugięciem stropu (R-UO) w latach 2008–2016 oraz planowana jest podobna na lata 2017–2019 systemem komorowo-filarowym z podsadzką hydrauliczną ze względu na zwiększenie miąższości złoża.

W Polsce podstawowym źródłem energii elektrycznej i cieplnej jest nadal węgiel kamienny i brunatny. Podczas procesu spalania węgli powstają duże ilości produktów ubocznych, m.in.: popioły lotne, żużle paleniskowe oraz dostające się do atmosfery szkodliwe związki chemiczne w postaci gazu (CO2, NOx, związki siarki). Popioły lotne, z uwagi na swoją dużą miałkość (zbliżoną do cementu), skład chemiczny i fazowy oraz reaktywność, znalazły szerokie zastosowanie w rozwiązaniach technologicznych, m.in.: w produkcji cementu zwykłego, masywnego, hydrotechnicznego oraz cementów nowej generacji. Stosowanie odpowiedniego dodatku popiołów lotnych ma pozytywny wpływ na właściwości świeżego i stwardniałego betonu, a także umożliwia proekologiczne i ekonomiczne wytworzenie mieszanki cementowej. Eksploatacja bogactw naturalnych Ziemi związana jest z wykonywaniem na różnych głębokościach wyrobisk górniczych. Po pewnym czasie pułap wyrobiska ulega załamaniu, co pociąga za sobą obsunięcie się górnych warstw i wytworzenie się na powierzchni ziemi zagłębienia, tzw. niecki lub zapadliska. Taki rozwój sytuacji, wymusza potrzebę wzmacniania podłoża oraz uszczelniania górotworu. Aby zminimalizować ryzyko związane z problemami geotechnicznymi na terenach pogórniczych, należy stosować takie rozwiązania inżynierskie, które w sposób uniwersalny, ekonomiczny oraz wydajny poprawią nośność gruntów. Prowadzi to do rozwoju badań nad nowymi recepturami cementu stosowanego podczas prac geoinżynieryjnych, zwłaszcza na terenach górniczych. Co więcej, wymagania ekonomiczne zmuszają inżynierów do stosowania tańszych rozwiązań techniczno- technologicznych przy jednoczesnym zachowaniu właściwości wytrzymałościowych. Przykładem takiego rozwiązania jest użycie odpowiednich dodatków do receptur zaczynów uszczelniających, które zmniejszają całkowity jednostkowy koszt zabiegu.