Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is one of the instruments for remote detection of damage of structures (cavities, cracks) which is successfully used to assess technical conditions of building objects. Most of the point clouds analysis from TLS relies only on spatial information (3D–XYZ). This study presents an approach based on using the intensity value as an additional element of information in diagnosing technical conditions of architectural structures. The research has been carried out in laboratory and field conditions. Its results show that the coefficient of laser beam reflectance in TLS can be used as a supplementary source of information to improve detection of defects in constructional objects.

3D maps are becoming more and more popular due not only to their accessibility and clarity of reception, but above all, they provide comprehensive spatial information. Three-dimensional cartographic studies meet the accuracy requirements set for traditional 2D stu-dies, and additionally, they naturally connect the place where the phenomenon occurs with its spatial location. Due to the scale of the objects and difficulties in obtaining comprehensive data using only one source, a frequent procedure is to integrate measurement, cartographic, photo-grammetric information and databases in order to generate a comprehensive study in the form of a 3D map. This paper presents the method of acquiring and processing, as well as, integrating data from TLS and UAVs. Clouds of points representing places and objects are the starting point for the implementation of 3D models of buildings and technical objects, as well as for the con-struction of the Digital Terrain Model. However, in order to supplement the spatial information about the object, the geodetic database of the record of the utilities network was integrated with the model. The procedure performed with the use of common georeferencing, based on the global coordinate system, allowed for the generation of a comprehensive basemap in a three-dimensional form.

The paper presents results of studies focused on occurrence and correlation of four main horizons of Younger Loesses: Lowest Younger Loess (LMn – after Maruszczak, 2001), Lower Younger Loess (LMd), Middle Younger Loess (LMs), and Upper Younger Loess (LMg) recorded in five sections (Politów, Wąchock, Nietulisko Małe, Komorniki and Bodzechów) in the Holy Cross Mountains area. All analysed loesses were accumulated during the Vistulian Glaciation (Weichselian). The horizons were distinguished based on separating interstadial tundra soils, coupled with thermoluminescence dating, and correlated with marine oxygen-isotope stages MIS 5d−2. The Lowermost Younger Loess (LMn) covers the Nietulisko I soil complex (Jersak, 1973), developed on deposits of the Odranian Glaciation (MIS 6) and representing a forest soil of the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) and the Brørup warming (MIS 5c). A thin horizon of the Oldest Younger Loess and a thin sandy horizon, both probably corresponding to the Herning cooling phase (MIS 5d) at the boundary with the Eemian Interglacial, were distinguished within this complex. Based on previously performed grain-size and heavy mineral analysis of the Upper Younger Loess (LMg) and a topographic position of the loesses in four loessy islands of diverse regional extent, accumulation of this loess in the Holy Cross Mountains area is found to have been stimulated by the western winds. The proposed model of loess accumulation takes into account the influence of the topography of the area and its geological structure.

The paper deals with frequency estimation methods of sine-wave signals for a few signal cycles and consists of two parts. The first part contains a short overview where analytical error formulae for a signal distorted by noise and harmonics are presented. These formulae are compared with other accurate equations presented previously by the authors which are even more accurate below one cycle in the measurement window. The second part contains a comparison of eight estimation methods (ESPRIT, TLS, Prony LS, a newly developed IpDFT method and four other 3-point IpDFT methods) in respect of calculation time and accuracy for an ideal sine-wave signal, signal distorted by AWGN noise and a signal distorted by harmonics. The number of signal cycles is limited from 0.1 to 3 or 5. The results enable to select the most accurate/ fastest estimation method in various measurement conditions. Parametric methods are more accurate but also much slower than IpDFT methods (up to 3000 times for the number of samples equal to 5000). The presented method is more accurate than other IpDFT methods and much faster than parametric methods, which makes it possible to use it as an alternative, especially in real-time applications.

It is essential for oceanographers to study the effects of marine phenomena such as currents, surface mixed layer, eddies, internal waves, and other ocean features on acoustic propagation, as most marine measurement equipment operates on this basis, like sonar. The eddy impact on acoustic transmission in the marine environment is very significant because changes in temperature and salinity disrupt the sound speed due to the presence of eddy, thus the acoustic propagation in the sea. Although cold eddies are in the Persian Gulf widely, one eddy is selected to study their impacts on acoustic propagation because they have similar properties in terms of temperature and salinity. In this research, after identifying eddies in the Persian Gulf automatically, the effect of a cold eddy on acoustic propagation was investigated at different depths using the BELLHOP model. Most eddies are cyclonic with 5–10 km of radius based on algorithm outputs. Studies on the lifespan of eddies showed that the occurrence of cyclonic eddies with a lifespan of more than three days is more than anticyclonic ones. Examination of the eddy effect on acoustic propagation showed that the transmission loss (TL) during the progress of the acoustic wave across the eddy increases with increasing the depth of the sound source. Also, the presence of cold eddy compared to the conditions it does not exist increases the transmission loss. The study of three-dimensional acoustic propagation also confirmed the obtained results in two-dimensional mode and clearly showed the role of cold eddy in increasing the TL.

A hybrid multi-infeed HVDC (HMIDC) system is composed of line-commutated converter-based high-voltage direct current (LCC-HVDC) and voltage-source converterbased high-voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC), whose receiving ends have electrical coupling. To solve the problem of low-frequency oscillation (LFO) caused by insufficient damping in the HMIDC system, according to the multi-objective mixed H2/H∞ output feedback control theory with regional pole assignment, an additional robust damping controller is designed in this paper, which not only has good robustness, but also has strong adaptability to the change of system operation mode. In the paper, the related oscillation modes and transfer function of the controlled plant are obtained, which are identified by the total least squares estimation of signal parameters via rotary invariance technology (TLS-ESPRIT). In addition, the control-sensitive point (CSP) for suppressing LFO based on the small disturbance test method is determined, which is suitable for determining the installation position of the controller. The results show that the control sensitivity factor of VSC-HVDC is greater than that of LCC-HVDC so that adding an additional damping controller to VSC-HVDC is better than LCC-HVDC in suppressing the LFO of HMIDC. Finally, a hybrid double infeed DC transmission system with three receiving terminals is built on PSCAD/EMTDC where the time-domain simulations are performed to verify the correctness of the CSP selection and the effectiveness of the controller.

Wind turbines are among the key equipment needed for eco-friendly generation of electricity. Maintaining wind turbines in excellent technical condition is extremely important not only for safety but also for efficient operation. Studies indicate that defects in the external structure of a turbine blade reduce energy production efficiency. This research investigated the potential of the terrestrial laser scanning technology to examine the technical conditions of wind turbine blades. The main aim of the study was to examine whether terrestrial laser scanning measurements can be valuable for wind turbine blade condition surveying. The investigation was based on the radiometric analyses of point clouds, which forms the novelty of the present study. Condition monitoring focuses on the detection of defects, such as cracks, cavities, or signs of erosion. Moreover, this study consisted of two stages. The next objective entailed the development and examination of two different measurement methods. It was then identified which method is more advantageous by analysing their effectiveness and other economic considerations.

Significant subsoil deformation and additional loads from the new denitrification unit caused a major problem with the load-bearing capacity of the coal power plant. It was necessary to perform an advanced assessment of the technical condition of the structure. Laser scanning (LiDAR) were used to obtain detailed data upon structure. Based on the analysis of the point cloud, the location of the column axes was determined, which allowed to determine the global and local displacements of the structure. Spatial models of the structure were created. Non-linear analyses of the structure were carried out using two types of models: 1) global beam-shell 3D models of the boiler room used to calculate the magnitude of internal forces and deformations of the structure; 2) local beam-shell detailed models of selected structural elements. Based on the results of the calculations, necessary reinforcement of the structure was designed and successfully implemented. Advanced analysis of the structure using laser scanning, subsoil monitoring and complex numerical models made it possible to perform only local reinforcements of the entire complex structure.