Collective construction of topologically complex structures is one of the triumphs of social behavior. For example, many ant species construct underground nests composed of networks of tunnels and chambers. Excavation by these 'superorganisms' depends on the biomechanics of substrate manipulation, the interaction of individuals, and media stability and cohesiveness. To discover principles of ro...

Termites construct complex mounds that are orders of magnitude larger than any individual and fulfil a variety of functional roles. Yet the processes through which these mounds are built, and by which the insects organize their efforts, remain poorly understood. The traditional understanding focuses on stigmergy, a form of indirect communication in which actions that change the environment prov...

One of the challenges of field testing planetary rovers on Earth is the difference in gravity between the test and the intended operating conditions. This not only changes the weight exerted by the robot on the surface but also affects the behaviour of the granular surface itself, and unfortunatly no field test can fully address this shortcoming. This research introduces novel experimentation t...

The analysis of the Middle and Late Neolithic settlement pattern confirms thesis significant role middle Kamienna river basin in region Sandomierz Upland Iłża Forehills as base for banded flint mines area Krzemionki Opatowskie. Some settlements Funnel Beaker culture located northern central part could be related to exploitation processing the: Świeciechów raw materials. right-bank tributaries i...

Burrowers and borers are ecosystem engineers that alter their physical environments through bioturbation, bioirrigation and bioerosion. The mechanisms of moving through solid substrata by burrowing or boring depend on the mechanical properties of the medium and the size and morphology of the organism. For burrowing animals, mud differs mechanically from sand; in mud, sediment grains are suspend...

OBJECTIVE To compare the morphology of normal, healthy Gottingen minipig retinal vessels of the optic disk with experimentally induced glaucomatous optic disks in order to identify the glaucomatous excavation. Present results were compared to human glaucoma findings. PROCEDURE Sixteen eyes from eight Göttingen minipigs were studied using fundoscopic photography and fluorescein angiography. Ex...

US gas companies spend over $300 million annually detecting and repairing gas leaks in urban and suburban settings. The current approach is one of above ground leak detection and pinpointing, followed by excavation, repair and restoration. The major cost incurred is typically that of digging and restoring the excavation site. The Gas Research Institute (GRI) and the National Aeronautics and Spa...

According to construction scheme of some weak surrounding rock large span double and multi-arch tunnel works, finite element value simulation method is adopted to research weak surrounding rock deformation characteristic, anchor bolt mechanics characteristic, preliminary support and secondary lining structure mechanical characteristics, etc, and the research result shows that: repeatedly distur...

A novel experimentation and analysis technique has been developed to enable detailed investigation of robot interactions with granular regolith. This technique, the Shear Interface Imaging Analysis Tool, provides visualization and analysis capability of soil shearing and flow as it is influenced by a wheel or excavation tool. The method places an implement (wheel, excavation bucket, etc.) in gr...

Nowadays, excavators play an important role in construction machinery. Among them, pneumatic excavators are suitable selections for some specific applications, because of their advantages. As a new trend, automation of excavation helps improving productivity, safety, and reducing of operation costs, consequently, making construction works become feasible even in hostile environment. In traditio...