The article is devoted to the preconditions of the occurrence and development of half-timbered architecture in different regions of the world. The starting point is giving account of the content of the concept of “Fachwerk”. Using the term “Fachwerk” the article refers to a type of building structure which uses three-dimensional farm inclined at different angles as the basis for carrying out wooden beams; beside, the article defines the construction materials used in construction of timber-framed buildings, and the technology of their construction. The history of the formation and development of Fachwerk is among objectives of the study of half-timbered architecture as well. The main methods of research are observation, analysis, comparison, historical methods. Some photographs of certain half-timbered buildings were used to make a reader familiar with the aesthetic impact of this kind of architecture. The oldest building of protofachwerk could be found on the territory of modern Turkey and China. Later, in the Middle Ages, half-timbered buildings appeared among the Germans, Gauls, and other Western European nations. Still preserved, half-timbered buildings date back to the 14th century. Improvement of building materials and technologies of construction, economic, religious and cultural changes and transition of Western peoples from Middle Ages to modern times played a significant role in the formation of half-timbered architecture. It is also noted that there is a direct link or correlation between the religious characteristics of a society and a form of Fachwerk corresponding to them. A special place in the article is taken by Protestantism which contributed to the progressive development of technology, including construction and thereby changed the vector of development of the Western society from traditionalism to modernity. In the 20th century Fachwerk in Europe experienced a new prosperity, thanks to its use as a stylistic foundation of Swiss-style buildings, styles, stick, hips, Jugend, Storybook, Adirondack. Regional variants of Fachwerk and its interpretations are now available in some regions of Western, Central, South and East Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia. In the course of the study we revealed the influence of socio-cultural factors in the half-timbered architecture in different regions of its distribution. It is concluded that Fachwerk is an indicator of predisposition of a particular culture to the progressive development.

Historically, Moscow architecture in its development has been following the political trends of the Russian society, and it is clearly reflected in the appearance and quality of Moscow buildings. The author discusses the most observable features and structural principles attributed to Soviet architecture in the middle of the 20th century and uses Moscow monuments as examples. The article is based on the analysis and systematization of spatial planning, architectural, design, and historical sources considering post-war Moscow architecture. The author proposes a historical approach to the problem of correlation between the architecture and post-war Soviet socio-cultural realities. The development of architecture demonstrates different features in different historical epochs. The victorious end of the World War II and crushing defeat of German Nazism generated intensive growth of patriotic emotions in the Soviet society. Heroic tunes and patriotic motives became the brightest features in Soviet architecture. The development of the Soviet architecture between 1945-1955 was determined by different factors. The author discusses the problem of consistency between the existing architectural environment of Moscow city centre and new architectural planning solutions, created by D.N. Chechulin. The importance of historical continuity and consistency of spatial planning policies of the urban development documentation such as the Master plot plan of Moscow (1951) is emphasized. New relations between Soviet government and Russian Orthodox Church were established in the end of the 1940s. Thereby, Soviet architects widely used the decorative elements and compositional principles of ancient Russian architecture. The column order of the Empire style became a required sample for Soviet architects. This style is built according to classical rules, although it has substantial deviations. The Government directives and skills of architects developed an own language of architectural forms typical for so-called “Stalin’s Empire” style.

The development of major cities in our country acquires mostly extensive character. It happens via expansion of a city boundaries, construction on new territories, complication of the functional and planning organization of urban structures. City space is intensively developed by the objects of residential, business, recreation and transport purpose at simultaneous reduction of the development speed of the objects of industrial potential. Modern composition of enterprises of industrial-communal purpose is considered, which are to be situated in modern structure of metropolises. A complex of problems is considered, related to the unsatisfactory placing of communal enterprises in relation to residential and public territories. The planning organization of Moscow is used as an example. First of all it concerns wrong architectural planning organization of communal enterprises, complicated transport communications, worsening of ecological situation. A fundamentally new method is suggested to the design of municipal enterprises of communal purpose as inter-district industrial-communal complexes. The new types of communal enterprises provide low-waste technologies, compact industrial buildings, shorter freight transport connections, high ecological quality.

The interest to Domenico Gilardi, one of the leaders of Moscow classicism and Empire, to his masterpieces and geography of architectural heritage is expressed in different investigations. Russian and foreign scientists pay great attention to the features of his works, his place in the classical style and influence of the Italian school. One of the most important aspects of the architect’s creative work is urban planning, and especially his participation in creation of the architectural ensembles of Moscow, city-forming qualities of separate buildings. The article is dedicated to the 230th anniversary of the birthday and the 170th anniversary of the death of an architect Domenico Gilardi. The article discusses architectural features and creative ways of D. Gilardi, special attention is paid to his urban planning activity in Moscow, his contribution to the historic development of the capital city is analyzed. On the example of specific buildings and structures, which eventually became historical-cultural monuments of Moscow, the author shows the activity of the architect in a complex historical period of the city’s reconstruction after the fire of 1812. The author concludes that the main buildings of the architect D. Gilardi are still among the best examples of the architecture of the Russian Empire.

In the world construction practice steel profiled sheeting is used for different aims. While producing reinforced concrete the profiled sheeting may act as a permanent form or working reinforcement. As far as a floor slab is one of the most important elements of buildings and structures, its price may be 25…30 % of the general construction price, designers and researchers should look for the ways to reduce material and labor costs providing high quality of the production. It is obvious that investigation of such efficient constructions as composite reinforced slabs with profiled sheeting are of current interest. On the basis of national recommendations and the recommendations of Eurocode 4 the calculation of steel-concrete composite slabs with profiled sheet type CKH50Z-600-1.0 and CKH90Z-1000-1,0 were carried out. Calculation methods for steel-concrete composite slabs in Russian and European recommendations have their differences and similarities. The comparison of the results received on the basis of different methodologies in tabular and graphical form allowed to raise the question about the necessity of studying shear forces and deformations at the contact areas of profiled sheeting and concrete, their impact on the strength of steel-concrete composite slabs with these types of decking without the use of special anchorage devices.

Estimation of stress-strain state of metal structures in erecting process has always interested specialists both during design and construction. When using different erection technologies of metal structures a lot of states of building frameworks occur, which are characterized by various, constantly changing analytical models. Computer analysis of force elimination of construction errors was performed for a double-layer framed dome with meridional ribs and horizontal rings with different assembly analytical models. Several types of assembly analytical models of double meridional ribs were considered for erection process of the dome framework with temporary central support. For every model point loads were applied to selected nodes to eliminate relative deflection of adjacent ribs, and initial internal forces appearing in the bars were computed. The results of the analysis are presented in the form of diagrams, models, mosaic of forces in the bars, and figures of joints. Based on the analysis, conclusions are made about favorable assembly models for the erection process of the dome framework.

The paper proposes a method of determining the baseline characteristics of accelerograms required for their synthesis. Accelerograms generated according to them transmit maximum impact energy of the seismic action to a construction. However, they are possible with a certain probability for a given construction site. To solve this problem were obtained seismic characteristics of the construction site and dynamic characteristics of the structure. Then was formed the target function characterizing the energy transmitted to the structure. Characteristics corresponding to the maximum of the target function will be most unfavorable baseline characteristics of accelerograms. As construction was considered a linear system with a finite number of degrees of freedom. In paper were obtained impulse and frequency responses of the considered linear system. As the seismic characteristics of the construction site have been obtained some characteristics of accelerograms. Such as the spectral density, distribution law dominant frequency, envelope. In paper as the target function is considered the dispersion of the displacement of the highest floor of the system. As varied parameter is considered a shift of the initial spectral density of the impact. On the shift parameter imposed probabilistic restrictions due to the law of the distribution of the dominant frequency. The use of the proposed method when generating accelerograms will allow to calculate seismic stability the most complete way.

Curtain wall systems are widely used in the modern construction at building industrial and civil buildings. Works of many Russian and foreign researchers are dedicated to investigation of such structures operation. The main task solved during the use of curtain wall systems is reduction of energy consumption for heating. In this regard the fa?ade systems may be fixed both at rather stable walls having though high thermal conductivity produced of brick and concrete and at the walls of aerated concrete (foam concrete) bricks having lower thermal conductivity. The authors offer preliminary results of the mechanical strength tests of foam concrete bricks. The anisotropy of strength under compression along different edges (axes) was educed, which reached up to 200 %. The authors underline the importance of account for anisotropy of strength properties of foam concrete bricks during the design of fa?ade systems and during monitoring of their state.

The basic problem of structural mechanics, namely the problem of pile shock loading sunk in a foundation, has been examined in an axisymmetric approach within defining relations for irreversible deformations offered earlier in the space of deformations. As a model of the theory of plasticity, the Mises model generalized by the authors has been accepted, the use of which solves a nonstationary system of nine two-dimensional equations with various entry and boundary conditions. Enlightened attitudes use approximate engineering approaches which allow estimating the behavior of a pile-foundation system. A solution is constructed mainly with the use of the theory of linear-elastic continuum. However they do not enable to consider various peculiarities of deformation behavior of soils and pile materials and to give an appropriate detailed picture of a system mode of deformation. Mechanical peculiarities of the behavior of foundation and pile materials discovered recently demand more enlightened attitudes to analyze a mode of deformation in a pile-foundation system considering both plasticity and fracture. The offered approach enables to give a complete picture of a mode of deformation in a pile-foundation system at any time and a picture of occurrence and development of plasticity and fracture zones.

One of the most popular modern methods of tunnel linings’ calculation with account for their interaction with the soil is finite element method. Because of the constant increase of computation capacities at the present time the tasks of algorithm development dominate, which account for the lining operation - soil for complicated geological conditions. The given work presents the computational algorithm of account of the distribution nonuniformity of the physical characteristics of ground medium over the surface of finishing at intersection of the interface of geological layers by the tunnel axis. The algorithm uses mathematical models of the finite elements method and it is adapted for the realization in the system of stress analysis of tunnel linings developed by the authors. The authors enumerate the disadvantages of different calculations and try to overcome them. For this aim the beam model of the system “lining - soil” is suggested.

The polymer mixes based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ABS-plastic with different ratios of components from 0 to 100 % have been obtained. The compatibility analysis of the components of the mixes was provided with the use of the compatibility criterion, taking into account the chemical structure of the polymers, their surface energy and molar volume of the repeating unit, as well as Hildebrand solubility parameter. A complete thermodynamic compatibility takes place, which allows preparation of monolithic materials. The experiments on stress relaxation under uniaxial compression of the samples at various concentrations of blend components at the temperatures ranging from 23 to 70 oC were performed. The approximation of the stress relaxation curves using modern memory functions based on the analysis of entropy production of the system during the relaxation process was performed. These physical parameters of the memory functions allow evaluating a long-term mechanical working ability of the materials derived from the blends of PVC and ABS-plastic.

With the increase of high-rise construction the volumes of high-rise services on maintenance and monitoring of high-rise buildings also grow. Construction and lifting-transport machines are being produced, which require maintenance on height. New types of work at height appear, which can only be done only by steeple jacks or industrial climbers. Analysis of accidents during high-rise services shows that often the use of unreliable means of protection against falls from a height or misuse of these means leads to emergency situations, as well as errors in the organization and technology of works performance at height. In this regard during the development of safe technologies for high-rise works, creation of new designs and types of personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from heights and during their production, particular attention should be paid to reliability of these means, as well as the correctness of their use. In order to determine the reliability of personal protective equipment against falls from a height, as well as for certification of these means by the scientific and production methodological center “Industrial alpinism” of MGSU special stands were created for dynamic studies of these means. Dynamic characteristics are investigated by a falling cargo or dummy.

Potential liquid motion created by a discharge-circle situated in infinite space in a cylindrical coordinate system has already been investigated before. It is impossible to use such a liquid flow for solution of hydraulic engineering tasks because of the presence of water inflow to the discharge from the inner side (inner flow lines). It is possible to exclude the inflow from the theoretical solution if the discharge - circle is situated on an infinite impermeable cylinder. The article presents an analytical investigation of a potential flow of a liquid induced by discharge channel - a circle situated in infinite space on an infinite impermeable cylinder. The investigation results in an engineering solution. It is carried out using a new investigation method of potential liquid flows. This method is offered by the authors. The authors obtained the formulas required for calculation of the fields of velocities and expotential surfaces of the liquid flow created by the considered discharge. This flow may be used for solution of different tasks of hydropower and hydraulic engineering construction. In particular, in order to calculate the sizes and forms of spiral cases of turbines.

Integral organizational and technological potential of a construction object evaluates its condition and future development. Integral organizational and technological potential is a complex system. In recent years the investigation is being conducted using the methods of system analysis. Academics examined single organizational and technological potentials: construction site, project decisions, ecological load, construction companies. On one level there is a potential of production process of a construction object. One of its parts is the organizational and technological potential of roof constructions of residential multi-storey buildings. According to the general theory of systems this potential is also a system. We considered a systematic approach and found the structure of this object. It has three levels. The first level contains subsystems: installation works, project works and construction management. The second level includes evaluation criteria: scope of work, time, prime cost, safety, flexibility, resource saving and quality. The third level includes quality indexes: climatic conditions, information technologies, supply and storage of materials, quality control, qualification of the workers and engineers, readiness of work area, amount and quality of material resources, number of workers. This article is dedicated to the subsystem of installation works. In structural and functional analysis, including qualimetric expertise and correlation, we united the criteria “scope of work”, “time” and “prime cost” in one - “efficiency”. The components “qualification of workers and engineers”, “quality control” and “number of workers” were united in “work resources”; “amount and quality of material resources” in “material resources”; “supply and storage of materials” were excluded. In order to formalize this system we used the method of modeling factor system and multi-criteria optimization. Quality indexes included into a system lose their properties but get new ones. The use of weight coefficients solve this problem. For a uniform mathematical representation of quality indexes we distinguished three levels of variation for all indexes. The next step of research is weight coefficients determination and finding quality indexes combination. For this aim we need a complex qualimetric expertise.

Increase of construction objects’ quality is a longstanding problem in the construction complex. It had been treated from different sides. Because of the world economic crisis many countries suppose special measures reducing the financing of social industrial housing without reducing its volumes. The level of consumer appeal is constantly growing, the growth speed depends on technological development and the degree of its results implementation by the organizations of the construction industry. That’s why we can say, that the housing quality is not a static value, it is changing in the historical retrospective. In the basis of the changes in the requirements to housing quality lie consumer preferences and financial possibilities of the users. The list of requirements to the housing quality to large extend determines the supply and demand on the housing market. The authors analyzed the operative control of production quality in factory production of industrial housing. The methods of forming the indicators of operative quality control on the technological operations of production lines are suggested.

A business mechanism of the construction in the present conditions is formed under the influence of private business and also to great extend under the influence of the government. The functional, which the government possesses, may determine the solution of not only branch-wise tasks, but also the tasks of coordination system character. Together with positive increase in construction volumes the branch faces periodical crises, the increasing number of unsolved tasks and problems, which determine the currency of the investigation of business mechanisms and the ways of raising its efficiency. The authors present an analysis of the features of management and economical mechanism, which is, first of all, within the competence of the government. The peculiarities and disadvantages of the use of different approaches to economy organization are specified. Recommendation on improving the situation basing on consolidation of the instruments of the existing development mechanisms are given.