Actions aimed at the generality of elementary education in the course of the period days of the industrialization and cultural revolution in the USSR is under discussion in the proposed paper. On the basis of the archived documents, organization of construction of school buildings in Moscow in the 20ies and 30ies of the 20th century is analyzed.
It is noteworthy that industrialization in the periods of the first, second and third five-year plans reshaped the country and Moscow as its capital. Former suburbs turned into large industrial areas that had giant factories and housing built around them to accommodate workers. Thus, the population of Moscow grew in numbers.
The need for competent staff facilitated construction of new schools. Peculiarities of school construction in Moscow within the first five-year plan are considered in article on the basis of a school building in Likhobory in 1932. The school building design, work progress, assembly and interior, deadlines and problems of construction are specified. It is noteworthy that, despite any difficulties, 19 new school buildings were completed in Moscow in the years of the first five-year plan. Classes were organized according to the principle of two shifts to implement the general education programme in 1932.

Analysis of organizational and methodical issues associated with architectural competitions of the 1920-1930ss and evaluation of their results are provided in the article. The role of the architectural development and historical, cultural, social and ideological backgrounds of the architectural competitions are also covered by the author. The review of architectural competitions makes it possible to identify their impact produced on the development of the theory and practice of architecture. The period between 1920 and 1930 was marked by a quantitative and qualitative boom of architectural design competitions. Analysis of the practice of architectural competitions makes it possible to identify periods of revolutionary transformations. The most prominent buildings that date back to these periods include theatre buildings in Kharkov, Rostov-Don, Sverdlovsk; a competition for the architectural design of the Gosprom Building in Kharkov; a competition for the architectural design of the Palace of Soviets in Moscow, etc. These competitions have shaped up new approaches to volume and space-related solutions as well as architectural forms.
Research of the integral process of development of approaches and/or methods of organization of architectural design competitions make it possible to identify their role as effective catalysts of architectural theory and practice.

considered in the article. The author analyzes the influence of the 1812 Patriotic War on the political and cultural life of Russia, as there had been a rise of national consciousness in Russia in the first decades of the 19th century related to the victory over Napoleon. The author drives particular attention to the historic fact that Moscow suffered a lot more than other Russian cities in the War of 1812; the city was completely destroyed by the fire. The author provides statistical data related to the city as of the autumn of 1812. Moscow reconstruction plan proposed by Mr. Gestle, architect, and the procedure of "Commissioning of Structures", drafted under the guidance of O.I. Bove, architect, are analyzed in detail. The author also covers the personal contribution made by O.I. Bove, his associates D.I. Zhilyardi and A.G. Grigor'ev, into the reconstruction of the city centre.
The article features the town-planning policy of 1820-1830 and patterns of late classicism in the Moscow architecture.
The article is dedicated to the year of the Russian history and one of its major events, the anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The article covers a relevant historical and cultural problem of elaboration and maintenance of monuments of the military glory of 1812. The author considers various architectural and sculptural monuments illustrating heroic events of Patriotic war of 1812, built in the two Russian capitals - Moscow and Saint Petersburg in different historical periods, and also in primordial Russian towns, such as Smolensk, Vyazma, and Maloyaroslavets. Architectural and composition-related features of this or that monument erected against the background of historic events of the war of 1812 are analyzed in detail. The author demonstrates the links between architecture and sculpture within the framework of town-planning solutions implemented in the pieces that have found their places in the towns enlisted above.
The value of symbols of the Victory and Glory of the Russian army and the Russian people is marked. The names of the most famous heroes of this war, starting from a field marshal and ending with a soldier are inscribed.
By addressing the historical and cultural heritage of Russia, the author informs readers about the most significant events of the war. The author mentions an acute problem of the modernity, that is, preservation and restoration of monuments, and shares his view point.
The value of the historic and cultural heritage of Russia for military and patriotic education is emphasized. The article is prepared within the framework of the year of the Russian history.

The proposed paper covers the operator-related formulation of the eigenvalue problem of analysis of a three-dimensional structure that has piecewise-constant physical and geometrical parameters alongside the so-called basic direction within the framework of a discrete-continual approach (a discrete-continual finite element method, a discrete-continual variation method).
Generally, discrete-continual formulations represent contemporary mathematical models that become available for computer implementation. They make it possible for a researcher to consider the boundary effects whenever particular components of the solution represent rapidly varying functions. Another feature of discrete-continual methods is the absence of any limitations imposed on lengths of structures. The three-dimensional problem of elasticity is used as the design model of a structure. In accordance with the so-called method of extended domain, the domain in question is embordered by an extended one of an arbitrary shape. At the stage of numerical implementation, relative key features of discrete-continual methods include convenient mathematical formulas, effective computational patterns and algorithms, simple data processing, etc. The authors present their formulation of the problem in question for an isotropic medium with allowance for supports restrained by elastic elements while standard boundary conditions are also taken into consideration.

In the paper, the authors provide the results of analysis of a real construction facility performed with the help of a model of a two-layer beam of variable rigidity resting on the elastic bedding. The bottom layer of a two-layer beam simulates the foundation, the upper payer stands for the structure, and the weight of each layer is taken into consideration. The characteristics of the upper layer change alongside its length. Analytical and numerical methods of calculation were applied to solve this problem.
The analytical solution is based on the method of initial parameters and backed by the practical data extracted from "Frame and Towerlike Buildings: Mattress Foundation Design Manual". According to the above manual, whenever the length-to-width ratio of a building exceeds 1.5, one-dimensional pattern composed of a composite beam resting on the elastic bedding may be used. The beam is divided into several sections, and deflection of each section is identified. It is equal to the settlements of the bedding surface. The rigidity change alongside the length of each section is assumed to be permanent, i.e. the beam is considered as the one that demonstrates its piecewise-constant rigidity.
The following conclusion can be made on the basis of the calculations performed by the authors: the calculation of the «structure-foundation-bedding» system may require a simplified model representing composite beams and plates resting on the elastic bedding. More accurate models, such as sets of finite elements, are recommend for use in conjunction with simplified ones.

The author proposes analytical methods of analysis of foundation slabs in the dense environment of present-day cities and towns. The two analytical models, including the model of semi-infinite and finite beams are considered. The influence produced by adjacent tunnels, deep excavations and foundation pits is examined. Bedding properties are described through the employment of the Winkler model. Account of additional deflections and angles of deflections must be taken in the above-mentioned cases.

The problem of synthesis of technology-intensive constituents of an intelligent office system, implemented in advanced office buildings, is the subject matter of this article. On the basis of the proposed classification and the analysis performed by the author, the general structure of the multilevel distributed system, that has radial treelike lines of communications, is developed. The structure of the intelligent office system designated for advanced real estate facilities represents an integration of two structures, including the functional constituent and the hardware constituent. The model of optimization of the hardware constituent is proposed by the author. The article also contains an overview of the model implementation within the framework of a set of intelligent buildings in the centre of Moscow.

The article covers the use of geosynthetic casings in hydraulic engineering. The authors describe the structure of earth dams that have geosynthetic casings used as the reinforcement of downstream slopes. Results of stability calculations are provided.
The authors consider several examples of effective application of advanced geosynthetic materials used in combination with local building materials as structural elements of hydraulic engineering facilities. Their analysis has demonstrated a strong potential and expediency of application of geosynthetic casings in the course of construction and renovation of low-pressure earth dams.
The authors have also developed a new structure of an earth dam. The new earth dam has geosynthetic casings used as structural reinforcing elements of the crown and the downstream slope. The dam structure contemplates the overflow of high water. The structural strengths of the proposed solution include a smaller material consumption rate, lower labour intensiveness and cost of the slope reinforcement due to the application of local building materials used to fill the casings, fast and easy depositing of slope reinforcing elements, and high workability of its dismantling for repair purposes.
The authors have also completed the analysis of stability of geosynthetic casings of downstream slopes of an earth dam. The analysis has proven high efficiency of a small slope ratio in combination with its anchorage and reinforcement of the downstream toe with the help of high-strength geogrids.

Compositions represented by geometrical graphic models of circular and elliptical shapes enjoy wide application in architectural and interior design. The research of variations of coincidences of circles and ellipses is a relevant subject of exploration. In the paper, the authors analyze some of the multiplicity of coincidences, and an example of their practical implementation (a church dome model). The section of an object is "amalgamated" into the architectural concept of the structure, the relief and theological ideas.
Geometric interlinks, compositions and figurations of interconnected diameters, circular and elliptical arcs, their tangency, incidences and interspaces have always been of interest to researchers; they have triggered the search for harmonious and rational solutions in civil engineering and architecture. Advancements in theoretical geometrography and its software applications facilitate new solutions.

In the article, the authors analyze the stress-strain state of structural contours of subterranean structures located at different distances from the boundary of the half-plane. The authors provide a numerical solution through the employment of the method of boundary equations. The problem represents reinforced holes exposed to uniform internal pressure and tensile stress in the direction that is parallel to the boundary of the half-plane. If the pre-set load applied to a particular section of the half-space is taken into account, the reciprocal theorem is used to derive Somigliana's identity for a reinforced hole located in the semi-infinite domain. This equation identifies the component of displacement in a point within the ring, within the elastic half-space or the ground line. Contours of simulation models, conditions of compatibility and equilibrium alongside the contact boundary are discrete, and the system of algebraic equations is derived on their basis. Results of numerical experiments substantiate the accuracy and convergence of the proposed algorithm.

Ultrasonic method of generation of a stable suspension of nano-particles of titanium dioxide and the strengthening properties of the ornamental fine concrete that contains cement binders with a nano-dispersed additive constitute the subject of the research covered by the authors. Nanoparticles react with the basic chemical elements that compose the concrete and act as crystallization centres. Therefore, the concrete porosity is reduced, while physical and technology-related properties of the ornamental fine concrete are improved.
The authors have proven that the application of the nano-dispersed additive that contains titanium dioxide influences the processes of the structure formation in respect of fine ornamental concretes and improves the strength, as well as the water and cold resistance of fine concretes. The improvement is attributed to the dense concrete structure and strong adhesion between cement grains and between the cement and the aggregate. This conclusion is based on the data obtained through the employment of an electronic microscope used to identify the porosity of fine concretes.

The article represents a brief overview of the properties of steel type 14X2GMR (Russian standards), a high-performance synergetic structural steel exposed to different modes of heat treatment.
The author demonstrates that the best set of the steel properties was obtained upon its normalization (Option 5). An alternative option is Option 1 (water quenching). This steel demonstrates its ≈ 1,0, which indicates the proximity between the uniform δр value and the concentrated δc value as the constituents of δ, the elongation value.
The best set of δр ,Ψр ,p, c, Кзт and p/c values is demonstrated by the steel at the normal temperature of 20 °C. An alternative set of criteria properties is identified at -60 °С.
The final choice of the optimal heat treatment mode and the operating temperature is recommended to be based on the maximal values of = p/c and the static viscosity
c = 0,5(k - σT)1n[1/(1 - Ψ)].
Given the resistance of steel to cracking during welding (Δ= 1,5; PSK= -0,25<0), it can be recommended for heavy-duty welded parts and assemblies.

The authors demonstrate that the foam concrete performance can be improved by dispersed reinforcement, including methods that involve basalt fibres. They address the results of the foam concrete modeling technology and assess the importance of technology-related parameters. Reinforcement efficiency criteria are also provided in the article.
Dispersed reinforcement improves the plasticity of the concrete mix and reduces the settlement crack formation rate. Conventional reinforcement that involves metal laths and rods demonstrates its limited application in the production of concrete used for thermal insulation and structural purposes. Dispersed reinforcement is preferable. This technology contemplates the infusion of fibres into porous mixes. Metal, polymeric, basalt and glass fibres are used as reinforcing components.
It has been identified that products reinforced by polypropylene fibres demonstrate substantial abradability and deformability rates even under the influence of minor tensile stresses due to the low adhesion strength of polypropylene in the cement matrix.
The objective of the research was to develop the type of polypropylene of D500 grade that would demonstrate the operating properties similar to those of Hebel and Ytong polypropylenes. Dispersed reinforcement was performed by the basalt fibre. This project contemplates an autoclave-free technology to optimize the consumption of electricity. Dispersed reinforcement is aimed at the reduction of the block settlement in the course of hardening at early stages of their operation, the improvement of their strength and other operating properties. Reduction in the humidity rate of the mix is based on the plasticizing properties of fibres, as well as the application of the dry mineralization method.
Selection of optimal parameters of the process-related technology was performed with the help of G-BAT-2011 Software, developed at Moscow State University of Civil Engineering. The authors also provide their overview of intellectual property rights and an economic efficiency assessment.

According to the authors of the article, it has been proven that dry and damp materials crushed in grinders of the shock type demonstrate different grinding patterns. Therefore, there is a need to explore the influence of the moisture content produced on the efficiency of grinding. The most efficient grinding mode is the one that assures maximal probability of destruction.
Centrifugal grinders were used to analyze the grinding process. The experimental data have proven that the probability of destruction of damp samples is a lot higher than the one of dry samples, given the same initial dimensions of particles and the loading intensity.
The rise in the probability of destruction is stipulated by the fact that that the grinder speed at which crushing is triggered is lower in case of damp samples than in case of dry ones. Expressions for speed that describes destruction initiation and the probability of destruction depending on the type of materials, the moisture content and the loading intensity have been derived.

Maintenance of appropriate thermal and humidity modes of soil is the main condition of intensive growth and development of plants. It is feasible in the event that the temperature and humidity patterns of the soil environment can be projected in time and registered at different depths. Towards this end, the author proposes three alternative solutions to the boundary problem of heat and water transmission in a layer of a loose disperse material exemplified by milled peat. Each solution is based on the operation of a source of infrared radiation. The research results are benchmarked against the experimental data, and thereafter, the list of optimal solutions and substantiations is composed.

Results of thermal tests of balcony doors are presented in the article. In the course of the research project, two types of doors were tested. The first type represents a PVC frame door (width 82 mm); it has a triple glazing (4K-16Ar-4-16Ar-K4); its blank part represents a polystyrene sandwich panel (width 40 mm). The second type represents a PVC frame door (width 82 mm), that has a triple glazing (4K-16Ar-4-16Ar-K4) and composite PVC panels. The testing procedure and processing results are described in the article. The test has demonstrated that the thermal resistance value of the balcony door of the first type exceeds the thermal resistance value of the balcony door of the second type.

Whenever environmental pollution by sulphur compounds is under discussion, the latter contemplate those compounds that may be subjected to consideration through the employment of methods of analytical control. First of all, sulphates and volatile compounds of partially or completely restored sulphur, such as SO2, H2S, methyl sulphur compounds (merkaptans, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide and others) may be subjected to control. Elementary sulphur that is contained in the water is difficult to analyze. At the same time, an extensive group of water-soluble compounds of restored sulphur is not considered by numerous nature protection organizations. As a rule, they do not possess distinct analytical properties. The latter include any organic and inorganic thio-acids and their combinations with ions of transitive metals, in particular, with ions of monovalent copper. Microcolloidal (nano-) particles of FeS may also be included into this group of compounds.
The objective of the article is to generate the awareness of those compounds of reduced sulphur that are out of control. By virtue of this article, the authors apply to specialists in water treatment, water conditioning and water quality regulation.

In the article, the author has proven that state control authorities had an important function in the organizational structure of the government authorities of our country. The author also drives attention to the fact that, in the Soviet period, government leaders implemented the idea of a system of controlling authorities that were to a substantial extent composed of blue collars.
An extensive network of controlling authorities operating on location was active in the 80ies of the 20th century. The historical experience of regional controlling authorities is considered in article, and Moscow controlling authorities are taken as an example. The author demonstrates that the Moscow City Committee, regional committees, groups and posts of people's control organized at enterprises and other organizations drove particular attention to the issues of construction, the building industry as a whole and to the accomplishments of the municipal economy; they also supervised over the implementation of ecological and nature protection actions, monitored the condition and repairs of public health service buildings; they resolved the issues of education, culture, available housing, housing preparation for the winter season, etc.
Actions taken in the aftermath of inspections held by people's control authorities were aimed at the improvement of the ecological condition of Moscow, and they resolved the problems of urban construction. Multiple assignments performed by people's control authorities made it possible to substantially improve the quality of their inspections and to combine the controlling efforts within the framework of the municipal economy. Coordination of combined inspections promoted reduction in the overall number of inspections. The present-day building sector of the Russian capital can benefit from the experience of Moscow people's control authorities, their well-coordinated controlling activities within the construction industry and the prior accomplishments of the municipal economy.

In the proposed article, management of construction operations is represented as a multi-level system; it is considered with the framework of projects including new construction, restructuring and overhaul of buildings and structures.
The system of management of construction operations is to be composed of the following three constituent parts. They include a construction and assembling entity, project and operations, and a procurement base. Such matters as the quality of construction products, purchase (lease) of building machinery and vehicles are incorporated into the level of the construction and assembling entity. The project level comprises such components of construction operations management as pre-construction preparation of a project, methods and forms of construction management, preparatory works, management of construction activities, real-time operations control, construction quality control, etc. The level of operations and the procurement base covers the needs for materials and equipment, their purchase and procurement, as well as the warehouse management.
The main elements of the standardization system are identified. Standards of construction operations management are explained, including 1. General Provisions; 2. Preparation and performance of construction and assembling works; 3. New construction. Building site organization; 4. Demolition (dismantling) of buildings and structures; 5. Rules of preparation for acceptance and commissioning of completed residential buildings.
The prospects for the further development of the system of standardization of construction operations management are outlined

The author tackles the problem of realistic rendering associated with the share of scattered light in the overall illumination. Methods of reflected light rendering, implemented in AutoCAD, are described in the article. Methods of suppression of visualization defects are also provided. A brief description of the algorithm of photon tracing, influence of parameters and settings of the photon tracing on the quality and reliability of lighting are provided. The author also describes alternative methods of simulating lighting patterns in the AutoCAD environment.

The problem of training of architects in architectural composition is relevant at each stages of the training process. Continuous training in architectural composition is to assure better mastering of fundamentals of composition. Specialized training courses is to be incorporated into each stage of the training process, namely, into each specialized discipline that shapes up the compositional thinking in the field of architecture and town planning patterns.
The fundamental course is entitled "Three-dimensional spatial composition"; it is based on the theory of architecture and urban development, as well as practical classes in architectural analysis and modeling.
The author proposes new methods of teaching three-dimensional composition through a cycle of exercises and term papers. The systemic approach contemplates a good knowledge of the theory to serve as the basis for workshops and practical classes, as well as a new idea of continuous training.

Development of computer-assisted computer technologies and their integration into the academic activity with a view to the control of the academic performance within the framework of distance learning programmes represent the subject matter of the article.
The article is a brief overview of the software programme designated for the monitoring of the academic performance of students enrolled in distance learning programmes. The software is developed on Delphi 7.0 for Windows operating system. The strength of the proposed software consists in the availability of the two modes of its operation that differ in the principle of the problem selection and timing parameters.
Interim academic performance assessment is to be performed through the employment of computerized testing procedures that contemplate the use of a data base of testing assignments implemented in the eLearning Server media. Identification of students is to be performed through the installation of video cameras at workplaces of students.

The article covers the problem of particular importance for the contemporary science, that is, scientific rationality, which may be considered under-investigated. In the literature, the issue of sequence of historical types of scientific rationality is analyzed in detail. It breaks down into classical, non-classical, post-non-classical scientific rationality. However, within the framework of the philosophy of science, little attention is paid to the analysis of various types of scientific rationality, including the logical/mathematical, natural scientific, engineering/technical, and social/humanitarian rationality.
Though dozens of academic papers and books cover the issues of logic, mathematics, physics, engineering and technology, social sciences and humanities, general philosophy-related papers lack any essential description of the said four types of scientific rationality, their comparative analysis, and interrelation between them.
In the article, the essence of the logical/mathematical, natural scientific, engineering/technical, and social/humanitarian rationality is demonstrated; their methods, objectives and results are compared; their interaction is accentuated.
In the article, non-scientific and scientific types of philosophical rationality are identified (the former performs the functions of vision rather than gnoseological functions, it includes religious philosophy, existentialism, Nietzsche's philosophy, etc.). The reasons specified in the article substantiate the need to introduce the concept of philosophical-scientific type of rationality associated with the elaboration of issues of logic and methodology of scientific cognition, that are covered in the works of Aristotle, Bacon, Descartes, Hegel, Popper and other philosophers.
It is proven that in the time of substantial advancement of contemporary technology, incorporation of humanitarian values into the domain of natural and engineering sciences and formulation of the issue of ecological and ethical examination of engineering projects will prevent a global ecological catastrophe and collapse of the civilization.

The subject matter of the article is the construction industry in the years of pre-Mongolian Rus. The complexity and diversity of the construction process reflect some peculiarities of the social life in ancient Rus. Therefore, the study of the construction industry reveals particular technological advancements as well as the professional and social organization of crafts in ancient Rus. In the article, the organization of the building process is considered as an integrated process.
A considerable amount of information can be obtained from ancient sources, such as monuments, although they do not constitute any accurate evidence of the construction process. We may identify the number of the so-called "artels" (construction gangs), as well as trace their routes from one construction centre to another. By the commencement of the Mongolian invasion, construction gangs had already established close connections with the prince in power, and their routes were always determined by dynastic relationships of princes. Their work was strongly influenced by Byzantine and West European countries. Therefore, the analysis of the whole construction industry is a vital constituent of the study of the history and culture of ancient Russians.

The authors analyze the capabilities of a traditional set of shape generation techniques that employ orthographic representation in the generation of polyhedra with account for the advanced approach to the research of new multi-nuclear structures.
In the past, designs based on one nucleus were used in practice. The use of two or more nuclei is considered in the article. In the most common case, the resulting system of planes will constitute multiple orthographic representations.
The characteristics of a binuclear system depend on the mutual positions and relation of dimensions of the nuclei. In addition to regular parameters, complete description of the system need particular supplementary parameters that determine the mutual positions of the nuclei. Increase in the number of nuclei causes increase in the number of descriptive parameters.
The authors provide examples of binuclear systems composed of tetrahedrons, cubes, and dodecahedrons, implemented in the Delphi medium. The results can be exported into any three-dimensional modeling system with a view to their further study and use.

Peculiarities of teaching computer graphics as part of the course of engineering graphics aimed at the mastering of AutoCAD graphic editor are considered by the authors. The objective of the course is to develop the competencies of future professionals, inlcuding their structural design skills.
The authors recommend incorporation of mini-lectures and computer workshops into the training process. Computer quizzes are to be held at the beginning of each class to consolidate the material, to ensure preparedness for mastering new information and to stimulate the process of learning.
Department of descriptive geometry and engineering graphics developed a special methodology to ensure efficient presentation of theoretical material that incorporates special computer techniques and an original structure and succession of computer slides to improve the information intensity of the computer graphics course that enjoys a small number of lecturing hours allocated within training programmes offered by the University.
Well-balanced tests to be performed by students in the course of their computer workshops facilitate their mastering computer graphics techniques that help them make high-quality error-free working drawings.