The historical past of a building has a key influence on the variability of geotechnical conditions. These conditions change with a modification of the structural system, a change in function or only architectural elements (fashionable in a given period). In the article, various geotechnical and geophysical surveys are described, which led to a discovery of potential causes of a structural failure at historical Castle of Dukes of Pomerania in Szczecin. The investigation resulted in a discovery of an underground tunnel system constructed under the Castle, which existence was only suspected. The tunnels were constructed primarily during II World War, but also before that period. The article summarizes facts discovered due to investigation as well as historical and geological background related to the execution of the reinforced concrete and masonry tunnels. The lesson learned resulting from this discovery is that great care should be taken when historical areas are considered, even if the structure seems to be massive and robust.

The paper presents a retrospective study for selection of noise barrier for road traffic noise abatement. The work proposes the application of Fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) approach is selection of optimal road traffic noise barrier. The present work utilizes the fuzzy TOPSIS model proposed by Mahdavi et al. (2008) in determination of ranking order of various types of noise barriers with respect to the various criteria considered. It is suggested that application of this approach can be very helpful in selection and application of optimal noise barrier for road traffic noise abatement.

Thrust bearing model is developed for fluid flow calculation and for determination of bearing integral characteristics in the presence of sliding surfaces closure and shaft angular displacements. The model is based on the coupled solution of the problem of incompressible fluid flow between the sliding surfaces and the problem of bearing and shaft elements deformation under the action of the fluid film pressure. Verification of the bearing model results is carried out by the comparison versus the fluid flow calculation results obtained by STAR-CD software and the experimental and theoretical results represented in the certain literature. Thrust bearing characteristics are determined versus sliding surfaces closure and rotating disk (runner) angular displacements. The contribution of the sliding surfaces deformations into bearing integral characteristics is estimated.