Search

In spite of the high culture of modern construction, the majority of massive structures erected in different countries of the world cannot avoid shrinkage cracks during the curing process, which negatively affect both the stiffness and durability of such structures. Shrinkage processes in massive structures are not regulated by standards, although a large number of specialists deal with these issues. During design and construction of most massive structures (usually such structures are unique), separate special studies are carried out for each project, calculations of stress state are performed, and technological regulations are prepared, but the actual values of shrinkage deformations almost always differ from the calculated ones. The task of this study is to develop a methodology for measuring concrete shrinkage in massive structures, as well as to determine the qualitative criteria by which one or another shrinkage deformation can be estimated. The obtained results allow a more correct understanding of the stress-strain state that occurs in massive structures after pouring concrete mixture and more correctly prepare technological regulations, which will reduce the number of cracks in the poured structure.

Modern domestic calculation methods and developed countries for determining the bearing capacity of monolithic reinforced concrete slabs for punching do not fully take into account all factors of design solutions and operating conditions. The available design provisions are made for the static operation of structures and there are no recommendations for taking into account the features of the dynamic impact on the overlap and the nature of the work of the node interfaces. The accepted empirical assumptions of the calculation, based on numerous experimental data, do not take into account the features of the stress-strain state of the coupling of the overlap with the column during destruction according to the punching scheme. This is due to the lack of computational models in which all the acting internal forces ensuring the resistance of the interface to penetration would be considered comprehensively. The complexity of the problem is due to the fact that the sections of the nodal interface are in an inhomogeneous stressed state. The stress-strain state of plates for punching under dynamic load is currently little studied. This article proposes a method for determining the bearing capacity of a symmetrical nodal coupling of a column with an overlap for punching under static and short-term dynamic loading. The proposed design model of the punching strength is based on the following prerequisites: the resistance to punching of a monolithic reinforced floor consists of the shear resistance along the surface of the reduced punching pyramid formed by the height of the compressed concrete zone; the strength of the concrete shear resistance increases due to volumetric compressive forces on the surface of the reduced punching pyramid; the angle of inclination of the faces of the punching pyramid depends on the loading speed. The obtained theoretical dependences are applicable under static and dynamic loading and are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data.

Fighting against desertification is one of the priorities in the world. In areas subject to desertification, there is a deficiency of heavy metal ions, such as Fe, Mn, Zn, Co, Cu and Ni, which are involved in the implementation of metabolic processes in woody plants. In this study, an assessment metal-dependent proteins and an analysis of the structural homology between them in Quercus robur, Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, Ulmus pumila and Fraxinus excelsior used in agroforestry of arid territories was carried out. Bioinformatic analysis included multiple alignment of amino acid sequences using the Ugene program by the ClustalW algorithm (BLOSUM62 matrix). According to the results of studying the plants metalloproteome, it was found that Quercus robur has 18 proteins, Robinia pseudoacacia – 24, Gleditsia triacanthos – 3, Ulmus pumila – 19, Fraxinus excelsior – 14 metal-dependent proteins. The main part of metal-dependent proteins is involved in photosynthesis and respiration, in particular Fe, Zn and Co-dependent proteins. Multiple alignment showed a high degree of protein homology between species of woody plants, where similarity varied from 65% to 100%. The results can be used to create new agricultural technologies for productivity management and the formation of adaptation to adverse environmental factors.

The accuracy characteristics of mathematical models of the Earth pole motion in a short time intervals have been investigated. The modeling was carried out using two approaches: a numerical-analytical model of the Earth’s rotational motion relative to the center of mass, based on the weighted least squares method and a neural network model for predicting the Earth pole motion. A comparison is made between the standard deviations of short-term forecasts of the Earth pole motion for 1–2 days according to the developed models and the standard deviations of forecasts published by the International Earth Rotation Service in Bulletin A. The models under consideration did not use data smoothing. The model based on neural network approach showed a higher accuracy of short-term forecasting.

Increase in the operational functionality of space technology leads to the necessity of creating large-sized transformable systems. The development of adequate models which are used in computational experiments to simulate the opening of transformable space structures is of great importance. Significant progress has been made in the field of creating large-sized transformable space antennas: the ratio of the mass of the reflector to its working area has decreased to 0.5–1.5 kg/m2. Despite the significant progress achieved in the design of such structures, the task of ensuring smooth and reliable deployment of large-sized transformable space structures, while ensuring their subsequent functioning, remains important. An important area of applied research in the field of shape memory materials is the creation of thermomechanical force actuators that deploy large-sized space structures. Actuators with shape memory effect makes the opening process easy to control, ensuring its shock-free nature. As an active element of the force actuator, it is proposed to use a wire made of titanium nickelide material with a shape memory effect. To develop a functional model of the actuator’s active element made of a shape memory material, a series of experimental and theoretical studies was carried out.

The modern spatial data coordinate basis (SDCB) is built taking into account the variety of existing and used today geodetic networks, models of physical fields of the Earth, cartographic models, as well as coordinate systems (СS). One of the requirements for SDCB from the standpoint of system analysis is the requirement of integrity, which presupposes the unity of the determination of coordinates, that is, the consistency of the results of determining the coordinates of the same points in different CSs. The article is devoted to the monitoring of the accuracy characteristics of the available software for coordinate transformations in terms of single-stage and multi-stage transitions between ellipsoidal coordinates of different systems.

Research background: In the present-day global economic environment ensuring the high after-sales service efficiency by decreasing the related cost raising thereby their competitiveness rate is recognized as an essential goal of the continuing (core) operations and overall performance of any organization in the long run. The goal is certain to be reached within the outcome strategic after-sales service management. Purpose of the article: The paper considers theoretical aspects of the applied strategic after-sales service analysis (ASASSA) based on the after-sales service score of the balanced scorecard (BSC) to be applied in the research process of the strategic organization after-sales service activity aspects and its strategic after-sales service management. Methods: The methodology of the research consists of the concept of the balanced scorecard and the concept of the applied strategic analysis developed by the author. Findings & Value added: ASASSA is depicted to encompass comparative assessment, variances diagnostics and indicators forecast of the after-sales service BSC score within the strategic after-sales service goals. The analysis comprises the speed of billing, payment for the goods sold, arbitrations settlement as well as analysis of due updating of the goods delivered, speed of warranty and repair excellence, and speed of poor quality’s goods replacement (in case of the delivery). The author draws a conclusion is drawn that ASASSA is a new and sufficiently effective tool to research strategic aspects of the organization after-sales service activity and to form an analytical support for the modern strategic after-sales service management.

Research background: In the present-day global economic environment overcoming financial difficulties and enhance of financial position is an important goal of the anti-crisis financial management of almost any company. This goal is certain to be reached by using target financial forecasting at the company level. Purpose of the article: The paper considers conceptual aspects of the target financial forecasting at the company level, as a new instrument of anticrisis financial management for a company to overcome its financial difficulties and enhance its financial position within a time-period of practically any length. Methods: The methodology of the research, the results being presented in the paper, is based on the concept of the financial ratio analysis, the concept of the company cash flows, and the concept of the balanced scorecard (in terms of its financial score). Findings & Value added: It is depicted that the procedure of the target financial forecasting comprises an appropriate information-accounting support, a target financial forecasting of the company financial position, a target forecasting of the company’s cash flows, a development of the specific events (managements’ decisions) aimed at overcoming the company’s financial difficulties and enhancing its financial position. The author has stated that in the present-day environment the target financial forecasting is an effective instrument of the financial forecasting that enables to set up the base for overcoming the company’s financial difficulties and strengthening its financial position.

The paper considers the current condition and problems of territorial planning of extra-urban transport in Russia. The paper analyzes the key parameters of improving the transport system of Russia as one of the most important elements of the economic system. The main social and economic requirements for documents of territorial planning of transport in Russia at the regional level are contained in the regional standards of urban planning design. They set the time limits for maximum transport accessibility from places where people live to places where important social and economic objects and service institutions are located. The paper provides examples of the most important promising projects in the construction of extra-urban transport infrastructure. Similarities and differences between general layouts and master plans in terms of territorial planning of transport infrastructure are shown. The problems of planning transport systems of urban agglomerations are considered. Recommendations are given for changing the methodology of territorial planning of extra-urban transport in Russia.

The author’s definition of marginal territories is based on the principle of their uniqueness, specificity, and isolation. Marginal territories mean closed border areas located on the edge of districts or isolated areas in the center under the influence of factors and released a higher diversity and number of species, characterized by isolation from the center, which are based on the isolation of life of the population of the district. The assessment of the quality of the environment for the comfort of living in marginal territories was carried out in comparison with the control areas related to the lands of localities and recreational territories. It is carried out on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the habitat of groups of organisms sensitive to environmental degradation, belonging to the department of Lichens. The assessment of the condition of marginal territories was carried out by methods of determining the degree of lichen cover and the air pollution level parameter, the biotic index parameter, and the poleo-tolerance index in comparison with control territories related to the lands of settlements and recreational territories.

The balanced scorecard (BSC) is one of well-trialled management instruments that are familiar to all market participants in the world. This fact allows for efficient utilization of BSC in conditions of globalization. The paper considers theoretical aspects of the applied strategic operational analysis (ASOA) based on the operational element of BSC to be applied in the research process of the strategic organization operational activity aspects and its production management. The methodology of the research is the BSC concept as well as the concept of the applied strategic analysis concept having been developed by the author. ASOA is depicted to encompass comparative assessment, variances diagnostics and indicators forecast of the operational BSC element within the strategic operational goals Due goods delivery, manufacturing cost and products quality compliance with customer’s demand are to be analyzed. The results can be applied for managerial decisions development in the field of an operational organization activity. The author draws a conclusion is drawn that ASOA is a new and sufficiently effective tool to research strategic aspects of the organization operational activity and to form an analytical support for the strategic operational management in the present-day global economic environment, especially to ensure economic sustainability in emerging markets.

The paper considers the ratio of the transport factor and the types of development of settlements in the suburban area of the Moscow capital region. The purpose of this research is to study the specific features of the development of settlements in various radial directions from the node (core) of Moscow capital region – the Moscow city. Data from publicly available electronic maps were used, including data from the public cadastral map. Historical and socio-economic prerequisites for the formation of various types of development along radial transport axes (public roads of regional and federal significance connecting Moscow with the territory of the Moscow region and other regions of Russia) are considered. Conclusions about the general and specific features of development along different directions at different distances from Moscow are drawn. The research confirms the hypothesis that the ratio of certain types of residential development along various highways differs from place to place depending on the time of the origin of the transport routes themselves, on the economically determined choice of investors, and in recent years – on the environmentally determined choice of the population.

In accordance with the standards of education for the development of cognitive activity and creative abilities, to work with a large amount of information and interact in a group, the paper suggests using the possibilities of a demonstration experiment in all courses of physical geography. In accordance with the standards of education for improving the quality of students’ knowledge, developing their cognitive activity, creative abilities, the mechanism of forming positive motivation in the process of independent activity in the acquisition of new knowledge and creative approach to the learning process is shown. The conducted pedagogical research on the selection of the content and forms of organization of the demonstration experiment showed the possibility of forming critical thinking in students on the basis of experimental activities in geography lessons. A wide introduction of a demonstration experiment that brings the quality of the lesson and extracurricular work to a new level with the provision of differentiation and individualization of the learning process is proposed.

The comparative analysis of two options for investment and construction projects, with partial robotization of production and traditional work organization was conducted on the criterion of time and cost minimizing the of construction. The use of two robot types was considered, a bricklayer and a plasterer robot. As a comparison result of main quantitative indicators of construction organization plan, it was found that the use of robots reduced the duration of construction, expenditures and labor costs. Lack of fatiguability, lunch breaks, smoke breaks, conversations, illnesses, as well as round-the-clock operation, the absence of malicious intents, no theft and, therefore, procedural violations, composition disorders, etc., allows to look at the introduction prospect of construction robots with optimism.

Nowadays, when making managerial decisions, specialists are faced with the need to process ever-increasing volumes of information in an increasingly shorter time. The need for the development of a methodology for social forecasting on the basis of detailed development models is growing. Since the basis of the activity of the socio-economic system of any level is an anthropogenic factor, this increases the degree of probability of the implementation of various scenarios. To develop more accurate forecasts, it is necessary to use the tools of the economics of quality standardization, metrology, quality management. Standardization determines the ability to normalize and assess sustainability indicators of development, as well as management methods. Metrology provides uniform methods for measuring these indicators. Based on the received information, quality management systems allow making reliable managerial decisions. The use of tools of the economics of quality is possible at almost all stages of socio-economic modelling. The role of elements of the economics of quality, in particular standardization, is especially growing in the development of the digital economy and “smart cities”, where a complete unification of the formats for accumulating and transmitting information to all users is required.

If there exists a particularly relevant configuration for analysing the circulation of imported management arrangements, it is indeed that of a country whose economies are said to be in transition. With this in view, the authors examine, regarding Russia, how decisions of macro-economic policies, called “shock therapies”, have turned out in terms of imported management arrangements, and how the latter cause tension with specific practices perfected during the soviet period. Basing their analysis on empirical inquiries done in six enterprises soon after 2000, the authors show the extent to which the will to implement certain characterisics of neo-management are singularly reminiscent of characterisics of “homo sovieticus”, thus reinforcing “traditional practices”, where arbitrary managerialism, clanism and Taylorism mingle.

Copyright of Recherches Sociologiques et Anthropologiques is the property of Centre Recherches Sociologique and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)