In the article, the authors compare the levels of reliability of steel structures designed according to the Eurocodes and the standards of the Russian Federation. Major differences between basic principles of both standards (such as load combinations, the system of partial factors) with a particular focus on design of steel structures are described. The main parameters characterizing load effects and resistances are compared in general. In the numerical example, the reliability of generic steel members is analysed for different combinations of permanent and variable actions. It appears that in most cases standards of the Russian Federation assure a lower reliability level than the Eurocodes. The main reason for this difference is attributed to the specification of design values of permanent and variable loads. For both considered systems of standards, reliability of structures exposed to snow loads is significantly lower than the reliability of structures exposed to imposed loads; therefore, harmonisation is required in this regard. Further studies concerning more complicated structural elements made of various grade steels and exposed to wind actions are needed.

The article deals with the planning concept of transport interchange hubs providing trans-regional bus transportation. According to the ever growing passenger traffic and the number of spatial planning documents, trans-regional bus route networks develop very rapidly in Russia. The findings of the poll of passengers demonstrate their high loyalty to trans-regional bus transportation networks due to their convenient arrangement and little time expenditures (compared to other means of transport). However, little attention is driven by specialized domestic sources to the planning concepts of transport interchange hubs having bus terminals within their structure; the regulatory documentation is missing. One of feasible ways to resolve the issue is to study the international practice of design and construction of transport interchange hubs having bus terminals as the key points providing trans-regional bus transportation.In this article, the transport interchange hub of Matsumoto, Japan, serves as the sample. The author considers its composition and functional site division. The author also performs a detailed analysis of the main elements of the hub, including the design of its pedestrian routes ensuring its functional and spatial unity. Moreover, the author considers the planning structure of a bus terminal and arrangement of retail trade facilities and service areas inside it.

The author focuses on the issues of arrangement and positioning of main streets in the urban structure. Principles of organization of main streets, identified on the basis of Russian and foreign examples and differentiated with respect to central, middle and peripheral areas of the city, are analyzed in detail. The aforementioned principles, specified by the author, are considered as a means for (1) the revival of the urban social activity, and (2) the increase of the attractiveness of near-highway areas for pedestrians. Each of the above principles is implemented in varied areas of cities; however the most frequently used principles are: pedestrian accessibility, urban space unity, priority of pedestrians, subordination of new structures to the architectural heritage in the central areas of cities;easy transport accessibility, anthropocentricity, functional intensity, comfortable urban environment in the middle areas of cities;traffic safety, aesthetic quality of the urban environment, intensive use of the underground space in peripheral areas of cities.

The article covers the problems of reconstruction of the famous sculptural group designed by V.I. Mukhina «Worker and Collective Farm Girl», created in the 1930s for the Soviet pavilion of the universal exposition in Paris in 1937. The author considers the structural and cultural features of the monument and drives attention to the synthesis of architecture and sculpture in the pavilion designed by B.M. Iofan.The author also emphasizes some constructive features of the sculpture such as the scarf which is an important compositional and constructive element, and describes the process of preparation of the sculpture to construction in Paris and assembly in Moscow after The Paris World Exposition. The author touches the problem of the sculpture installation in Soviet period. The author performs a comparative analysis of the sculpture before and after its reconstruction and covers the aspects of construction works, including the construction of a new modern pavilion, or a pedestal for the sculpture.

Russia was a regular participant of the World Expos and an organizer of several international exhibitions in Moscow, St.Petersburg and other Russian cities. The value of the Russia’s contribution into the history of the World Expos is substantial and versatile. Russia’s participation in the Universal Expositions produced a strong impact on the development of the exhibition economy, architecture, construction machinery, engineering, and urban development. In its turn, urbanization produced its impact on the development of Expos. Major Russian architects, sculptors and designers created exceptional and original works in a variety of styles; they employed versatile construction methods and techniques. Trade fairs served as the venues for experimental buildings constructed in furtherance of the most advanced designs and technology-related inventions. Russia’s participation in the construction of pavilions at the World Exhibitions gave way to a unique architectural trend, whereby three-dimensional solutions, the architecture of pavilions, landscape products, landscapes and even music got together in the organic unity. This artificial artistic medium represents a new type of the architectural ensemble.

The superelement of the rectangular cross section column designed by the authors earlier for the linear analysis purposes is now applied to analyze the same column with account for the geometric nonlinearity. The superelement is composed of eight solid finite elements. The stiffness matrix technique, the initial stress matrix and the analysis of the vector of unbalanced nodal forces are described.The procedure for excluding internal degrees of freedom of a superelement, using the layer-by-layer reduction method, is described in detail. All calculation formulas are provided in the article. The element, developed by the authors, was adapted to PRINS finite element software; therefore, it can be used to perform the nonlinear analysis of building structures. The console beam, having a rectangular cross section, was analyzed in transverse longitudinal bending to verify the developed element. The comparison of the theory and calculations using PRINS software proved the accuracy of the proposed technique.

One-parametric dependence of the uniform elongation on the total elongation is tested on the basis of preliminary studies. It makes it possible to assess static and cyclic parameters of steel forgings with the thickness values up to 500—800 mm, although no time-consuming and labour-intensive experiments are needed.The total elongation consists of uniform and concentrative components. The uniform elongation corresponds to the maximum loading value attained in the process of static tension testing. The special feature and the advantage of this feature is its independence from the shape of samples exposed to testing procedures. This feature is employed to determine the per-unit performance of plastic strain of steel in terms of brittle failure and fatigue resistance of metals. The uniform elongation correlates with the elasticity used to evaluate the cold brittleness of metal materials. Thus, the assessment of the uniform plastic deformation is needed to make an educated choice of materials and analyze the conditions of processing industrial and structural steels.

The author considers the method of two-sided evaluations in the problems of stability of a one-span elastic non-uniformly compressed rod under various conditions of fixation of its ends.The required minimum critical value of the loading parameter for the rod is the minimum value of the functional equal to the ratio of the norms of Hilbert space elements squared. Using the inequalities following from the problem of the best approximation of a Hilbert space element through the basic functions, it is possible to construct two sequences of functionals, the minimum values of which are the lower evaluations and the upper ones. The basic functions here are the orthonormal forms of the stability loss for a rod with constant cross-section, compressed by longitudinal forces at the ends, which are fixed just so like the ends of the non-uniformly compressed rod.Having used the Riesz theorem about the representation of a bounded linear functional in the Hilbert space, the author obtains the additional functions from the domain of definition of the initial functional, which correspond to the basic functions. Using these additional functions, the calculation of the lower bounds is reduced to the determination of the maximum eigenvalues of the matrices represented in the form of second order modular matrices with the elements expressed in the form of integrals of basic and additional functions. The calculation of the upper bound value is reduced to the determination of the maximum eigenvalue of the matrix, which almost coincides with one of the modular matrices. It is noted that the obtained upper bound evaluations are not worse than the evaluations obtained through the Ritz method with the use of the same basic functions.

Differential equations of motion for a bar are provided in this paper. The bar is exposed to the applied force that intensifies as the time progresses. The condition substantiating the trans-versal inertia force is identified using the equations. On top of the emerging inertia force, brief high-speed stress increases the yield stress of the material.The external force is accompanied by the eccentricity. Therefore, linear dimensions of the bar and its eccentricity make plastic behaviour possible both in compressed and stretched areas of the rod sections. Patterns of distribution of plastic deformations (one-sided and double-sided yield) are generated using the equations of motion for each case. Cauchy problems are supple- mented by the incoming conditions according to the principle of continuity of displacement and velocity.The criterion of stability loss is a condition when the variation of the exterior torque equals to the variation of the interior torque. At the same time, the variation of a longitudinal force must be equal to zero. Having completed a series of transformations, the author obtains the stability loss functional. It is calculated simultaneously with the motion equation. When the functional is equal to zero, the bearing capacity is exhausted.Moreover, there is a simplified method of identifying the critical force. The comparison of values with the testing findings demonstrates the efficiency of employment of the approximate method.

The authors have studied three construction facilities using the method of seismic surveys. The structures exposed to the research have archeological value. The first project consisted in the identification of the position of collector ditches in the territory of the Hermitage (St.Petersburg); the second project consisted in the detailed examination of the subterranean structure of the church in the territory of the Voznesensky monastery (Aleksandrov), and the third project consisted in the study of the load bearing wall of St.Basil’s Cathedral. Each project involved the employment of the seismic method.In their studies, the authors used different types of waves, including superficial, converted, and reflected waves. The waves were vertical and horizontal. The advanced research methodology, employed by the authors, contemplated the use of specialized software. All materials provide a clear idea of the structure of the construction facilities examined by the authors.

Historic buildings of Moscow are often exposed to reconstruction and rehabilitation actions. The history of construction, demolition and new construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is multi-faceted and unique. The engineering inspection of the building’s constructions must be performed in the course of its restructuring. As a result of the engineering inspection, the study of the historic features of the load-bearing structures of the bottom part of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the building as a whole is carried out. Special attention is driven to the condition of its bottom part and deformability. As a result of the engineering inspection, the strength characteristics and the bearing capability of the building bottom part structure are specified. They are considered sufficient for the perception of additional loads, as well as dynamic loads applied by the falling crane.

Insulation is widely used in constructions of roofs, facades and fire protection. Using of dual-density allows to obtain not only a strong thermal insulation but also has a high operational stability. Product structutre is formed in the stage of mineral wool carpet and fixed during thermal processing. Manufacturing of dual-density products is based on the technological schemes of mineral wool production. Dual density slabs technology require the special complex located in the linear process flow after press unit and heat treatment camera. Units operate on lines Rockwool (in the cities of Zheleznodorozhniy, Vyborg and Elabuga) and are focused on making the roof and facade insulation with combination structure. Studying of factors influencing the production of dual density slabs process is based on a common methodology of technological analysis and methodology. Software system is developed to study processes. The complex provides individual activity of the experimenter and processing of the experimental results with the help of special computer programs developed at MSSU: “JE-STAT-15. Calculations and analysis of the factor space”, “JE-STAT-23.Construction of nonlinear models and solution interpolation and optimization problems”, “GJ-STAT-06.Processing and analytical optimization of the results of the experiment”. The experiment and processing of the results allowed to determine the degree of influence of each factor. Founded is that the greatest influence on the results have the following factors: density, binder content, fiber diameter, fiber length, degree of compaction two layers of carpet. It results in the nomogram for solving problems of interpretation and adaptation, optimization of process parameters.

The most important characteristics of any concrete that determine its operational properties are the process conditions of its formation and rheological properties of the concrete mix. The authors present the findings of a study of rheological properties of a high-strength lightweight concrete having hollow microspheres. The authors demonstrate that the concrete mix containing hollow aluminosilicate microspheres have a high water demand; therefore, they need highly efficient super- and hyper-plasticizers. The nature of the influence produced by the brand and concentration of plasticizers on the mobility of the concrete mix, as well as on the density and strength of the concrete having hollow aluminosilicate microspheres is identified. Polycarboxylate plasticizers have an additional water content reduction effect. Their application has the highest plasticizing effect and assures moderate mobility of the concrete mix and density of the cement stone. The authors have also identified the regularities in the changes of physical and mechanical properties of high-strength lightweight concretes caused by the mobility of the concrete mix. The authors have proven the feasibility of production of high-strength lightweight concretes having the compressive strength equal to 70 MPa (10,000 psi). Multi-criteria optimization proves that Melflux plasticizers have the best performance based on the cone test (the diameter of the mix spread), and they also have a high density if added to the mixtures under research. Therefore, improvement of the quality of high-strength lightweight concretes and development of high-performance structural concretes having an average density of 1,300...1,500 kg/m
³ (10.8…12.5 lb/gal) require certain technological prerequisites.

Portland cement-based concrete is widely used in civil engineering. Therefore, it is very important to determine the preconditions of corrosion of the cement concrete. The service life of concrete structures can be substantially reduced by the alkali-silica reaction. It is well known that this reaction causes formation of the sodium silicate hydrogel. Thus, by identifying this gel, a researcher can make an assumption about the reasons for the corrosion. Obviously, macroscopic quantities of sodium salts can be discerned using analytical chemistry methods. Unfortunately, determinant values of such salts in the concrete structure are usually very small. Thus, there is a need for special research methods.Raman spectroscopy is an advanced method based on the analysis of instantaneous two-photon non-elastic light scattering. This method is applicable even in case of small quantities of chemicals under research. The first successful study of silicates using Raman spectroscopy methods was performed in the 20ies of the 20th century. In this work the authors have proven that sodium hydrogels can be easily identified in the concrete using the Raman spectroscopy. In the course of the analysis of the interphase boundary between the cement stone and the aggregates, the authors observed, at least, one spectral peak which did not belong to cement or to the disperse phases of the concrete. At the same time, this peak can be classified as a peak of the sodium silicate. Thus, sodium silicate gel is generated during the service life of the structure under research, and this research has revealed the presence of the alkali-silica reaction.

In this paper, the authors study the influence of the drawback temperature of metal-ceramics composites on their mechanical properties, if composites are produced using the iron-graphite powder method. The authors have studied the microstructure of the materials and the influence that the thermal treatment produces on their strength, plastic properties and toughness. The authors have also identified specific thermal treatment parameters aimed at the improvement of mechanical properties of parts of machines and mechanisms made of the above composites. The analysis of the authors’ findings is applied to find the ways of improving the mechanical properties of machine parts produced using powder metallurgy methods.The analysis of the microstructure confirms the presence of changes in the mechanical properties of materials, namely, their plastic properties and toughness. The combination of the most efficient sintering regime (using double pre-pressing) and subsequent thermal treatment in the form of hardening and tempering can improve the mechanical properties of machine parts. The authors performed experiments to identify the best sintering conditions and improve the mechanical properties of the Fe-C composition, including its tensile and flexural strength, as well as compressive and impact strength using the above process parameters and other data obtained from the reference literature. The authors have discovered that if the sintering speed and the shrinkage ratio are maximal and vary insignificantly at the temperature near the Ac3 value and slightly above it, the mechanical properties after sintering, for example, at 870 °C and 1100°C will differ slightly.

Moscow climate is applied by the authors to study particular issues of climate projections. As part of the research, the authors developed the climatic structure of Moscow. The authors identified the interrelation between climatic and urban planning factors, on the one hand, and wind conditions, on the other hand. The urban climate is essential from the viewpoint of temperature, humidity, gas concentration, and air pollution. Any research into the urban climate includes the study of the residential housing density, efficient use of urban facilities, as well as the multi-component assessment of the wind energy potential. Any climate projections are based on the fact that Moscow is a city of the “two seasons”; therefore, any architectural and climatic analysis is employed to resolve two problems at the same time: one problem consists in the protection from wind and cold stress in winter, and the other one consists in the aeration and development of comfortable conditions in summer. The analysis of contemporary design solutions has proven that contemporary urban designers do not follow all scientific recommendations. The objective of the research is to develop the instrument that will make it possible to take account of climate projections in the assessment of the wind power potential. The practical objective is the identification of optimal locations of small wind turbines.The relationship between the wind pattern and urban planning factors is analyzed in the article. The authors provide approaches to the assessment of the wind energy potential of cities on the basis of the analysis of the international experience and classification of factors influencing the positioning of wind turbines. They also demonstrate various examples of arrangement of small wind turbines with a capacity of 1 kW. Moreover, the authors provide advanced design solutions for wind turbines. This publication is made within the framework of State Contracts 16.552.11.7064, 13.07.2012.

The problem of resource saving is particularly relevant for household waste removal systems and sewage networks in modern residential houses. Some options for the shared use of sewage networks and natural organic waste removal systems in residential buildings are assessed by the author. Layouts, operation patterns and elements of the systems are provided. Strengths of shared operation of the systems and networks are analyzed with account for the present-day requirements applicable to the systems in question. The positive factor is that residents do not need to spend money for expensive food waste disposers for their homes. They will also use garbage chutes in their houses.Joint operation of food waste removal systems and domestic sewage networks will reduce the load on landfills which has been increasing in the recent years. It will increase the load on urban sewage networks and water treatment facilities, but it will not be a critical factor, because treatment facilities are capable of purifying water without much difficulty. Processed food waste may be applied to produce fertilizers and biogas to be used as fuel. Therefore, benefits of the limited use of landfills are obvious.Waste shredding is the most convenient, efficient and nature friendly way of processing the organic waste at the initial stage of its generation. It prevents rotting typical for the organic waste if disposed together with the municipal solid waste.The experience of the United States, where food waste is treated by in-sink food erators and removed into the sewage system is less expensive for city budgets than their disposal at landfills.Food wastes consist mainly of the water (70 %); therefore, water treatment facilities assure a more natural way of processing this type of waste than waste collection and disposal. Separation of organic waste from solid waste also reduces the number of disease vectors such as flies, rodents, and cockroaches.

The authors elaborate on a new critical approach to the assessment of the concept of the “noosphere”. The basic principles of Vernadskiy’s concept of the “noosphere” are assessed from the viewpoint of the current state of the human civilization. It is proven that the key principles of Vernadskiy’s theory cannot serve as the basis for the noosphere. So far, the theory of the “noosphere” does not exist. There are just a few prerequisites for the attainment of the noosphere, due to the limited knowledge and information about the natural environment and the human ability to interact with it without inflicting any damage. The authors argue the noosphere can only be attained if and when the superiority of the anthropocentrism is overcome and the shift-over to the biocentrism is implemented. The authors insist that the concept of “sustainable development”, which is widely regarded as the primary method for overcoming the global ecological crisis, can be evaluated as a limited and purely pragmatic solution to the environmental problems arising at this phase of the human development; therefore, it may serve as the basis for the modern theory of the “noosphere” to a limited extent.The basic principles of the method of harmonization used to arrange the conditions needed for the implementation of the noosphere are considered in the article. The authors demonstrate that the co-evolutionary approach to further development of the humanity and the biosphere is the basis for the formation of the noosphere. The conclusion is that both mutualism and competition facilitate evolution. The concept of co-evolution applies to the philosophical principle of harmonization valid both for an individual person and the whole humankind. A widening gap between the research achievements and the ability of the biosphere to perceive and to assimilate them is the reason for the ecological crisis. The solution consists in the ecologization of science and technology, as well as in the generation by each person and the whole humankind of the noosphere-centered mode of thinking. Compilation of the modern theory of the “noosphere” is a key task of natural sciences to be attained through the employment of technological advancements.

Evaporation of the swimming pool water into the indoor air causes penetration of the water vapour containing chlorine derivatives into the enclosure structures and corrosion of the reinforcement due to the presence of dissolved chlorine derivatives in the water. Water vapour migration through outdoor and indoor enclosures is intensive in the cold season, but it may also occur in the warm season. Bearing elements of outdoor and indoor enclosures are now made of the reinforced concrete that has fillers — Portland cement or other types of cement and steel, metal (steel) bars of different diameters. In “ideal” conditions, the concrete must stop corrosion of the steel reinforcement, but it does not happen this way in practice, as corrosion of the reinforcement is influenced by a number of factors.The concentration of chlorides that diffuse into the concrete is lower than the concentration of chlorides in the concrete, but their corrosive influence is higher because of their “non-free” condition. The authors describe the causes and results of corrosion of the steel reinforcement caused by derivatives of chlorine and boosted by the gaseous regime inside the swimming pool building. Analysis of the cases of influence of the water containing 3% of chlorine onto the corrosion of reinforced Portland cement aimed at the reduction of the reinforcement rod diameter is performed. Corrosion of bearing structures causes the loss of strength and durability of buildings, and this process is unsafe from the viewpoint of security of people.

Erosion of a model river bed composed of spherical particles is analyzed in the article. The authors provide their summarized analysis of forces applied by the water flow onto particles of the upper layer of the model bottom soil composed of spherical particles. The authors have proven that the force producing the hydrostatic surcharge is determined by the dimensions of areas of tight particle-to-particle contacts, where a thin film of unfree water is incapable of transmitting hydrostatic pressure. This force must be considered if the particle size is below 0.03 mm. The authors have identified that the principal force responsible for the elevation of particles is the lifting force caused by the flow asymmetry in the upper soil layer. If the velocity demonstrated on the tops of particles of the upper soil layer is considered as the characteristic velocity, criterial condition of elevation of particles by the water flow is obtained as the ratio of this velocity to the hydraulic size of particles which is equal to one. The authors provide their explanation backing the above conclusion.

Turbulence of flows is the physical reason for the increase of the hydraulic resistance inside pipes and channels. Identification of turbulence suppression methods, aimed at reduction of the hydraulic resistance, constitutes an important challenge. The authors discuss the feasibility of suppression of the near-wall turbulence in pipes using the rotation of the flow. The authors argue that the centrifugal force agitated by the flow rotation is the factor capable of depressing the turbulence and stabilizing the near-wall flow.The authors have proven the hypothesis that the centrifugal pressure can suppress turbulent fluctuations. The authors compared pulsating and centrifugal pressure values to derive the criterial condition of turbulence suppression using flow rotation. Flow rotation can be generated by internal spiral finning. Dependence of the spiral step on the hydraulic resistance coefficient is identified. The calculation of the spiral finning step in a pipe having smooth walls is performed for different values of the Reynolds number. Calculations prove that the total resistance decline may exceed 30 %. Experimental verification of calculations is need.

The coastline of reservoirs of Volga Сascade has a total length of more than 11,000 km. According to various estimates about 37—48 % of total length of the banks are the banks, breaking down due to abrasion. The length of coastline of reservoirs of Volga Сascade within the boundaries of settlements is 985 km, including those in the major cities 442 km. The greatest evolutionary destruction banks are exposed to is avalanche- crumbling the shore of abrasion. The most dangerous of unpredictable behavior is land- slide coast. The Gorky reservoir in the forthcoming decade is expected to be subjected to reformation abrasion in his lake part with the average intensity of 0.47—0.10 m/year. For the period of exploitation Cheboksary reservoir from 1981 to 2011 averages of observed speed retreat edge of the abrasion shores amounted to 1.2—0.2 m/year. Large landslides on the Volga River confined to the high slopes of the right bank, folded Upper, Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous deposits, are most common in the Gorky, Cheboksary, Kuibyshev, Saratov, Volgograd reservoir. Development of landslide Sursko-Volga slope in Vasil’sursk is going on from the beginning of observations (1523). In the twentieth century significant increase in landslides observed appeared in 1913—1914, 1946—1948,1979—1981 (1981 is the year when Cheboksary reservoir had been filled to the level of63.0 meters). Research method of fractal analysis of landslide activity on the right bank of the Volga River in connection with the periods of solar activity have shown that the period 2008—2019 should be characterized by a reduced number of developing land- slides, although in 2012 and 2017—2019 were perhaps the years with mean rates. This is confirmed by the data for 2012 for the city of Nizhny Novgorod. Landslides does not reveal the general tendency to decay with time. The problem of protection from destruction sites and sliding abrasion shores existing reservoirs does remain actual. Designed are methods to help forecast its decision in the present conditions, taking into account economic, social and environmental factors.

Volga-Caspian shipping canal is the main waterway linking the port of Astrakhan with ports of the Caspian sea. Currently, the Caspian Sea fall and sediment transport make ship owners suffer from substantial financial losses. Critically small canal depth in combination with poor weather and hydrodynamic conditions complicate piloting and make vessels stop for a few days. One of the main conditions of operation of this sea transport route is the navigation safety in the context of the further fall of the Caspian sea.The main objective of this study is to evaluate the sediment transport in some areas of the canal. Numerical modeling of the sediment transport was performed for some of its areas to assess its sedimentation.At first, the numerical model of the climatic conditions of the Caspian sea was developed to evaluate sediment transport processes based on specific morphometric and hydrodynamic factors. Model calculations demonstrate that currents bring sediments into the canal. Also, the numerical simulation proves that a seawall may effectively reduce wind and wave actions. According to the results of the numerical simulation, recommendations are generated to reduce the sedimentation.The numerical model can be employed to project the sediment transport pattern and subsequent optimization of dredging works. Bioengineering technologies that may protect the sea canal from the sediment transport are considered.

River valleys take freakish shapes. In mountainous areas, river beds take the forms of canyons, gorges and valleys. In turn, a valley may be symmetric or asymmetric. D.G. Panov is the developer of the valley classification. The valley is a linearly extended relief pattern similar to Latin letter “V” in shape. Let’s consider the two valleys from the viewpoint of geomechanics. In research, it is necessary to define the optimal position of an arch dam with account for its stress-strain state that may develop in the course of its construction and further operation. As an example, we took a hypothetical mountain river having a high-pressure hydroelectric power plant (HPP) with a concrete arch dam.The first series of calculations was aimed at the study of the process of development of the stress-strain state of the massif based on the symmetrical valley slope inclination angle. The second series of calculations was aimed at the study of development of the stress-strained state of the massif depending on slope inclination angle of an asymmetric valley. The following angle values were randomly chosen: 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°,30°. Additional analysis of a slope having the inclination angles of 35°, 37° and40° was performed. At 35°, the slope was steady with a big safety factor, at 37°, the slope was steady, too, but the safety factor was below 10 %, and at 40°, the slope collapsed. The Mora Pendent model was employed for modeling purposes.

Process of downfall of frozen ground overhanging above a thermoabrasion cave under its own mass forms the cycle of thermoabrasive destruction of sea shores and reservoir banks in the cryolite zone. Russian and foreign papers on arctic coastal dynamics merely state the existence of thermoabrasion caves, but quantitative measurements of the collapsed frozen ground overhanging the caves have never been done. It is difficult to measure parameters of this process under natural conditions, therefore, physical tests were carried out. Testing was performed at freezing air temperatures and comprise several steps. Blocks of frozen ground were manufactured in forming boxes. Blocks were placed in a cartridge on a table, a console imitating frozen ground overhanging a cave was pulled out, a load was applied. Moments of load application and the console failure were registered. In this way there were tested 24 blocks with various length of console of loam, sand, and pebble. Presented are test results and physical properties of the frozen soils under investigation, graphs of their breaking strength plotted on the basis of test data. The simulation has revealed the following: console failure is caused by the rupture of frozen ground along a surface which is almost vertical; breaking strength value at the moment of the console failure is smaller than that at the uniaxial tension of frozen soils, but this difference is negligible for engineering calculations; coarse frozen ground (pebble) shows lower breaking strength as compared with fine one (sand); when the thermoabrasion caves in the shores are formed quickly (during a few hours of storm), the probability of overhanging ground failure should be evaluated by the value of frozen ground breaking strength, which is intermediate between the instantaneous and prolonged strength values. The obtained data may be used in engineering calculations of arctic thermoabrasion shore downfall.

The authors argue that intensive construction and development operations generate a large number of idle quarries. Now Moscow Metropolitan area has about 2,000 abandoned quarries and in excess of 150 quarries in operation. Most of them were used to develop various minerals, namely, sand, crushed stone, gravel, peat and other materials.Recovery of abandoned quarries and assurance of their safe condition requires a set of actions to be taken. However, mere reclamation cannot resolve all environmental problems arising after the completion of mining operations. Obviously, the use of undisturbed land areas as household waste landfills is not the best idea from the viewpoint of the environment. Therefore, filling idle quarries with specific types of products is an improved method of reclamation of mines and quarries. This method may solve two problems at once: they are land reclamation and safe waste disposal. Sewage sludge generated by households, as well as industrial enterprises, may serve as the solution.In this paper, the authors study the dependence between the permeability ratio, the carrying capacity of different soil mixtures containing sewage sludge to be used as the reclamation agent in the course of restoration of disturbed territories. The authors also consider dependence of concentration of biogases and the phosphogypsum content in biogases.

Efficient operation of transport facilities considerably depends on the climatic conditions in their location. Unfortunately, road design standards that are currently in effect in the Russian Federation fail to take adequate account of specific climatic conditions of certain Russian territories. The problem of organization and integration of information flows with account for the geographic complexes for the purpose of climatic zoning of areas is considered in the article. The procedure of data collection and processing at the stage of zoning is demonstrated. It encompasses four stages of research, including the study of the local environment, research into road zoning in certain territories using traditional district zoning methods or new mathematical techniques aimed at the resolution of road-related problems, application of zoning-related findings in design, construction, repair and maintenance of highways. The research covered in this article is particularly relevant due to the insufficient regard of the climatic conditions at the stage of design of highways for such areas as Siberia and the Far East of Russia.

Features of the organizational structure of an investment construction project are considered in the article. The need for a detailed breakdown of the life cycle of an investment construction project is substantiated by the need to improve the management of processes and to have the responsibilities shared by the project executives. The sequence of key actions to be implemented in the course of development and implementation of an investment construction project is provided. The author considers the organizational procedures and their sequence as applied to the Moscow City construction project. Several methods aimed at the acceleration of construction processes through merged coordination procedures at the phase of the project due diligence are proposed.

Today no effective centralized control system is available for building waste. However, it may be generated through the establishment of special-purpose logistics centers. Logistics centers will be designated for the regulation of processes of building waste handling. Depending on the status of development of building waste control systems in specific regions, logistics centers of one of the following two types are to be installed: multi-component logistics centers or information logistics centers. The objective is to develop a mechanism for generation and transfer of information streams in order to compile an effective model of waste management for construction and demolition works. The mechanism is to involve each participant of waste-related processes. If this mechanism is in place, waste transportation and amount/composition analysis will be streamlined to assure timely information delivery to/from construction organizations, transport companies, waste processing enterprises, and consumers of secondary products. In the article, the mechanism of effective region-wide management of construction waste is proposed depending on the status of development of waste processing facilities in different areas (regions, etc.). Patterns of interaction between the parties involved in this process are also analyzed.

The author considers the actions aimed at the liquidation of illiteracy and introduction of universal primary education in the period of industrialization and culture dissemination in the USSR. The author draws attention to the fact that the fast-growing industry was in need of competent specialists and indicates the demand for wide-scale reforms in the education.The author argues that as a result of the implementation of the first five-year plan universal education was introduced in the country, illiteracy was eliminated and wide-scale secondary professional education was made available, highly skilled professionals and researchers were trained, etc. It is noteworthy that industrialization substantially improved the state of affairs in the country and in its capital.The author has studied numerous archived documents to present the evidence of development of a network of schools, higher number of students, organization of construction of school buildings, bigger amount of government funding of schools and other institutions for children in Moscow in the years of the first five-year plan.