The paper deals with the constructions from jet grouting (JG), which is one of the most modern methods of special geotechnical works. JG is the technique of mixing in-situ soil with the energy of high-pressure jet of slurry. The definitions and types of JG are given in the first part: single fluid, double fluid and triple fluid. The second part concerns JG implementation technology and also lists the necessary activities in designing and implementing JG elements and structures. In the third part, examples show the field of use of JG, including deep foundations, for which the example of static load test is given.

In this paper, the authors consider the aspects of routine procedure compared to the expert approach in solving construction defects and failures. For better orientation in the issue the basic terminology of defects and failures sphere is given. Also, the authors describe in details the course of both solutions, contemplate their specific aspects and point out their consequences. An essential part of the article is presentation of the potential benefits of the expert approach, the advantages of the expert approach are emphasized in the conclusion.

The paper discusses the importance of water absorption of traditional building materials and the ability of traditional non-insulated buildings to withstand rising damp. It also draws attention to some of the risks involved in reducing the water absorption of building materials designed for remediation of moisture and salts problems of traditional buildings.

This article describes how to monitor panel house faults. Object movements are measured by a Hollan deformeter (used to measure changes in crack widths and joints) and by floor leveling.

Oak dowels find its use in carpentry joints, reconstructions of buildings and, also, dowel-joined CLT panels put together without adhesives. The article deals with influence of manufacturing techniques and shape of the cross-section on the bearing capacity of the dowels. Round shape (turning and perforation through steel hole) and hand hawing to the octagonal shape was tested. The results show negligible influence of manufacturing techniques on studied quantity.

The paper presents the results of experimental analysis and an analytical model describing the behavior of racking shear walls made of mechanically joined cross laminated timber. Tests of wall panels, tests for determination of stiffness of layers’ joints and material tests were carried out as part of experimental analysis. Outputs from the layer stiffness tests and material tests are used as input data for the analytical model. The analytical model is based on a component method that considers a wall panel as a system of interconnected elements. The action of the elements is described by springs with defined stiffness. The results of the experiments and the analytical procedure are then compared with each other.

The article briefly introduces basic technical terminology, errors and computational algorithms for estimating uncertainty of type A, type B, combined and extended uncertainty of test results and that the test management performs the tasks specified in the standard ČSN EN ISO / IEC 17025.

Treatment of wood surfaces with various finish coating materials is recommended for long term protection of wood products exposed outdoor. However, in practice it can happen that wood in constructions has been attacked by wood decay fungi before to application of a finish. In this work, selected properties of sapwood and heartwood of pine (Pinus sylvestris, L.) surface such as surface roughness and adhesion of coating film were investigated on the surfaces attacked by wood decay fungi (Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor) and wood staining fungus (Aureobasidium pullulans). Two coating materials useable for wooden constructions in exterior conditions were used: dark brown long-oil alkyd-based system and light brown oil-based surface treatment. The result of the pull-off test for adhesion of both surface treatments was significantly greater on the heartwood surfaces than on the sapwood surfaces of the sound wood. With the increasing time of wood degradation by fungi, the adhesion of the alkyd surface treatment decreased on the sapwood. Adhesion of the oil surface treatment was comparable on the both sound and decayed wood. According to the disruption analysis following the pulling of the dolly, the weakest point was the surface layer of the wood impregnated with coatings. The adhesion of the both surface treatments is comparable to the sound and wood affected with the staining fungus.

The paper deals with some selected imperfections and failures detected during design of construction work and survey of panel buildings within last few years.

The paper deals with a case study of building defects inspection of Lužánky Free Time Centre in Brno. It is described the history of the building and the building diagnostics. There were used the survey methods of visual-defectoscopic inspection, semidestructive diagnosis and diagnosis of foundations and foundation soil. The conclusions contain recommendations for immediate and long-term solution of the object's static problems.

Rebound hammers complying with the specifications of ČSN EN 12504-2 resp. ČSN 73 1373 is used primarily for the determination of compressive strength of concrete in the structure. The paper presents the knowledge of the use of mechanical rebound hammer with impact energy of 0.735 N.m (type L) for the determination of compressive strength and tensile bending of calcium silicate bricks 290 × 140 × 65 mm. Calibration relationships for compression and tensile strength bending from the rebound number are presented. In practice, the calibration relationship for compressive strength prediction is applicable, the relationship for tensile bending strength does not show sufficient tightness between the variables and can only be used provided that a refinement coefficient is defined in the sense of ČSN 73 1370.

An important part of the construction is the lifting mechanism. If it is used properly and efficiently, the schedule and the completion date of the construction can be better followed. Incorrect or inefficient use of lifting mechanisms leads to unwanted downtime, failure to meet the potential of the mechanism, or overflowing it with a number of ongoing work processes. With the help of data collection (lifting load time), we try to map the use of lifting mechanisms throughout the construction. The obtained and properly evaluated data will serve as a basis for the simulation model to assess the effective use of the lifting device on the site.

Steel structures are preferably used to build existing structures. However, when designing them, it is necessary to adhere to precise principles to avoid malfunctions during operation, such as condensation of water, in case of poorly chosen structure of the structure. Some nondestructive testing methods can be used to detect these potential defects.

Survey of the real impact of historical and older constructions and constructions realized in the present period clearly shows that wood and wood-based materials are among efficient and still promising construction materials. The paper is compiled mainly on the basis of the knowledge gained during the verification of the properties of structures, in whose design and implementation the authors participated, and on the evaluation of the results of the survey of structures for the purpose of their remediation or reconstruction.

The prestressing reinforcement has been widely used to reinforce pre-stressed and posttensioned concrete structures. The recent failures of some prestressed bridge structures, caused by corrosion of the prestressing reinforcement, had generated strong interest from engineers in the problem of reinforcement corrosion and its corrosion protection. The paper presents our experience in the diagnostics of corroded prestressed structures in connection with the possibilities restoration of them.

A wide range of requirements are laid out for stair construction, which are based on general construction requirements. These are mainly structural fire resistance, static resistance, mechanical resistance, appearance requirements and more. This article focuses on existing material and structural solutions for staircases used in modern wooden constructions and on the possibilities of using cement-fibre boards to build a staircase. The article summarizes the general advantages and disadvantages of this solution and represents the basic design solution.

The lifting mechanisms are mainly used during construction of building structures for easier manipulation with the material or formwork elements. The most complicated cases are with monolithic structures. These structures need to move large amounts of material and formwork at the same time. The effective use of the lifting mechanisms can lead to acceleration of construction. Nowadays the measured performance standards are not usable. That leads to create own database. The article deals with the collection of time data for using of the lifting mechanisms in real constructions for the process of formwork of monolithic floor structures. The evaluated data will be verified and compared by T-cycle based calculation. The article is divided on theoretical and experimental part.

Old historic masonry structures are in many cases in a poor construction-static state. The repaired building showed a loss of horizontal and vertical joints, cracks and local defects of vaults, walls, ceilings, roofs and foundations. Therefore, rigid prestressed reinforced concrete foundations have been proposed and pretensioned rods located in the lower parts of the vault arches were installed.

The article presents the modified configuration of the longitudinal shear test of composite bars based on ASTM D 4475. The aim of the experimental program is to verify the possibility of using a three-point bending test to evaluate the resin quality and resin/fibre interface. The study focuses on influence of distance between support on calculated interlaminar shear strength. The properties of the resin are influenced by the alkaline environment. Resistance of the resin and resin/fibre interface exposed to this environment was determined by the test. An influence of the alkaline environment on interlaminar shear strength of FRP members was observed on both types of tested FRP bars.

The article is focused on the analysis of connections of timber elements with doweled type steel elements. The main scope of the article is to assess a load bearing capacity and stiffness of different types of doweled connections and comparison of theoretical results with results obtained from experimental tests. Subject of the research were connections composed of C24 grade solid timber elements connected with nails, screws, dowels, threaded rods and bolts. Findings and conclusions derived from the analysis of assumed connections can be used for a design and execution of doweled type connections in timber structures.