Researchers have verified an experimental method that separates the cohesive and frictional contributions to the mechanical behavior of early-age concrete. Published in Smart Construction, the study shows that the loss of macroscopic shear strength and stiffness in 3-day concrete is fundamentally linked to the irreversible dissipation of cohesive strength, while frictional effects become increasingly dominant as damage develops.

Scientists from HSE University, MSU, and Tallinn University of Technology have studied a fossil species of ancient brachiopods that lived in a warm sea in what is now northern Estonia more than 445 million years ago. These ancient brachiopods developed a cup-shaped shell with a protective 'cap' that shielded them from overgrowth by other marine organisms. The study has been published in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.

Contemporary civil engineering practices highlight the need for safer, more reliable, uplift-resistant foundations for lifeline infrastructure and also seek solutions for environmental and social problems associated with surplus soil from construction projects. Using surplus construction soil, researchers have developed a winged composite pile system that can enhance uplift resistance. This approach supports cleaner and safer construction practices, helping projects achieve environmental goals without sacrificing structural integrity.