Subject: questions of nano-modification of polyvinylchloride (PVC) composites filled with wood flour (WF) are considered. The wood-filled polyvinylchloride composites developed to date possess high operational parameters but have a significant technological disadvantage (high viscosity of melts), which limits their processing and use. To increase the compatibility of polyvinylchloride and wood flour, experimental studies were conducted on the use of small doses of carbon nanotubes as effective binding agents. Research objectives: investigation of the structure and properties of highly filled nano-modified polyvinylchloride composites. Materials and methods: basic wood-filled polyvinylchloride composites are considered for production of molding profiles, in which single-walled carbon nanotubes in various dispersion media were used as modifiers. We used standard physical and mechanical methods for polymer material properties estimation, as well as a set of methods for analyzing the structure of materials, in particular optical and electronic microscopy. Results: the ranges of optimal concentrations of carbon nanotubes in the composites are determined experimentally, depending on the degree of filling with the wood flour, type and nature of carbon nanotube carrier medium, as well as the method of mixing the components in the process of molding the products by the developed prescriptions. Conclusions: experiments have confirmed technical effectiveness of using nanotubes as additives that enhance the adhesion interaction at the boundary of the polymer with the wood flour. The obtained functional dependencies can be the basis for practical realization of production of molding profiles by extrusion method.

Subject: with the increasing pace of construction in the city’s historic centers, as the loss of historic buildings continues, the buildings’ significance and integrity of the environment could be compromised. In this article, the problems of preservation and use of historic buildings in modern architecture of the city of Ryazan are considered. Research objectives: the study and identification of compositional features of facades of historic buildings in the city of Ryazan and their comparison with the compositional techniques in the formation of facades of more recent buildings. Materials and methods: through field observations and graph plotting, the author conducts typological and compositional analysis of historic buildings and also analyzes some buildings of the 2000s. Results: we considered buildings of Lenin street, where, closer to the historical center, prevail the buildings of the period of construction of the late 18th - early 20th centuries, and in the opposite direction - the buildings of the Soviet period and contemporary construction. A comparison of the constructions of facades of historic and contemporary buildings shows that the presence of compositional technique system is not a sufficient condition for preservation of integrity and identity of the historical and cultural environment of the city. Important factors are also the scale and magnitude of composition, symmetry, etc. Conclusions: the author reveals the characteristic compositional techniques in the formation of facades of historic buildings. The influence of their practical application in modern construction on architectural integrity and identity of urban environment is noted.

Subject: bridgehead road transport junctions in cities. Research objectives: estimate, by means of a number of factors, a role of different types of city passenger transport in formation of a transport and transfer component as a part of integral engineering-planning and architectural compositions of bridgehead road transport junctions. Materials and methods: scientific research is based on the contextual, theoretical, empirical and practical analysis of engineering-planning and architectural-constructive design solutions for bridgehead road transport junctions in cities. Results: on the basis of the data obtained as a result of the research, preconditions for emergence and characteristics of these engineering structures, their specifics and typological features were revealed and generalized. Also, the system classifications of the considered objects, which are the structural elements of town-planning frameworks, were created. Conclusions: the new evaluative principles and formulas are introduced. Their practical importance is defined by the author-proposed program modularity of analytical mechanisms, in particular, those ones which realize a trend of renovation of coastal territories.

Subject: this research is relevant because it deals with the issues of historical and architectural heritage of N. Novgorod associated with Nikolai Alexandrovich Dobrolyubov (1836-1861), a literary critic, publicist, democrat, born here in the family of A.I. Dobrolyubov, a priest of the St. Nicholas Church Top-Posadskaya, and until 1853 permanently living in his hometown. He saw Nizhny Novgorod in the era of classicism, during implementation of the “Regulations about the structure of N. Novgorod” when, according to the plan of 1839, the renovation of streets, plazas and embankments was carried out, and Lykov dam (1837-1839) was built near the estate of Dobrolyubov. We examine N. Novgorod churches in the neighborhood of Kremlin, which were admired by N.A. Dobrolyubov: St. Nicholas Church (1741, lost), the Holy Myrrh-bearers Church (1649, exists), and in the Kremlin: the Archangel Michael (17th century, exists), Savior Transfiguration (1830-1834, lost) - it was the tomb of K. Minin. Instead of destroyed temples - elegant vertical dominants of metro-rhythmic compositions, in 1930-1950s the monumental buildings were built, which changed the image of the environment without creating rhythmic accents. The stone-tiered temple of the “ship”-type, Holy Myrrh-bearers Church (1649), surrounded in the 20th century by disharmonious high-rise buildings, has lost the dominant role in metro-rhythmic composition of the city. It was found out that the mansions associated with N.A. Dobrolyubov, including the house of the clergy of St. Nicholas Church, Dobrolubov’s manor, the house of the guardian siblings, have survived without changing their classic appearance. Public buildings of the period of life of N.A. Dobrolyubov, which preserved the original appearance and the style of classicism, include: N. Novgorod Theological Seminary, the house of N. Novgorod Noble Assembly. The monument of N.A. Dobrolyubov (sculptor P.I. Gusev, architect B.S. Nelyubin, 1986), mounted on B. Pokrovskaya, close to the lost St. Nicholas Church, creates a favorable environment for studying the historical heritage of N. Novgorod, which requires a comprehensive approach to its reconstruction and restoration. The scientific novelty of the study is that for the first time, on the basis of a comprehensive review of architectural appearance of buildings associated with life of N.A. Dobrolyubov in N. Novgorod from the viewpoint of systematic approach and by using various methods of analysis, we revealed their special and characteristic features, give recommendations for their reconstruction. Research objectives: reveal the degree of preservation of buildings of Nizhny Novgorod associated with Nizhny Novgorod period of life of N.A. Dobrolyubov, describe the history of their construction, determine their place among the historical and cultural heritage of the city, perform a comprehensive analysis of their architectural appearance, including a space-planning decision, stylistics, decor, the role in the composition of streets, give recommendations for their reconstruction. Materials and methods: the methodological basis of the work is a systematic approach that allows us to consider the main characteristics of architectural appearance of buildings in N. Novgorod, associated with the period of life of famous democrat-nizhegorodets of the mid-19th century. To summarize the materials obtained from archival and literary sources, the bibliographic analysis was used, and for the field surveys - photographic images and grapho-analytical approach. Results: we give a comprehensive review of architectural appearance of buildings in N. Novgorod associated with the period of life of N.A. Dobrolyubov, and introduce the history of their creation, stylistics, space-planning decision, décor into the scientific usage of data on buildings. Recommendations are given for their comprehensive reconstruction in order to increase the tourist, social and investment attractiveness of the capital of N. Novgorod region. Conclusions: the results of the study can form the basis of documents required for creation of restoration projects of buildings related to life of the famous nizhegorodets. Comprehensive approach to reconstruction of historical and architectural heritage of N. Novgorod, associated with the memory of N.A. Dobrolyubov, will contribute to improvement of the quality of social life of local population, and increase the tourist and investment attractiveness of the city and the region.

Subject: systems of passive solar heating, which can, without the use of engineering equipment, capture and accumulate the solar heat used for heating buildings. Research objectives: study of the possibility to reach the passive house standard (buildings with near zero energy consumption for heating) in climatic conditions of Russia using the systems of passive solar heating in combination with other solutions for reduction of energy costs of building developed in the past. Materials and methods: search and analysis of literature, containing descriptions of various passive solar heating systems, examples of their use in different climatic conditions and the resulting effect obtained from their use; analysis of thermophysical processes occurring in these systems. Results: we revealed the potential of using the solar heating systems in the climatic conditions of parts of the territories of the Russian Federation, identified the possibility of cheaper construction by the passive house standard with the use of these systems. Conclusions: more detailed analysis of thermophysical and other processes that take place in passive solar heating systems is required for creation of their computational models, which will allow us to more accurately predict their effectiveness and seek the most cost-effective design solutions, and include them in the list of means for achieving the passive house standard.

Subject: karst and suffosion are related to exogenous geological processes, the development of which is caused by destruction of rocks by groundwater. These are the processes dangerous for construction, and the main problem in studying these processes lies in their inaccessibility for direct visual observation. Research objectives: achievement of mutual understanding between prospectors and designers when solving the problems arising from construction-related development of territories where a negative impact of karst and (or) suffosion on buildings and structures is expected. Materials and methods: the method of historical analysis of efficiency of engineering solutions. Results: Russia has a long and rich experience in the application of antikarst and antisuffosion protective measures, which is analyzed in the present article from historical positions. In the author’s opinion, successful implementation of these measures is possible only with the close cooperation of prospectors-geologists and geotechnical designers. Systematized representation of the evolution of methods and techniques that ensure accident-free operation of objects of various types of construction in the presence of karst and (or) suffosion hazard is given. Conclusions: currently, our country has a rich and well-proven arsenal of means of protecting buildings and structures from karst and suffosion, including constructive, geotechnical and other measures.

Subject: elimination of excessive non-uniform deformations of the building of Zagorsk pumped storage station unit (pumped-storage hydroelectric power station) under construction by using the method of compensation grouting. Research objectives: development of a methodology for assigning optimal values of the main technological parameters, such as pressure, intensity of injected mixture, consumption of the mixture per unit volume of soil, based on experimental data of tests of various types of soil on the model; justification of the method for calculation of pressure for fracturing the casing layer of the tube-a-manchette before injection. Materials and methods: the following materials were used: high permeability grouts “KN-1” with adjustable structural strength for primary impregnation of the soil massif; injection material “KN-2” with increased viscosity and a slow strength gain to create a stressed state in the soil and ensure leveling of the building; casing grout “Solidur” for fixing the tube-a-manchette in the borehole. Kinetics of impregnation and the nature of distribution of the material “KN-1” were studied on a unidirectional model. Results: on the laboratory unidirectional model, the main technological parameters were worked out for alignment of the building of Zagorsk pumped storage station unit using the technology of compensation grouting at the experimental site located in immediate vicinity of the main facility. Nomograms for assignment of optimal technological parameters of the compensation grouting process were developed. Conclusions: tested mineral-based injection systems fully comply with the technological requirements for production of works on compensation grouting. The results of experimental and theoretical studies allow us to reasonably assign optimal values of the main parameters of technological regulations for all stages of production of works on compensation grouting.

Subject: description of the current situation in technologies of soil improvement, namely mechanical and hydraulic consolidation of soils and vertical reinforcement of soils for different types of soft soils. Research objectives: demonstration of modern possibilities and approaches to the design and construction of improved soils. Materials and methods: in this paper, we consider such technologies of ground improvement as dynamic compaction, hydraulic consolidation (vertical drain consolidation, Menard vacuum consolidation), vertical reinforcement of soils (CMC - controlled modulus columns). Results: the result of the study is an intuitive representation of the applicability of described technologies for various types of soft soils. Conclusions: the technologies of ground improvement considered in this article are an effective alternative to both pile foundations and soil replacement. To this day, industrial implementation of soil improvement technologies has proved its applicability, efficiency and competitiveness.

Subject: technical and economic processes and aspects of handling wastes and secondary material resources; stages of transition of anthropogenic object of environment to wastes and secondary material resources; technical possibility and economic feasibility of using secondary material resources as a secondary raw material for making products, providing energy, works, services. The problem of economy and rational use of material and power resources is relevant and significant within the limits of maintenance of a strategic course of Russia on innovative sustainable development. In this article, issues of actualization and harmonization of the regulatory and legal base in the field of management of wastes and secondary material resources are considered from the viewpoint of maintenance of minimization of waste formation and maximum use of secondary material resources in an industrial-economic cycle, provision of economic incentives for innovative activity in the given field. The actual multi-plan problem, chosen here as a topic of research, concerns regulations in management of wastes and secondary material resources in construction complex, in which economic, civil-law, ecological, social, industrial and legal relations are closely coordinated and define a subject of the present research. Production and consumption waste is a dangerous anthropogenic object of the environment but at the same time, it is a valuable secondary material resource. The non-use of wastes to be recycled as secondary raw materials for energy generation, production and, as a result, their increasing accumulation in the environment causes irreparable harm to natural objects and human health due to their dangerous properties. Research objectives: scientific and methodological substantiation of legal regulation, economic basis for formation of wastes and secondary material resources management system (on the example of construction complex and building materials industry). Materials and methods: for conducting scientific research, we used guidance documents, standards, techniques, methodological recommendations, project and regulatory documentation in the field of environmental protection and waste management, published data and materials of domestic and international research on this topic. Methods of scientific research employed here are based on the use of comparative analysis, expert methods of indicators assessment. Results: we formulated proposals to update and harmonize the conceptual apparatus in the area of management of secondary material resources in the form of amendments to the current legislation, as well as proposals with regard to economic regulation methods in the area of wastes and secondary material resources management for introduction into the plan of implementation of the “Strategy for Development of Industry for Processing, Recycling and Decontamination of Production and Consumption Wastes for the Period until 2030”, approved by the legal act of the Government of the Russian Federation. Conclusions: the formulated scientific and practical proposals on the solution to the issue of handling wastes and secondary material resources can be used in formation of regulatory and legal framework and for planning actions in management of wastes and secondary material resources within the limits of implementation of the “Strategy for Development of Industry for Processing, Recycling and Decontamination of Production and Consumption Wastes”.

Pigment-coated mineral rocks are commonly used as color granules in roofing applications to provide aesthetic as well as protective functions to the asphalt shingles. Roofing granules typically comprise crushed and screened mineral materials, which are subsequently coated with a binder containing one or more coloring pigments, such as suitable metal oxides. Roofing granules are typically produced by mixing mineral particles with the coating materials in a drum or pan coater prior to drying or curing of the color coating in a kiln with extremely high temperature. In general, many rocks which are opaque, dense, and properly graded by screening for maximum coverage can be used conventionally in roofing granule process. Most stone sources have a small percentage of iron as a part of the stone’s chemical composition. For the most part the iron content is not encapsulated in the stone thus allowing for traces of rust to leach from the stone. Subject: The roof discoloration caused by the rust of the base rock is one of the reasons most serious customer complaints. The rust can appear during the curing process or throughout shingle lifetime weathering. The article seeks to answer the question what substance in a base rock can cause the rust and subsequent mineral degradation. Research objectives: discoloration, appearance of stains and streaks of rust on polymer-bitumen roofs is one of the most frequent causes of complaints from buyers. All this can be avoided by a deliberate choice of rocks, as a mineral carrier for the production of granules, that are not prone to “rust” and degradation. The reasons for the color change and the methods of choosing the rock least affected by this factor are described in this article. Materials and methods: The research has been done by comparing mineralogical and petrographic properties of granule base rocks and their color change values between calcined and incalcined granules. The rock samples underwent Differential thermal analysis in order to define a fraction of weak minerals in each of the rocks. Results: The study shows that all test samples changed its color after calcining at operation temperature 537°. Several minerals that change their colors and collapse during heating at operational temperature. Some of the mineral display rust, which is iron hydroxide. There are minerals with encapsulated iron that were stable during the calcining process and some collapsed and become sours of iron hydroxide leaching on the colored granules surface during the outdoor-weathering test. Conclusions: In the result of the study we can make a statement that the weakest minerals that collapses at operation temperature of the granule process and creates the iron hydroxides that can freely leak out of rock body are sulfides. It recommended to define the sulfides content in rock in order to prevent the rusting and breakdown issue.

Subject: technical and economic efficiency of the use of nanomodified porous mineral powder in the composition of asphalt-concrete mixture. The system of quality indicators of crushed stone-mastic asphalt-concretes obtained using nanomodified porous filler is presented. A general criterion for the quality of asphaltic concrete and a method for assessing the technical and economic efficiency of the use of nanomodified filler to control the properties of asphalt-concrete have been developed. Using the methods of system analysis, decomposition of the asphalt-concrete quality system was carried out and the basic quality indicators and dependencies for calculation of particular quality criteria were identified. The efficiency of using a filler based on a porous mineral material whose surface is modified with an additive based on iron hydroxide sol and silicic acid is shown. Research objectives: substantiation of effectiveness of the use of nanomodified porous mineral powder in the composition of asphalt-concrete mixture, taking into account the efficiency and cost criteria. Materials and methods: oil road bitumen BND 60/90, gabbro-diabase crushed stone of 5-20 mm fraction, granite crushing and screening products, stabilizing additive Viatop-66 and nanomodified diatomite were used. Samples of crushed stone-mastic asphalt-concrete were tested in accordance with the standard methods, and resistance to varying weather and climatic conditions and also rutting resistance were studied. Results: the proposed criteria allow one to estimate the effectiveness of the use of nanomodified mineral powder in asphalt-concrete, taking into account both the technical characteristics of the asphalt-concrete, obtained by using the powder, and the economic costs necessary to achieve improvement in quality indices. Concrete SMA-20, in which 100 % of the traditional filler is replaced by a powder based on diatomite, modified with iron (III) hydroxide sol and silicic acid, has a 28 % higher technical and economic efficiency compared to traditional crushed stone-mastic asphalt-concrete. This is achieved by significantly improving the quality of the material compared to the necessary ones. Conclusions: the use of the powder based on diatomite, modified with the iron (III) hydroxide sol, and silicic acid as a filler in the composition of asphalt-concrete mixture makes it possible to increase the asphalt-concrete efficiency index by 35 %. The increase in technical and economic efficiency by 28 % justifies application of the modified filler.