This paper presents the experiment implementation of dilatometer Marchetti test (DMT) in definition of grain size distribution and present changes in the way the interpretation of these paper in the late years. The paper interpreted the results of the Marchetti dilatometer tests at the Campus of Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW, Stegny and Warsaw II Subway Line. Based on the laboratory test results, the grain size distribution was applied on a triangle in accordance with the Polish standard PN-86/B-02480 and European standard PN-EN ISO 14688-1, PN-EN ISO 14688-2 and the grain size distribution. The main advantage of this paper is the author’s suggestion that the nomogram will be used to determine the grain size composition of soil on the basis of DMT tests.

From the moment when Poland acceded the European Union, the country gained access to large amounts of financial resources e.g. for the development of road infrastructure. However, the use of the funds was restricted by legal procedures related to the preparation and accomplishment of these investments. For enhancement of the investment process with regard to these issues, the Polish Parliament enacted a special road law, commonly known as the “specustawa”, on acquiring land for public projects. It became effective in 2003 and will remain in force till 2020. Because this law is in effect already for over 10 years, the paper analyses both positive and negative effects of its implementation. It was confirmed that the “special law” is an indispensable legal act for fast accomplishment of a road network in Poland. It is readily, effectively and maximally utilized in the process of preparation and accomplishment of road investments. The accumulation of several administration procedures in one act gives the investors several legal possibilities of effective and fast accomplishment of such objects. However, procedural simplifications in the act increase the risk of committing an error, with irreversible effects, both technical and legal. The main problems linked with the implementation of the “special law” include the value of the pay compensations for the acquired land and attempts of expropriation beyond a range that is indispensable and necessary for the accomplishment of a scheduled road investment.

Key words: hardening slurry, fly ash from thermal treatment of municipal sewage sludge

The aim of the paper was to determine values concerning elution of selected heavy metals from the C16/20 ordinary concretes containing fly ashes which had been produced in thermal conversion of sludge and constitute 15% of the calculated cement amount. The concrete samples were comminuted into two fractions – with graining under 4 mm and under 1 mm – which were subjected to elution and then the content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Sb and Se in the resulting eluat was assayed. The heavy metal contents which have been determined are considerably lower than the maximum values defined in the directives which must be fulfilled during introduction of sewages to water or soil – i.a. the directives on the substances which are particularly harmful for the water environment and on elution limit values required for wastes to pass them as fit for storage on dumps. It has been stated on these grounds that the migration of heavy metals from concretes with admixture of fly-ashes is negligible and probably does not present problems. However, the investigations require to be continued for various classes and types of concrete and for diversified conditions of elution.

The authors also discuss the chosen park complexes describing their history, composition and vegetation. Due to the prevailing heat here, an important role in the gardens of the area plays water in: canals, fountains and cascades. Pergolas and trees designed in the parks, give shadow. In the parks there grow colorful and fragrant plants such as cypresses, orange trees, pomegranates, oleanders, myrtles, water lilies, wisteria and palm trees. Equipment and small architecture is varied in the choice of materials, textures and colors. Modern Islamic landscape architecture continues to derive from its heritage, while seeking some new forms.

In the paper it has been shown the possibilities of post-mining areas development in the two Polish mid-sized cities – Sosnowiec and Zielona Gora. The area in Sosnowiec includes part of the former “Niwka” coal mine while in Zielona Gora – former “Krośnieńska” brickyard and lignite mines operating within the Consolidierte Grünberger Gruben company. Today, the both areas are wasteland, with a strong degradation of the soil surface. Authors of this paper have proposed for the described areas the new development as a park with elements from their industrial past. Thus, in addition to recreation and leisure, the areas will have the interesting, unique features of thematic parks referring to history of the cities.

The paper discusses the retention system of storm water in the area of Warsaw Chopin Airport. Describes the adaptation of the SWMM model (Storm Water Management Model) for the Służewiecki Stream subcatchment. Presents results of the calibration and verification of the model, which were carried out on the basis of measured rainfalls and flows, as well of water levels in a retention reservoir and before/after weirs cooperating with reservoirs. The SWMM model was used for calculation of flows with probability of exceedance of 50, 20 and 10%, and then for evaluation of reduction of these flows through reservoirs in the area of airport. The degree of reduction of flows ranged from 76.4 to 77.1%.

The article presents the characteristics of the incidence and course and variability of the ice phenomena on selected sections of rivers in Przymorze which are influenced by a high level of human pressure. The study also includes the variability of forms of the ice phenomena occurring on the rivers taking into account the structure and the type of ice, which appeared in various phases of ice cover on rivers. When analyzing the variability of ice phenomena into account a number of factors; among other things, the location section of the river, which conducted the observations, the water flow in the profile of the river, the variability of water temperature in the winter and its impact on the number of days with the phenomena of ice on rivers and variability of air temperature during the winter and cool half of hydrological year, that the main factors conditioning the formation of ice phenomena on rivers. The work also included the course of the atmospheric circulation, which determines the course of the air temperature. To describe these changes, the indicator used the North Atlantic Oscillation.