Many contemporary problems in biomedicine, biophysics, and bioinformatics, as well as in numerous other fields of engineering and social sciences, can be reduced to mathematical modeling based on graph theory. Mathematical modeling is generally interpreted as the act of representing a real-world system through mathematical formulations and equations, aiming to develop and implement a model that facilitates subsequent analysis, design, and system optimization. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate, through an illustrative account of the synergy between graph theory and peptide analysis, how combinatorial optimization enables the resolution of complex biophysical problems in a computationally elegant and efficient manner. Due to their importance in analyzing and predicting peptide properties, the proposed model focuses on constructing a smaller yet representative subset of amino acid scales. To this end, a Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) approach is employed – a contemporary metaheuristic in the field of combinatorial optimization.
This paper analyzes the occurrence of urban heat islands in the City of Mostar using satellite imagery from the Landsat mission. Land Surface Temperature (LST) was derived from the thermal band for the summer period from 2021 to 2025. The analysis was conducted in a GIS environment using LST and spectral indices NDVI, NDWI, NDBI and BSI, which enable the identification of vegetated areas, water bodies, built-up surfaces and bare soil. Based on these parameters, the Environmental Criticality Index (ECI) was calculated to assess the level of thermal vulnerability in different parts of the urban area. The results indicate a clear relationship between land cover characteristics and LST and ECI values. Built-up areas and bare soil are associated with higher temperatures, while vegetation and water bodies exhibit a pronounced cooling effect. The obtained results, presented through an interactive web map, provide insight into the spatial distribution of urban heat islands and may serve as a basis for urban planning and increasing the proportion of green areas.
We are witnessing a time when climate change necessitates adaptations and new approaches to solving urban drainage problems, which affect both ecosystems and the way people live in cities. One way to adapt is through nature-based solutions (NbS), especially in urban drainage. In urban areas, traditional drainage methods have proven insufficient, highly expensive, and often ineffective regarding runoff and flood control, as well as environmental and urban ecosystem preservation. In the Republic of Croatia, nature-based solutions have been implemented in urban drainage for a number of years, and recently these tools have also been used in other disciplines, especially green urban renewal strategies, and urban planning as inseparable parts, ultimately aiming for safer water, food, and energy management.
The historical center of Palilula in Niš experienced profound spatial and symbolic change after World War II. Socialist-era policies led to the removal or alteration of much of the pre-war urban fabric, erasing historical layers and severing connections between built and natural environments. This research analyzes post-war redevelopment through historical records, urban morphology, and planning documents, assessing its long-term effects on the area and residents’ perception. A contemporary architectural-urban intervention is presented as a response, addressing tensions between historical memory, urban form, and public space. The study frames these changes within the concept of urban DAMNATIO MEMORIAE, showing how political regimes reshape urban spaces to redefine collective memory and identity.
Wetlands are among the most productive and most threatened ecosystems on the planet. This paper analyzes the Ramsar Convention, the first global international treaty dedicated to the protection of wetland ecosystems, and explores its application using the example of Hutovo Blato Nature Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The paper provides a detailed description of the historical development of the Convention, the definition and classification of wetlands, the ecological functions of wetlands, and the criteria for inclusion in the Ramsar List. Special attention is given to Hutovo Blato as an example of the successful implementation of the Ramsar Convention, with a detailed presentation of geographical characteristics, biodiversity, management, and conservation challenges of this unique wetland ecosystem. The analysis demonstrates that effective wetland protection is crucial for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
The issue of waterproofing in tunnels represents one of the key challenges of modern underground construction. The continuous action of groundwater and rock water requires systemic solutions that ensure long‑term protection of the structure and stability of the facility throughout its service life. In this context, waterproofing systems are not regarded merely as an additional protective layer, but rather as an integral component of the tunnel structure. Their efficiency depends on the interconnection of design requirements, proper substrate preparation, and technical execution in accordance with applicable standards. Particular importance is given to the role of waterproofing in preserving the mechanical and durability properties of the final concrete lining, as well as in reducing the risk of structural degradation caused by the long‑term effects of aggressive groundwater.
The paper presents static and dynamic load testing of the Svilaj interstate bridge over the Sava River. In addition to presenting the basic structural elements of the bridge, the paper briefly describes the testing method, provides the basic characteristics of the equipment used for testing, and presents some of the results of the conducted testing along with an analysis and comparison of the measured parameters. At the end of the paper, the conclusion explains that a high level of agreement between the measured parameters was determined and the performance of the structure was verified. Keywords: bridges, load testing, oscillation frequencies, displacements, stresses
This paper details the static and dynamic proof load testing of the Drivuša bridge near Zenica on Corridor Vc. It includes a description of the bridge structure and the testing methodology. The measurement process and the equipment utilized are presented. The final section provides the measurement results and their comparison with the theoretically calculated values. It has been determined that the measured results correlate well with the numerical calculations. Keywords: bridges, load test, oscillation frequencies, displacements, stresses
The paper presents static and dynamic load testing of the Hercegovina bridge over the Neretva River. In addition to presenting the basic structural elements of the bridge, the paper briefly describes the testing method, and provides the basic characteristics of the equipment used for testing. The conducted tests included measurements of vertical displacements, strains and accelerations. Given the excessiveness of the testing, the paper presents the most important results, along with an analysis and comparison of the measured parameters. These procedures determined the static and dynamic characteristics of the constructed structure with the aim of assessing the quality of construction. Keywords: bridges, load testing, oscillation frequencies, displacements, strains, stresses
This paper presents the application of the pulse echo test (PET) method at 22 positions of a foundation element with a height of 1.4 m, aiming at a non-invasive assessment of the quality of the produced concrete. Additional verification was carried out through destructive testing by coring at positions 1 and 21, where the parameters of bulk density, moisture content, porosity, and compressive strength were analyzed. Correlation analysis indicated a negative relationship between porosity and strength, as well as between moisture content and strength, with a high reliability of the regression relation (R² ≈ 0.85). Despite the limitations of the PET method for shorter elements, proper calibration and combination with destructive procedures allow for reliable interpretation. The obtained results confirm the stability of the reflectograms, uniform pulse velocity, and mechanical integrity of the concrete mass, thereby confirming the technical validity of the foundation and the applicability of the methodology in similar infrastructure projects. Keywords: non-destructive methods, tunnel, ultrasonic testing, PET method, destructive testing
The construction of residential buildings in the western part of Ilica from Kolodvorska (Station) Street, opened in 1862 on the eve of the commissioning of the South (today West) Station, to the Črnomerec stream, to which the city boundary in the west extended since the end of the 19th century, followed the 1887 Regulatory Plan. According to it, this part of the city was planned in 12 new blocks as an extension of the Lower Town. Before the adoption of the 1887 Regulatory Plan, the western part of Ilica was developed with rural-type buildings. The residential stretch of apartment buildings was built in the following decades, but the most exclusive buildings and complexes, such as the corner building of Jaroslav Kralik and the residential and business complex of Adolf Müller, were not constructed. The highest-quality period of architecture was from the end of the 19th century until World War I, with buildings and designs of Historicist (and later Art Nouveau) era. Construction companies "Kralik and Associates" (Jaroslav Kralik) and "Bösenbacher & Brkić", with Hinko Rieszner as the designer, played a leading role in the design and construction of residential buildings in terms of quality and quantity.
The European standard EN 1998-1 for the design of earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structures does not provide direct expressions for the design of reinforced concrete cores as unique complex cross-sections in building structures, which consist of two or more walls in both directions of the building, such as hollow rectangular or square cross-sections or the even more complex case of multiple connected cores in tall buildings. The standard provides design guidelines with expressions for proving local ductility for individual walls in a plane (rectangular, L, I cross-section of the wall). Numerical analysis in the computer program BIAXIAL PRO ver.3.0 has shown the possibility of designing a complex cross-section of a reinforced concrete core, which provides a more realistic insight into the behavior of such a structures. The bending resistance and ductility were analyzed in accordance with the requirements of EN 1998-1. The advantage of such a design analysis approach compared to the traditional way of observing the walls in each plane separately is highlighted. Keywords: EN 1998-1, reinforced concrete wall, concrete core, complex cross-section, load-bearing capacity, ductility
Construction of residential buildings in Ilica Street from the Infantry Barracks (since 1918 the Zrinjski Barracks) to the Črnomerec stream intensified between the two world wars It was a period without general urban regulation in force: the Regulatory Plan of the City of Zagreb would only be adopted in 1938–1940. In the 1920s, Art Deco and proto-modernist style buildings were added to Ilica by infilling gaps, and modernism emerged from the beginning of the 1930s. All barracks were in operation: six in the western part of the city (three of which in Ilica; all of them were renamed in 1918). To the west of the Cavalry (then "Duke Mišić") Barracks, which was adapted for a cotton factory in 1924, "Kaštel JSC" (from 1946 to the present PLIVA) operated from 1928 and expanded its area on several occasions. In Ilica, the Zagreb Brewery was being expanded, but there were no new industries, so the street remained an attractive residential area for the construction of residential buildings. Of the unrealized residential building projects in Ilica, the still unknown project by Drago Ibler from 1928/1929 is one of the most intriguing. Keywords: Zagreb, Ilica Street, western part of Zagreb, residential buildings between the two world wars, Drago Ibler
Abstract: The Zagreb Brewery was founded in 1892 in Gornja Ilica (today Ilica No. 224) as the Zagreb Joint Stock Brewery and Malt Factory JSC. It is one of the rare industrial plants that has operated on the same location since its foundation. It was planned as a production complex of 11 buildings that were built and expanded until the First World War, namely: 1892–1897 according to the designs of Kuna Waidmann, then 1897–1912 according to the designs of Martin Pilar, and immediately before the First World War according to the designs of the construction company "Pollak, Albert and Bornstein" (after the First World War "Pollak and Bornstein"). As a representative production complex built in the historicist (neo-Renaissance) style, it marked the western part of Ilica, introducing the first public (entertainment) content to the former periphery. After privatization in 1994, the first and most valuable building layer was devastated beyond recognition by additions, and the devastation began to a lesser extent after the Second World War. Today, the Zagreb Brewery is a protected cultural property, but there are no plans yet for its restoration. Keywords: Zagreb Brewery, Ilica, Kuno Waidmann, Janko Nikola Grahor, Franjo Klein, Martin Pilar, Pollak, Albert and Bornstein, Pollak and Bornstein
Abstract: Testing the integrity of piles is a key aspect of geotechnical analysis, and the application of non-destructive methods allows for a reliable assessment of the condition of piles without causing physical damage to the structure. This paper focuses on the application of the Pile Echo Test (PET) method for verifying the mechanical properties and quality of piles that serve as supports for portal structures. The testing showed that the measured velocities ranged from 4000 to 5000 m/s, with amplifications between 25% and 35%, indicating that the piles do not have serious structural issues and that no material degradation has occurred that would affect the load-bearing capacity or stability of the piles. By using the PET method, the integrity of the piles can be precisely determined, thereby enhancing the safety and long-term stability of portal structures. The results of this study confirm the importance of applying this method in geotechnical analyses as a reliable technique for verifying the quality of piles. Keywords: pile integrity, non-destructive methods, Kobilja Glava tunnel, ultrasonic testing, PET method
Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to assess the hydropower potential of the Bednja River for the construction of hydroelectric power plants using turbines that use the potential energy of water and those that exploit the kinetic energy of the watercourse. The location near Lovrentovec, specifically at the bridge over the Bednja River, is analyzed. Hydropower plants are classified as renewable energy sources and therefore do not have a negative impact on the environment compared to fossil fuels. Small hydropower plants can greatly contribute to the development of rural areas and thus improve the quality of life in such regions. Based on known data at the observed location and field measurements, the output power of hydroelectric power plants is calculated, depending on whether it is potential energy or kinetic energy of the watercourse. The Bednja River is one of the rivers on which it is possible to build a plant that could use the power of water to produce electricity for nearby settlements in Varaždin County. In addition to the measured data obtained through field research and the use of appropriate measuring devices, this paper also contains data related to the neighboring hydrological measuring stations Ključ and Tuhovec. With all the data obtained and the output power calculated, the results can be compared and thus the real potential of the Bednja River can be estimated. Keywords: turbines, potential energy, kinetic energy, environment, small hydropower plants
Abstract: East of the Maksimir park-forest and the Bliznec stream, the first modern complex of the University of Zagreb was built based on an architectural competition in the 1930s according to the design of the Zagreb Working Group. The pavilion complex enabled a phased construction along the main axis, Green Street, which was shifted towards the southeast with the aim of achieving uniform insolation of the southern and northern areas of the pavilions. A sequence of different architectural expressions characterizes the southern buildings, the mastodon of Pavilion IV, which degraded the original concept, Pavilion V by architects Radimir, Auf-Franić and Pleština, Pavilion VI by architects Auf-Franić and Oluić – which reinterprets the original pavilions in a contemporary way. The Green Pavilion student restaurant of 3LHD, built based on the competition, is supported by a garden frame and fits into the exceptional complex of the University of Zagreb. Realizations based on architectural competitions testify to the exceptional achievements of modern and contemporary architecture. The Faculty of Agriculture complex represents a multi-layered architectural achievement enriched by an exceptional landscaped environment, which proves the connection between top results and a quality spatial environment. Keywords: University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, modern architecture, contemporary architecture, Maksimir
Abstract: The inspiration for writing this paper lies in the character of Hercule Poirot, a fictional Belgian detective who appears in the Agatha Christie novel series. In the television series, the detective role was played by actor David Suchet. The paper, which builds on a series of works related to the phenomenon of support settlement, the occurrence of cracks and the determination of the soil reaction coefficient, shows the connection between the shape of the mustache of the actor mentioned in the series and the settlement of the middle support of a continuous girder over two spans. The sought answer was found by observing the area between the limit cases of the bending moment diagram following fractal logic. Keywords: Hercule Poirot, soil reaction coefficient, settlement of supports, fractal
Abstract: Ceramics stands out as one of the most important materials in construction, architecture, industry, and art, and their advantages compared to stone and wood make them exceptionally valuable due to their versatile application and durability. One of the key advantages of ceramics is their resistance to moisture, chemicals, and high temperatures, where stone and wood can be susceptible to damage from moisture or decay. Ceramic materials are exceptionally easy to maintain and can be easily cleaned without the use of strong chemicals. Ceramics offer a wide range of design possibilities and various surface finishes that dictate their application in space. It is possible to create different colors, shapes, and textures, allowing adaptation to different interior and exterior styles. This aesthetic flexibility makes ceramics a popular choice for architects and designers, while stone and wood, although attractive, can be limited in their range and design possibilities. Ceramics are recyclable, and their resources are often readily available, contributing to their growing popularity in modern applications. Their adaptability and durability provide not only functionality but also an aesthetic touch to any space. Keywords: ceramics, production process, binding material, technical properties of ceramics, standards and certificates
Abstract: This study investigates the geochemical and geotechnical properties of soils from Uwelu, Benin City, Nigeria (6.3861°N, 5.5827°E, 107 m altitude), to assess their engineering relevance. Samples from two sites underwent tests including specific gravity, sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, compaction, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), following ASTM and AASHTO standards. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to determine the presence of major oxides and trace elements. The soils, classified as A-2-4 and A-2-6 by AASHTO, had specific gravities of 2.55 and 2.54. The optimum moisture content was 10%, with Maximum Dry Densities (MDD) of 2.01 and 2.06 g/cm³. CBR results showed higher strength in unsoaked samples (20.11%, 6.38%) than soaked ones (9.69%, 3.24%). SiO₂ dominated the geochemistry (57.33%, 48.36%), with notable Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. The findings emphasize the value of integrating geochemical and geotechnical analyses in construction. Keywords: XRF, geochemical characterisation, geotechnical test, Atterberg’s limit, CBR
