Cognitive Sustainability

Mathematical model for evaluating the stress-strain state of transport structures made of prefabricated corrugated metal constructions depending on the modulus of elasticity of the foundation soil

Vitalii KOVALCHUK — 2025-09-25

The object of this study is transport structures made of prefabricated corrugated metal constructions. A method is presented for replacing the corrugated shell profile of a transport structure with a smooth orthotropic shell by recalculating the equivalent physical and mechanical parameters of the shell. Comprehensive studies of the stress-strain state of prefabricated corrugated metal structures of transport facilities were carried out using finite element modeling in the Plaxis software package. Dependencies were obtained between the vertical and horizontal deformations of the metal shell and the modulus of elasticity of the foundation soil. It was established that an increase in the modulus of elasticity of the foundation soil leads to a decrease in the vertical deformations of the metal structures. However, axial forces and horizontal deformations in the metal structures increase. At the same time, the increase in horizontal deformations is insignificant, and when the modulus of elasticity of the foundation soil exceeds 90 MPa, these deformations stabilize.

The analytic hierarchy process as a cognitive tool for evaluating switch components

Mykola Kurhan — 2025-09-28

The purpose of this study is to improve the approach to the comprehensive evaluation of switch elements by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This method makes it possible to determine their priority according to safety and efficiency criteria, as well as to justify optimal strategies for modernization and reconstruction under conditions of increasing train speeds. The scientific approach involves the use of AHP with consideration of the specific operational features of switches on high-speed railways. In particular, the study accounts for higher safety and speed requirements, decreasing maintenance costs, and the reduced service life of structural components. A hierarchy of criteria was developed, along with pairwise comparisons, the calculation of weighting coefficients, and an integrated assessment of alternatives. The application of AHP enabled the determination of the priority of each switch type based on the criteria of traffic safety, speed, operational costs, and service life. According to the analysis, the priorities of the main switch elements were established as follows: frog – 0.395; closure curve – 0.234; switch blade – 0.190; switch curve – 0.181. These results confirm that the frog is the most critical element in terms of its overall impact on safety, speed, and maintenance costs, which is primarily due to its structural complexity and high wear rate (especially under dynamic loads). The findings provide a basis for informed decision-making regarding the prioritization of repair or replacement of individual structural elements, considering the operating conditions of high-speed lines.

Deployment of Industrial Robotic Turbocharger Manipulator into the Production Process – Construction of a Crate Feeder Workstation

Miroslav Blatnicky — 2025-09-28

An industrial enterprise can remain competitive only if its production process is continually made more efficient. An analysis of operators' workload in a real-world operation involving balancing turbochargers for internal combustion engines has shown that cyclically repetitive and strenuous human work can be optimised through automated processes. For this reason, there is room for applied research, resulting in the machine's ability to reproduce only the necessary manipulation activities required in the turbocharger balancing process. Therefore, the proposed automatic line includes balancing machines to determine the amount and location of unbalanced masses on the turbocharger rotor. Following the overall resolution of the issue, a significant increase in the efficiency of a technologically feasible workplace, adapted to the needs of modern industry, is expected.

Study of loading of a universal container during sea transport

Alyona Lovska — 2025-09-28

Intermodal and combined container transportation is an inseparable part of a sustainable transportation system. Railway transport, in combination with railway ferry services, plays a crucial role within this system. The research presented in this contribution highlights the features of studies on the loading of a universal container when transported by a railway ferry. This research consisted of two stages: a study of the strength of a universal container when transported by a railway ferry, and a study of the container’s stability relative to the frame of a flat wagon. The calculation of the container’s strength was carried out using the finite element method, which is implemented in SolidWorks Simulation. It was established that the stresses in the container structure in the case of its placement on the track farthest from the bulwark exceed the permissible ones by 23%. When the container is placed on the track second from the bulwark, as well as on the middle track, the stresses are within the permissible limits. Studies of the stability against overturning of the container relative to the flat wagon frame showed that in the case of its placement on the track farthest from the bulwark, the container does not maintain equilibrium stability. Therefore, it is recommended to place flat wagons with containers on the track second from the bulwark or the middle tracks. The results of the research will contribute to the creation of recommendations for the safe transportation of containers in combined transport trains by sea, as well as the sustainable development of international freight transportation.

Microturbine design for sustainable fuels

Peter Kondor — 2025-09-28

In light of the urgent need to protect the environment and to identify viable alternatives to the depletion of fossil fuel resources, the application of sustainable fuels has become a key research focus across multiple sectors, including the automotive and aviation industries, as well as in gas turbines employed for power generation. Numerous investigations have addressed the utilization and potential integration of alternative fuels in various internal combustion engine configurations. Within the energy sector, gas turbines and microturbines are increasingly adopted—primarily for electricity generation—owing to their high efficiency, operational flexibility, and favorable performance characteristics. The present study describes the design of an experimental microturbine developed to investigate the combustion processes of selected sustainable fuels—primarily gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and biogas—under controlled laboratory conditions, with particular emphasis on fuel applicability and exhaust emissions. Experimental microturbines are frequently constructed using automotive turbochargers due to their mechanical compatibility and availability. In this work, the microturbine consists of a turbocharger sourced from a passenger vehicle and a purpose-built combustion chamber. The turbocharger incorporates a centrifugal compressor and a centripetal turbine, forming the basis for the counterflow combustion chamber configuration. The selection of the turbocharger, as well as the structural design of the combustion chamber, is supported by literature review and engineering calculations.

Optimal photo overlap for road accident documentation and reconstruction applying UAV imagery

Gábor Vida — 2025-09-29

This study investigates the optimal photo overlap for documenting and reconstructing road accident sites using drone imagery. While a general recommendation for drone imagery overlap stands at 60–80%, this research aims to determine the minimum acceptable overlap required to generate a precise 3D point cloud suitable for forensic road accident simulation. A DJI Mavic Air 2 drone captured images at 2-meter intervals over a junction and a connecting road segment from varying altitudes, following the same flight path. The experiment systematically excluded images from the original dataset, processing photo sets taken at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10-meter intervals. The corresponding point clouds were evaluated for accuracy and fragmentation. Comparisons were made regarding the number of images, the size of image sets and processing times. Additionally, 3D mesh surfaces were generated in the Virtual Crash software, and their quality was assessed. Results revealed that a 50% overlap was adequate for generating satisfactory 3D simulation environments, thereby reducing size of the raw data, the point cloud and processing time considerably. This finding is significant for forensic experts seeking efficient methods of road accident scene reconstruction, emphasizing the practicality of lower photo overlap in such scenarios.