The paper examines the seasonal water balance of the Abay River basin (Ethiopia) using open-access satellite data and a hydrological model representing the formation of water resources. The conducted analysis and theoretical studies indicate that hydrological modeling and remote sensing are the most appropriate tools for assessing water balance, which is essential for determining water prices and op-timizing water resource management. In this work, QGIS models were applied to estimate water deficit during the dry season and water surplus during the rainy season, using those data to determine sea-sonal water balance for six years. To this end, the study employed GeoTIFF metadata and additional information, including a map projection, coordinate systems, ellipsoids, and baseline data necessary to establish the accurate spatial reference of the file. The water balance analysis required data on evapo-ration, precipitation, surface runoff, and surface water reserves in the Abay River basin. According to the calculation results, a significant surplus of water was noted during the rainy season and its deficit during the dry season. The obtained numerical data were used to model the timing of droughts and floods, as well as to manage urban drainage systems and agricultural irrigation.

This work addressed the problems of using information modelling in road facilities. One of the main scientific and technical tasks of implementing information modelling in the field of design and construc-tion of highways and engineering structures lies in its use throughout the entire life cycle of a road facility. It was revealed that such models should include the geometric characteristics of road facilities, local conditions in which they are located and basic data on the occurring processes. The applicability of information models at different stages of construction, reconstruction and reconditioning of roads and engineering structures were considered in order to ensure continuous monitoring of all technical programmes and data amendment. In order to implement the information modelling to design manage-ment, it is necessary to establish interaction between all the design participants by means of a special knowledge library represented by a catalog of standard solutions that can be used in subsequent pro-jects at variable component parameters. Software products used for the design of roads using infor-mation modelling were given. A 3D model of a motorway bridge containing the data on each element was presented, which allowed a spatial model of an engineering structure to be built. It was concluded that the use of information modelling of an object greatly facilitates the work of designers and con-struction workers, allowing for many advantages over previous means of developing road construction projects. This approach offers a combination and coordination of parts of the designed road object developed by different specialists and organisations.

This article addresses the influence of the Smart City concept on the investment potential of urban areas due to the existing demand of society and the state to attract additional investment flows for ur-ban development. In this regard, the state pays special attention to improving the living standards of urban residents, since it leads to a positive change in the investment potential of urban areas. This pa-per identifies the mechanisms of influence exerted by the Smart City concept on the living standards of citizens, as well as the relationship between the investment potential of the area and quality of life indicators. On the basis of a systematic approach, the mechanisms of decision-making at the communi-ty level were formulated, with the necessity of developing a strategy for applying the tools of the Smart City concept being proven. It was concluded that it is necessary to review the management of urban settlements, given the current level of socio-economic development. The technological principles and mechanisms for the implementation of this concept were formulated. As a result, efficient city man-agement using modern information technology and technical solutions, provided the efficient goal set-ting and determination of performance indicators, will improve the level of investment potential of cities under the admissible competition between them within the country.

The paper aims to identify problems associated with the assessment of residential real estate for pri-vate investors, as well as to define and characterize a private investor. A decision-making algorithm for private investors in residential real estate is presented, which allows individual characteristics of the investor to be taken into account. With the help of this algorithm, private investors can independently assess residential real estate for personal purposes. The proposed algorithm provides the basis for building a financial model of private investment in residential real estate. The study tested this algo-rithm, presenting a specific example of residential real estate assessment for investment purposes. The calculation results show the effectiveness of the proposed procedure in understanding investors’ interests in the residential real estate market. Moreover, the presented procedure can be easily digit-ized, thus allowing an unqualified private investor to use it as a practical guide in the assessment of residential real estate investment properties. In digital form, the proposed algorithm can be used as a smartphone application.

This paper addresses the characteristics of road design under permafrost conditions. Economic and mathematical calculations were used along with practical experience of “Svaybur” and “Gidrostroiengineering” companies, involved in road construction and maintenance for a long period. The prices for construction materials for economic and mathematical calculations were determined using the Integrated Construction Price Standards for Capital Construction Projects for Non-Production Uses. ICP 81-02-08-2017. Collection No. 08: Roads. The environmental requirements were based on the recommended practices developed by the Federal Agency “Rosavtodor”. The cost of maintaining and reconstructing a damaged section of road can exceed by several times the estimated construction cost of the whole section, as well as hinder the logistics and transport accessibility of the agricultural land. In some cases, the environment of the surrounding land may be adversely affected, since harmful contaminants that under normal conditions are bound by the top and bottom structures of the road are released into the soil due to its erosion. The paper examines the economic and environmental problems of designing roads connecting important logistics centres under insular permafrost and permafrost conditions. Here, the calculation of construction costs for road reinforced using screw piles if necessary to prevent the erosion of some road sections during spring floods or heavy precipitation is presented, along with a comparative analysis of construction costs for roads under insular permafrost and permafrost conditions.

In order to improve the accuracy of estimated construction costs, a reform of the pricing policy in con-struction is being implemented by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation aimed at introducing the input method of estimated cost calculation. Therefore, the current state of pricing in the construction industry of the Irkutsk region was analysed in this work. It is the ac-curate determination of construction and overhaul costs at each stage of the project that is essential for all parties involved in investment activities, since inaccurate calculations have a negative impact on the financial planning by investors and can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the activities and, consequently, a decrease in the quality of work by contractors. Here, problems, along with their possi-ble consequences, are identified and described. In addition, the estimated cost of maintenance and demolition activities calculated by different methods was compared; the opportunity cost of transport-ing materials for the construction of an art school in the Irkutsk region was calculated. Using the ob-tained results, the disadvantages of determining the estimated cost of construction were highlighted. Suggestions for improving the innovative methods of calculating the estimated cost were offered.

In this work, the challenges of modernising space in the scientific library of the Irkutsk National Re-search Technical University within the framework of the program of renovation of the educational envi-ronment are addressed. The interiors of the IRNTU library were used as a design object. It is neces-sary to reconstruct the educational landscape following the changes in the educational process, given the new forms and methods of teaching at the university reflected in the development of the library structure, as well as the brand. The new requirements of visitors are both simple and complex: the main advantages of the library should be openness, accessibility and comfort. On the one hand, comprehensive data should be provided through mobile, open-source library collections, which meet the growing demands of users; on the other hand, comfortable conditions should ensure this process. A modern library visitor evaluates the technological potential, as well as the organisation of the internal subject-spatial environment. The spatial model focuses on the needs of students and teachers (as the social composition of the audience in the educational organisation) for accessibility, flexibility, usability and technical resources. Social and age stratification of space dictates functional, compositional and colour solutions. The development of a new university environment is proposed, with a comprehensive design process being presented. A unique public space is created by a conceptual solution, followed by the subsequent development of a design project.

This article studies territorial transformations, along with the management of rural settlements, carried out by the Russian government in the 19th–early 20th centuries. The methods of historiographic and cartographic analysis, as well as the study of archival sources and statistical data, were used. The work was carried out in two stages: identification of the land-use pattern at the state level within the contem-porary borders of administrative structure; study of the management of the relocation process and def-inition of basic principles in the planning of migration sites. A retrospective analysis of the land use as-sociated with a rural community was presented as diagrams and cartographic materials reflecting the state of territorial development in migration areas. The collected historiographic materials, statistical data and regulatory support reflect the main methods for managing the relocation process and the ex-perience of planning rural settlement at the state level. The migration areas were allocated from free state reserves in the form of individual farms and plots of land. The process management was based on a system of committees involving various specialists, whose tasks included the organisation of so-cial and engineering infrastructure. The performed study of the settlement territory, the allocation of lands for farming societies and minorities, the ordering of the existing land use and the identification of the economic and agricultural potential of the region comprise the methods of the preliminary compre-hensive analysis of the territory during settlement planning. The obtained results are essential for ana-lysing the dynamics of territorial development and studying methods and practices of territorial plan-ning of the rural settlement system.

In this work, a software package was developed in order to investigate the applicability of conductors having different cross-sections for installing internal electrical networks in individual households. A combination of general scientific methods, including circuit theory, numerical analysis and visualisation using MATLAB graphical editor, was used. The state of individual households in the Irkutsk region was analysed. It was confirmed that one of the most common causes of combustion associated with the construction of internal electrical networks of individual households involves unbalanced phase cur-rents, leading to additional heat losses, which give rise to fire hazards. A thermal calculation of the electric network functioning under normal operating conditions was carried out in order to obtain ex-pressions for determining the maximum permissible values of the neutral conductor current of the in-ternal electrical network of the house. These algorithms and programs were used to tabulate the limit values of the zero sequence currents for different cross-sections of the conductor material and tem-perature ranges. The efficiency of using balanced/unbalanced converters to mitigate the negative ef-fects of unbalanced power consumption was demonstrated by a field test. It can be concluded that one of the most efficient ways to reduce fire hazards in individual houses involves balancing the operating modes of the internal electrical network. The obtained data may therefore be used by construction or-ganisations, as well as the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, which monitors the fire safety of individual houses.

Due to the considerable costs involved in industrial wastewater treatment, the introduction of open (low-discharge) and closed water circulation systems is the most sensible way to prevent environmen-tal pollution at industrial companies. Since the level of circulating water treatment can be much lower than that required for discharge into a water body, the installation of closed water circulation systems can achieve both the economic and total effects of environmental protection. Despite the seemingly obvious advantages of this approach, it requires a serious feasibility analysis. The life cycle costs of a construction project can be estimated according to GOST R 58785-2019 Water Quality. Life Cycle Cost Estimation for Efficient Operation of Water Supply and Sanitation Systems and Facilities. However, at the initial (pre-project) stage, the analysis can be based on benchmarks. Large industrial companies make extensive use of foreign estimation methods. The paper presents the results of a feasibility analysis obtained using different methods to justify investments in the reconstruction of wa-ter treatment facilities at an oil refinery.

In this work, the anthropogenic influence on the water quality in Lake Baikal was evaluated, since Lake Baikal contains 19% of the total freshwater resources. The use of data on the water quality near the Listvyanka village allows the changes in the content of ammonia, sulphates, nitrates, iron, phosphates and other substances suspended in water to be monitored. The characteristics of collected water samples were compared to previously obtained data. The evaluation of sample quality involved various techniques, including photometry using spectrophotometers, "blue ribbon" filters and desiccators. The obtained results showed that some of the indicators, for example, the amounts of suspended solids, sulphates and nitrates, significantly exceed those obtained in 2016 and 2020. The comparative analysis of samples collected in different years indicated a significant deterioration in water quality over this period. This can be explained by the lack of funds for the development and reconstruction of water and wastewater treatment facilities, along with an unregulated touristic flow, requiring the appropriate walkways, routes and utility systems in order to reduce the anthropogenic impact on the waters of Lake Baikal.

This paper addresses a method for determining priority areas for ensuring and maintaining the suffi-cient reliability and efficiency of existing water supply and distribution systems, based on previously obtained mathematical models of water sampling (cross-section method) and flow distribution. The main task of the organisations, operating water supply and distribution systems, involves a high-quality water supply to consumers. Regardless of the wear of water supply and distribution systems, as well as changes in their structural state, the water having suitable parameters must be supplied to the con-sumer in the required quantity. Given the variety of regimes, modelling the operation of water supply and distribution systems indicates a wide range of their possible behaviour, for example, poor quality of supply to consumers during trouble-free operation or no impact of shutdowns of some sections on the quality of supply. It is necessary to analyse the systems and model their operation regimes using a mathematical tool. Here, probabilistic nodal reliability indices of water supply to consumers were used in mathematical models. They include Kj and Pj, decomposed into components characterising the wear of elements (sections) in the system and the reliability of supply to consumers in each of its structural states. The need to adjust the system parameters to ensure the required level of reliability of its opera-tion was assessed, with various solutions being outlined. The technical and economical comparison of possible measures allows an optimum option to be determined, prioritising the replacement of outdated elements and the construction of additional elements (sections) of the system. All stages of the sug-gested method, which can be widely used by organisations, maintaining water supply and distribution systems, are shown in the example of a system.

In this work, the issues arising during the construction of low-rise buildings in Eastern Siberia in 2021–2022 were addressed, including the changes associated with the special military operation and West-ern and the USA sanctions against Russia. Attention was paid to the characterisation of the main tech-nologies used in the construction of low-rise buildings. The necessity of using novel approaches to solving the problems associated with the implementation of engineering infrastructure facilities, in-tended as components of new low-rise construction projects, was substantiated. 90% of low-rise build-ings comprise private suburban wooden houses, most suitable for living in an area characterised by a harsh climate. Among the used construction materials, rounded logs, laminated veneer lumber, bricks, cellular concrete, and aerated concrete should be mentioned. Naturalness, environmental friendliness and low thermal conductivity are among the advantages of wooden constructions. Due to certain limita-tions of the regulatory framework in the construction industry associated with low-rise buildings, it is necessary to improve legislation in this area, as well as strengthen control over the quality of work. The main issues were addressed, including rising prices for construction materials, a reduction in incomes, a delay in obtaining a building permit, weak competition and a small number of modern equipment. The main trends in the development of low-rise construction, the potential of the modern construction in-dustry in Eastern Siberia, its prospects and modernisation were determined.

Economic digitalization, along with the transition to a new technological paradigm, has given rise to an ongoing transformation in the Russian Federation, expanding the high-tech industry and driving inno-vation across a wide range of economic sectors. However, the digitization level in the development and construction sectors currently remains one of the lowest among industries, despite the fact that con-struction is involved in creating production capacity and contributes to the growth of fixed assets, which ensures expanded reproduction in the entire economy. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the implementation of digital and innovative technologies in the construction sector, as its digital trans-formation can produce a synergistic effect reducing project costs in general, as well as improving the competitiveness of construction organizations and strengthening their position in the market.

The paper aims to analyze the historical-cultural potential of the Irkutsk city center, to consider the uniqueness and identity of its urban environment, as well as to explore the opportunities and experi-ences associated with the commercialization of historical buildings and relevant measures. The specif-ics of Irkutsk’s cultural heritage, its architectural landmarks, and tourist attractions are discussed in the study. In addition, the work examines the historical center of Irkutsk in terms of its architectural and space-planning features, along with the typology of buildings, comprising the historical and cultural heritage of varying significance. The concepts of identity and authenticity in Irkutsk’s development are defined. As part of the historical site development, it is proposed to commercialize cultural heritage (including wooden structures) through tourism (temporary accommodation), food service, and trade (gift shops, etc.). In order to attract attention to potentially suitable sites, it is suggested to develop new tourist routes connecting Irkutsk’s quarters that feature historical buildings preserved in their orig-inal state. The study presents a route plan proposed in a graduation thesis within the training program Reconstruction and Restoration of Architectural Heritage at the Irkutsk National Research Technical University (author – A. K. Mainovskaya; supervisor – A. N. Prokudin).

This article considers the problems of obtaining construction products in winter, along with complex technological processes, in the light of scientific achievements and analysis of influencing factors when solving thermophysical problems, as well as evaluating the results on production indicators, especially those related to economics. The accumulated domestic and foreign experience reflects years of intensive work carried out by scientists and engineers, which continues to this day. In Eastern Siberia and neighbouring regions characterised by a prolonged winter period, construction works are carried out all year round. Special attention should be paid to planning construction activities in winter and developing working documentation in view of the seasonality of work. The material and technical resources of the construction contractor should be taken into account, mainly the feasibility of the operational plans for construction and installation activities and the financing schedule. The paper includes examples of winter construction demonstrating the existing limitations, in particular the increased energy consumption. Some recommendations are given aimed at improving the quality of project documentation.

This article discusses approaches to forecasting the earthquake odds of a given intensity level. This problem is relevant for the earthquake-prone zone in the south of the Irkutsk region characterised by an estimated intensity of shaking of up to 9 points, where large, populated areas having developed industrial and civil construction are located. The intensity values for Irkutsk were obtained using the analysed data on the seismic activity of the Baikal and Transbaikalia regions in 1973–2020 by the equa-tion of the macroseismic field. The algorithm for predicting large and medium-sized earthquakes in-volves mathematical statistics and probability theory. A corresponding empirical distribution was derived on the basis of a sample of the maximum intensity values for the specified period in each year. The potential applicability of common distribution functions for describing the intensity distribution of seis-mic vibrations was considered. It was established that the normal distribution function provides the most accurate description of statistical data. It was concluded that, by using this function, it is possible to determine the high-intensity vibration odds that can lead to serious destruction, as well as their most probable annual peak intensity, which may allow for measures ensuring the resistance of load-bearing structures of buildings to background seismic impacts.

The historical and architectural heritage of St. Petersburg dacha (summer residence) as part of Russia’s cultural heritage was studied. The research methods included on-site inspections and architectural measurements, photo-fixation of studied objects, archive and museum search, historico-bibliographical search in the repositories of rare ancient books and cartographic divisions of scientific libraries. As a result, the phenomenon of "dacha recreation" was studied. Specific features of the St. Petersburg dacha environment were revealed. On the one hand, the dacha environment is associated with the traditions of spatial organisation of cities and rural settlements in Russia. On the other, the dacha environment is characterised by originality and the absence of a rigid hierarchy in its planning and composition, with the natural environment representing the major formative factor. The determined periodisation of dacha construction included the 1703–1830s, 1830s–early 1860s, 1860s–1890s and 1890s–1917 periods. Areas of active dacha construction were revealed. Thus, dacha construction in the St. Petersburg province was performed predominantly along highways, waterways, railroads and coastline of the Gulf of Finland. A typology of dacha settlements was proposed, including dacha suburbs, dacha villages, dacha resorts and dacha settlements. These types were differentiated in terms of size and population, title and organisation of living activities, type of foundation and administrative status, as well as principles of 3D-planning structure. Particular attention is paid to the unique historical and architectural value of dacha settlements of the St. Petersburg province and importance of its exploration and preservation. It is proposed to use the traditions of creating highly-artistic and optimally-organised dacha recreation environments during the design of contemporary suburban recreational spaces.

In this study, we examine a contemporary church building as a powerful symbol of cultural and archi-tectural identity of a city. The city space organized around and inside a religious building is considered as an important public space from the perspective of civilizational culture. During the study, a compara-tive analysis of European and Russian contemporary sacral construction was carried out with the pur-pose of forecasting the development of the present Orthodox architecture, taking into account possi-ble trends, styles and directions. A field survey of 150 contemporary churches in Austria was carried out. Their evolutionary development over the past 120 years was examined both empirically and using scientific literature. In addition, a number of Russian churches, including restored or renovated histori-cal buildings as well as new facilities built after the collapse of the USSR, were studied. As a result, an assessment and explanation of the inevitable appearance of modern trends in the Orthodox Church architecture is given. Historicisms, existing in the Orthodox architecture of our time, are assumed to be related to the forced 70-year pause in the development of Orthodox architecture, rather than to the greater conservatism of the Orthodox religion. Any architecture, even its conservative religious type, responds to events occurring in a society and to arising new cultural and functional needs. As a result, due to a competent interaction of architects and customers, the existing architectural style starts to change gradually in terms of its spatial organization, form, composition, general appearance of the in-ner and outer space, thus giving rise to new symbols of cultural and architectural identity. With the ad-dition of new functions, a church remains to be a unique public building, forming public urban spaces both in and around itself.

Hinged ventilated facade systems can be used to protect buildings from damaging effects and to achieve various designing and structural goals. The study aims to analyse the most common facing construction materials for the installation of hinged ventilated facades. The question of selecting an optimal facing material is relevant for both building owners, building designers and building residents, since it is the facade that sets the tone for the rest of the building. The present study considers the standard design of the ventilated facade, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of existing fac-ing materials for ventilated facades. A comparative analysis of the characteristics of facing materials is carried out. It is noted that the building can be faced by expensive materials, yet having inferior tech-nical characteristics, or relatively inexpensive materials, yet performing their main functions. In addition to aesthetic properties, the facing material should perform the protection of both the facade walls and the subsystem (metal) components, including insulation. In the conclusion, the authors describe the facing material with the most optimal characteristics among those studied in the paper.

The characteristics of modelling the combined action of reinforcement and concrete on the example of composite reinforcement are discussed. In the work, glass-fibre and basalt composite A-type de-formed reinforcing bars were considered. The studied samples of composite reinforcement comprised a power rod having an anchor layer, evenly distributed on the surface at an angle to its longitudinal ax-is. The anchor layer was manufactured from a thermosetting resin and a continuously reinforcing filler. A-type reinforcement is formed by pressing the reinforcing bundle into the power rod, while ribs are generated on the surface. The experiments carried out using concrete cubes having a rib size of 15 cm and prisms having a cross-section of 15×15 cm and height of 60 cm showed that the average val-ues of maximum adhesion strength of the studied reinforcement samples are comparable and meet the established standards. Conversely, the use of basalt composites has a negligible impact on the adhe-sion of reinforcement to concrete. This indicator is significantly affected by the configuration of the external profile of the rod. In addition, the uniform operation of the “reinforcement – concrete” system was noted. Due to the reinforcement profile used during the experiment, uniform and stable behaviour of the rod in concrete was achieved, as demonstrated by the stress-displacement diagrams based on the results of the pull-out test. The obtained adhesion of composite glass-fibre and basalt reinforce-ment to concrete allows general dependencies for calculating the anchoring of this reinforcement in concrete to be used.

This paper addressed the selection of overhaul methods for roads in the permafrost area. Ensuring the strength and stability of the road base and engineering structures under the permafrost conditions and deep seasonal freezing of soils remains one of the main scientific and technical challenges of road construction and maintenance in the northern regions. The main factors causing the failure of road structures were reviewed, including both climate change and complex geological and hydrogeological conditions of the area. Since the construction of the Amur Road, the deformation has been observed in many of its sections. In 2012, the Federal State Institution of Road Management “Zabaykalye”, to-gether with engineering and scientific organisations, developed a target programme for inspecting such sections. The article discusses the renovation measures and technologies elaborated under this programme, which include the construction of culverts, rockfills, thermal diodes and cooling layers, awnings, and protective berms. The monitoring of the repaired sections shows insignificant defor-mation of the road surface and road base; 55 % of the sections were fully stabilised. However, the fi-nal assessment of the permafrost stabilisation will take a longer time. The establishment of an effective system of engineering-geocryological monitoring for the Amur Road should become the most im-portant measure, whose implementation will allow dangerous deformations to be prevented and effi-cient measures for protecting the roadbed from their negative impact to be developed.

The development of low-rise housing construction is a key priority in the Russian Federation due to its potential to increase the total volume of housing construction. An increase in the share of this type of construction is a goal set in federal programmes and projects in the field of housing policy. At the same time, in order to make low-rise housing more popular among the population, its constructional stages should be optimized both at the operational and technological levels. In this regard, the study is aimed at updating methodological approaches to the organization of low-rise housing construction by identifying critical points in the operational processes of construction works. The study was conducted using the methods of system analysis and empirical research. Relevant research publications by Rus-sian and foreign scientists on the topic were reviewed. The sequence of processes in low-rise hous-ing construction is considered with a detailed description of each stage. The analysis of the distin-guished stages allowed the authors to identify critical points and possible deviations, as well as the causes of deviations and possible preventive measures. Strategies for improving the quality of con-struction works are proposed. The determination of critical points and development of managerial strategies can ensure the effectiveness of the organisational mechanism applied during the implemen-tation of low-rise housing projects for developers.

The possibility of applying wastewater truck transport in existing, developing and reconstructed wastewater discharge systems is considered. Truck transport in the form of wastewater vacuum trucks has been used for decades to collect and remove wastewaters from cesspools and septic tanks of pri-vate housing and individual enterprises. In this regard, the volumes and distances of economically profitable application of truck transport should be determined, along with the conditions for switching to pipeline wastewater transport in the form of pressure and non-pressure pipelines. Such questions often arise when developing prospective schemes of wastewater discharge in small populated or re-mote urbanized areas. The amount of truck transportation of wastewaters is increasing annually, large-ly due to intensification of individual housebuilding and the need to improve living conditions in rural populated areas. However, the conducted analysis showed the absence of a recommendatory and leg-islative basis for the stated problem to be solved. In the course of the study, the dependences of the life cycle cost of pipeline and truck discharge systems on the volume of wastewaters and the distance of their transportation were obtained. An overlapping of these functions gives intersection points indi-cating the possibility of applying truck and pipeline wastewater transport in certain areas. According to the volumes and distances of wastewater transportation, the application areas of truck transport de-pend on the local conditions of pipeline construction, regional seismic activity, electric power cost and environmental requirements. These results can be used in wastewater logistics, organization and opti-mization of district wastewater discharge systems, as well as when developing methods for optimizing design solutions.

In this article, implementing digitalisation in the educational process of students of creative disciplines is discussed. The research is based on the final paper completed within the framework of the profes-sional retraining programme entitled “Project Management in Digital Educational Environment of a Uni-versity” (NRNU MEPhI). The importance of collecting the digital footprint of students during the learn-ing process as valuable information content was revealed, which allows feedback in the teaching pro-cess to be established in order to adjust the educational path. The challenges of implementing the digi-tal footprint acquisition of students attending Art and Design were formulated, and the existing oppor-tunities for implementing this process were assessed. The principles of digitalisation in the educational process based on the performance (”to know”, “to be able to”, “to master”) were defined, which allows the methods of digital footprint acquisition to be identified. The study showed that forming a working model of “student–young professional–production” is based on the digitalisation of education, which implies a well-functioning system of “teacher–content–student–information technology”.

The development directions and formation features of contemporary urban parks in China are investigated by reviewing the current news and information sources as well as scientific publications on the principles of contemporary urban park development in China. The study reveals main trends in the development of contemporary urban parks under the influence of the human factor. Thus, in recent years, city residents have increasingly favoured diversified urban ecological parks. Traditional urban ecological parks no longer correspond to contemporary ideas about the high quality of life, making diversification the only way to meet the needs of residents. In accordance with this trend, the design of contemporary urban ecological parks will develop towards diversification and humanization. Although the number of urban parks in mainland China increased significantly between 1980 and 2020, this number is still insufficient to maintain the necessary level of the physical activity of residents. The low number of parks per 10,000 residents, as compared to the US and Japan urban park systems, can lead to the problem of accessibility of public park services. Concerns about spatial inequality are also evident across provinces, city classes and individual cities. In accordance with the policy of prioritized urbanization, inequality is expected to grow unless preventive measures are taken.

The study is aimed at improving highway alignment charts in order to improve the operating character-istics of highway sections, adapt them to regulatory requirements for heavy transport and reconstruct accident-prone sections based on information produced by state-of-the-art data collection systems for road objects without costly geodetic surveys. The article presents methods for constructing a digital preliminary trajectory of a highway using relationship databases and algorithms that implement these approaches according to data from video certification. As a result, a preliminary highway alignment chart that meets current regulatory documents is developed, including the impact severity of fences for heavy transport. It is noted that the problems of constructing preliminary alignment charts of high-ways for heavy transport in Russia could be solved without conducting costly geodetic surveys, but relying on digital trade and regional databases of road facilities, which are permanently updated by state-of-the-art data collection systems for road objects.

In this work, based on the analysis and classification of arranging modern Austrian churches within the urban structure, an analogy with Russian churches was drawn, the development of the modern architecture of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 21st century was forecasted, the location of contemporary sacral architecture in the current urban area of Irkutsk was considered, and a trend to reestablish traditional techniques was revealed. Over 100 modern churches of Austrian cities, including Vienna, Salzburg, Graz and their suburbs, were examined and photofiled; the scientific publications of Austrian architects and art historians in this field were studied. The reforms in the Catholic Church in the 20th century that influenced the siting, style and form of religious architecture were addressed, and the dynamic transformation of sacred architecture was analysed. Contemporary and reconstructed historical sacral buildings of Irkutsk were examined and analysed. The tendencies in their development were summarised in the light of newly erected buildings and conceptual student and professional architectural designs of churches. Due to the political turmoil of 1917 in Russia, the development of the Russian Orthodox Church has been halted for 70 years. Thus, at the end of the 20th century, the sacral architecture revived in the same state it was destroyed. However, as a symbol of culture and architectural identity, public space, touristic and urban attraction, it has been slowly renovated over the past 30 years; new architectural solutions and locations in the urban space are being modernised. The studies show that any architectural style, even the conservative religious architecture, responds to the social phenomena and its emerging needs, resulting in a gradual change of its status in the urban development, as well as spatial organisation, composition, form and architectural style, through its implementers, namely architects and customers.

In the article, a method for designing databases for the road industry that meets the requirements of the digital economy was developed. The set-theory analysis of complex systems implemented by relational databases (RDBs) was used. This approach meets current trends in the global digital economy, where relational databases provide efficient operation of the banking sector, industrial production management, fast data processing (bank cards, Internet search), etc. The Department of Roads at Irkutsk National Research Technical University designed and is developing the road database for the Irkutsk region. The paper considers the concept of this project and prospects of its further development with a view to the possible use of this database by remote users. The specifics of digital economy in the Russian Federation call for establishing branches and territorial databases, including the road database for the Russian regions. The efficient solutions for such a database were proposed, including, in particular, integrating remote users with the back-end database based on the attribute characteristics to limit the available content and allowable changes to the back-end data.

The Siberian fortifications of the 17–18th centuries represent an important part of Russian wooden architecture, significant both for world and local histories of the development of wooden architecture. The identification of specific architectural and construction approaches used to erect fortresses during the epoch of the accession of Siberia to Russia, namely the East Siberia and the Amur Region, is es-sential for studying the main principles of establishing ostrogs (fortresses) and settlements. The study is aimed at clarifying the meaning of such architectural and construction terms of Russian wooden for-tification architecture as “gorodnya” and “nagorodnya”, which are encountered in historical sources of the 17th century compiled by Russian explorers and fortress builders. The following research methods were used: systemic approach, analogic method and complex approach with the application of architec-tural 3D markers representing the units of specific historico-architectural and town-building infor-mation, which were preserved in the data about the studied object. Textual, graphic and archaeological materials were used. The main results included the widening of "gorodnya" and "nagorodnya" architec-tural and construction terms of the 17–18th centuries, as well as the graphic reconstruction of Albazino Ostrog walls in accordance with new scientific data. Despite the fact that options for the reconstruction of such fortress walls have been proposed previously, the clarifications in this work are more objec-tive. The obtained results can be used for a more precise organisation of historical, architectural, town-building and archaeological works, as well as in restoration and reconstruction processes.

This article investigates specific features of urban land management. Urban land management is ac-quiring particular importance, since the major focus of urban development consists in satisfying the needs of city residents. To this end, governments aim to address the problems of forming and manag-ing cities and city resources, including lands. We argue that urban lands are valuable territorial spaces that are actively involved in investment and construction processes. In this regard, city development priorities should rely on effective management of existing land resources, which have a great potential for increasing the investment attractiveness of urban territories. A number of suggestions are pro-posed to solve these tasks. It is concluded that an integral system of land management can only be formed at the state level. This requires a mechanism describing an expected economic impact, which is aimed at fulfilling state obligations in the field of land policy, creating social guarantees, ensuring the rights of land subjects, and improving the environmental situation. As a result, the competent use of land resources will contribute to overcoming crisis social phenomena, ensuring sustainable economic growth and improving the life quality of urban population on the basis of increasing the territorial value.

An experimental-probabilistic analysis of variations in the load-bearing capacity of bending reinforced concrete elements with matrices reinforced by polypropylene fibres was carried out. A numerical ex-periment was conducted using the normative methodology of multi-link and layerwise modelling of el-ement cross-sections and experimental "σ-ε" diagrams of fibrocomposites in initial and post-cyclic (50 cycles with η = 0.8 amplitude and zero asymmetry) states. Probabilistic changes in the load-bearing capacity of bending elements subjected to cyclic loads were estimated by the numerical strength modelling of rectangular beams (b × h = 100 × 200 mm) with the one-sided reinforcement (A400 class) of varying intensity. The observed high value of fatigue life of reinforced concrete ele-ments with fibre-reinforced matrices was found to be associated with the presence of mechanisms compensatory for structural changes, i.e., a decrease in the strength is accompanied by an increase in the ability to redistribute internal forces. A post-cyclic reduction in the strength of concrete causes practically no effect on the load-bearing capacity of bending elements with a large and economically preferable range of their structural reinforcement. The reliability kinetics of elements, estimated by the level of the realised concrete strength potential, was analysed. Moderate (μ ≤ μR) reinforcement was found to result in objective conditions for increasing the completeness of the stress diagram in the compressed cross-sectional part due to the redistribution of forces along the height. In this case, de-spite a significant decrease in the strength of concrete, the load-bearing capacity of elements at μ ≤ 2.5% reinforcement remains practically the same after cyclic effects.

Real structural elements exhibit various nonlinear properties, which are most significantly manifested during intensive dynamic processes. The deviation of mechanical characteristics from the linear ones adopted in idealised models, for which the problem of eigenvalues is solved, can lead to unacceptable calculation errors or completely false results. For this reason, the accuracy and applicability of linear models and resulting methods based on solving problems of eigenvalues remain an open question. The study is aimed at the analysis of errors associated with the application of spectral methods in “best” approximations of nonlinear characteristics by linear dependences, obtained on the basis of root-mean-square approximations, which prevent superfluous doubts about the result formation. A dy-namic model of an unsupported beam with two concentrated masses oscillating in directions perpen-dicular to the stiffness axis was considered. For the linear model, the accuracy of approximating the initial nonlinear stiffness was assessed by comparing the amplitude displacement values and velocities of the system at the linearized and initial stiffness. In addition, a comparison of the above linearization method with the linearization by a zero first derivative of the nonlinear stiffness function is considered. The discrepancies in the results represent the functions of initial conditions. The limit values of devia-tions at the maximum point of the function, describing the nonlinearity of stiffness, comprised 2.02 and 10.55% for the methods of standard deviation and zero first derivative, respectively. The obtained re-sults require clarification with regard to structural systems used in construction practice.

In this work, a theoretical basis for a comprehensive assessment of the environmental hazard of wastes, which are formed during the functioning of critical infrastructure in residential territories, is de-veloped. In addition, a resource-saving (resource-recovering) system is proposed for ensuring the protection of natural environment and vitally important human interests from the anthropogenic impact of wastes, thus creating favourable conditions for the vital activity of a population. The study was con-ducted using mathematical methods, such as mathematical logic and vector algebra, for assessing the system of an ecologically safe critical infrastructure of populated areas. It is argued that the formation of a resource-saving system, which does not include wastes as its constituent element, provides the integrity of a closed material-raw cycle. Moreover, such a system reduces the formation of waste mate-rial masses (sources of environmental hazard) as a quantitative result of the system to zero. It is shown that environmental hazards in residential areas can be prevented in those places, where a system of processing construction and other products at the last life cycle stage as secondary resources is im-plemented and no hazardous wastes are forwarded for disposal in the natural environment. The ob-tained results can be used when assessing the environmental safety of concepts, strategies, pro-grammes and projects at federal, regional and sectoral levels in the field of resource saving, waste and secondary resources management, as well as for ensuring the environmental safety of residential are-as.

This study continues the author's article series aimed at examining the territory of garage cooperatives (GCs) in Irkutsk as prospective development areas and reserves of urban lands. The “garage amnesty” law accepted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation provides the citizens with the possibility to legalise their garages and land plots, which makes the integrated development of GCs highly specific. The study analyses territories of the most valuable landscapes in the southern part of the Sverdlovsk Okrug occupied with GCs, which impede their integrated development. An empirical research method was used, including a description, comparison by districts and calculation of actual GC areas formed by 2021 in Irkutsk. An analysis of the GC location was carried out with the provision of absolute and relative indicators. In the process of the study, a strategy for improving the quality of the living environment by transforming the areas of garage cooperatives into attractive recreational zones with highly effective multifunctional facilities was developed. This strategy proposes a compact storage of cars, their maintenance, arrangement of individual vegetable storages and organisation of other public functions at the places of GC location with the transformation of the latter into a comfortable environment both for owners of personal vehicles and neighbourhood residents. GC territories can be transformed into potential sites of city development. The paper contains schemes and research results obtained in the framework of the final qualification work in the "Architecture" speciality of student M.V. Malkina (2021) under the guidance of the author of the present article at the Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU).

The study is aimed at the development of management and engineering solutions at the overhaul stage of a construction facility represented by A-331 “Vilyui” highway (Tulun – Bratsk – Ust'-Kut – Mirny – Yakutsk) using its digital model. The research methodology is based on the BIM modelling concept used in domestic and foreign practice during the overhaul of construction facilities using Au-todesk Revit software and automated control systems for road construction equipment. The overhaul repair of highways represents one of the priority directions in road construction, which is aimed at the restoration of upper road structural layers taking into account the evenness and roughness require-ments. In order to improve the efficiency of management decisions, it is advisable to integrate 3D-modelling tools into the generally accepted overhaul stages in the life cycle of construction facilities, which optimizes the overhaul projects and ensures their digital maturity. On this basis, the article pre-sents a digital information model for a capital construction object taking into account factors impeding its wide application. The stages of forming management and engineering documentation using auto-mated design tools are analysed. An analysis of the integration of BIM technologies into the overhaul stage in the life cycle of construction objects was carried out using the example of A-331 "Vilyui" high-way. Based on the applied digital model, the schedules of works and material supply were developed, along with the specification of requirements for machines, mechanisms and labour costs. The auto-mated design tools applied during the overhaul of construction facilities were shown to be applicable for obtaining the actual distribution of the volumes of repair works, determining the planned time inter-val of their fulfilment, as well as optimizing the expenditure of the budgetary funds and other re-sources.

A methodology for identifying sections in water supply and distribution systems (WSDSs) that inhibit high-quality water supply is proposed. The study is based on the previously developed mathematical models of water withdrawal (cross-sectional method) and flow distribution. Effective WSDS manage-ment requires not only consideration of water withdrawal patterns from WSDSs and probabilistic structural variations, but also assessment of the impact of individual components (sections) and their weight contribution on the system performance. During the analysis, Kj and Рj probabilistic reliability indicators of water supply to consumers were used. These indicators include the following compo-nents: probabilities of WSDS fault-free and emergency structural states (ordinary failure stream) and probabilities of supplying water to consumers in these states. The reliability of consumer supply in each state is assessed using partial indicators Kji and Рji. Conclusions about the operational quality of each section can be made by comparing partial indicators with normalized values. Using partial indi-cators obtained in structural states, it is possible to assess the overburden of sections and their im-portance for ensuring the necessary quality of consumer supply, as well as to evaluate their backup line operation. An example of a particular system is used to demonstrate all steps of the proposed methodology. The need to use the previously developed software application for analysing the WSDS operation is justified. The software allows partial reliability indicators Kji and Рji to be determined for each structural state of the system. The proposed methodology for identifying WSDS sections with a capacity inhibiting reliable water supply can be used when designing new or surveying existing WSDSs.

In this work, a concept of modern residential development, including public infrastructure, integrated seamlessly into the historic centre of Irkutsk was elaborated. The proposed location of the quarter lies within the boundaries of Rabochaya Street, the territory of the Machine-Building Plant, the Ushakovka river embankment and Frank Kamenetsky and Oktyabrskaya Revolution streets. The contemporary town planning structures within the historical context were analysed using the examples of various cities. The components of urban identity and trends, which affect its formation, were studied. The characteristics of the form making for the objects having different purposes within the urban structure of Irkutsk were defined. Design solutions for constructing a modern residential area together with public buildings in the historic centre of Irkutsk were provided. When developing the project, studying urban identity and its implementation in the design solutions was emphasised. The proposed concept aims to preserve urban identity and stresses the characteristics of the historic architecture of the city in current urban development.

The article presents the results of an experimental part of the probabilistic and statistical approach to the design accounting of consequences caused by non-stationary stochastic changes in the temperature and humidity of external environment. Cryogenic effects of the environment are modelled by cyclic freezing tests according to the third method of GOST 1006-2012. Two series of cubic and prismatic (100 × 100 × 400 mm) samples were tested, including standard concrete (SC) and fibrous concrete (FC, µ = 1.5%) reinforced by polypropilen fibres with df = 0.8 mm diameter and lf = 40 mm length. Following the specified number of cycles, the samples were subject to axial compression under the constant deformation rate of 5·10-3 1/s. The kinetics of cyclic freezing and thawing is analysed. In addition, the cross-correlation between the statistics of the strength and deformability distribution in the standard and fibrous concretes was assessed using complete σb – εb diagrams and discrete models corresponding to different stages of the deformation response. It is proposed to differentiate the criteria conditions for assessing the consequences of climatic structural degradation taking into account the usability specification of structures.

The practice of operation of gravity sewer networks of domestic wastewater shows that sediment de-posits are formed in the chute section of pipes at certain velocities of the gravity flow. These deposits affect the hydraulic characteristics of the flow, which depend on the actual thickness of the sediment layer in sewer pipes. In this study, a velocity diagram reflecting the distribution of actual velocity values of wastewater flow along the depth of the wetted perimeter of pipes with sediment deposits in their chute sections is established. To this end, the dependences derived by the authors previously for hy-draulic calculation of drainage networks with internal sediments were used. It is confirmed on a specific example that the limiting value of sediment thickness preventing the continuation of further operation for concrete pipes with a diameter of 400 mm equals 80 mm. The obtained diagram of the vertical ve-locity distribution of sewage flow can be used to determine the actual pipeline fill level corresponding to the actual sediment layer thickness in sewer pipes.

In this study, the current level and prospects of digitalisation and automation of key economic pro-cesses in public and corporate procurement were assessed, as well as their role in improving the effi-ciency of procurement results. The work involved a combination of general scientific methods, includ-ing statistical and comparative analysis, the study of expert prognoses, a systematic approach, the method of optimal decision-making and expert evaluations. A comprehensive analysis of the digitalisa-tion and automation of procurement in the Russian Federation was carried out considering the regula-tory legislation on procurement (in terms of regulatory requirements). An expert conformity-assessment of the current digitalisation level of procurement business processes with the actual de-mands of economic agents was carried out. The results showed that regulated procurement in the Russian Federation undergoes the initial stage of digital transformation. The electronisation and auto-mation of procurement business processes are highly irregular under the duality in the procurement legislation. In a number of areas, this results in higher transaction costs for economic agents. It was also revealed that inadequate regulatory practices in specific processes significantly slow down their digital transformation. In the IT sector of state procurement, it is necessary to expand the use of inno-vative technologies. The dependence of critical IT infrastructure on foreign software and equipment should be minimal.

The aim was to investigate the prospects and possibilities of using nanotechnologies and nanomateri-als in construction, particularly in concrete production. The research methodology involved a set of methods and principles of scientific cognition, as well as general and specific methods and techniques, such as comparative analysis, modelling, classification, grouping, generalization and forecasting. The authors propose a method of concrete production using a matter with a specified atomic structure. It was established that the consideration of atoms and microparticles can increase the efficiency of con-crete production. In addition, special attention is paid to a nanoparticle as the structural unit of nano-technology. Nanoparticles are capable of changing the colour of artificial coatings, increasing the wear resistance of materials and improving their resistance indicators. In innovative technologies, reinforced steel, composite reinforcement and nanocoatings are used. In addition, detailed information is provid-ed on structural composites having a ceramic, iron or polymer matrix. A particular emphasis is placed on the advantages of nanoconcrete. Nanoconcrete represents a whole group of materials that can im-part the desired characteristics to products and structures. Expanding the use of nanotechnology in construction implies the need for an interdisciplinary and multidimensional approach for further re-search and development, including such fields as civil engineering, materials science, physics and oth-er related disciplines.

The issues of system-activity formation and complex construction of the aporia in the discourse of transhumanism ideas in the context of developing and describing the metatheory of psychological de-sign of urban environment are considered. In this connection, the compositional aspects of creating a comfortable environment in the city centre of a Siberian settlement were specified and elaborated fol-lowing the interaction systems of architectural and urban planning complex with the spatial organisation of a designed fragment of urban environment and its colour and light composition. The form and con-tent, techniques, technologies and methods for arranging the unified urban style of buildings and ob-jects filling the trade environment were examined and described in the artistic concept of arranging the elements of psychological design in the unique environment of Irkutsk. The mechanism of artistic method in the context of the construction and development of general metatheory while formulating and solving problems of urban design is revealed, in particular, in their relation to the assimilation of discourse on the ideas of transhumanism in the functional-spatial organisation of the elements of art culture in the urban environment. This approach involves the methodological realisation of the correc-tion function in the process of optimising the artistic image of complex objects in the psychological de-sign of the urban environment. Developing the regulations of design activity to meet the requirements of humanisation of the urban environment allows the aporia in the discourse of transhumanism ideolo-gy to be defined and the ways of a promising metatheory of psychological perception of the urban en-vironment, as well as information systems that further enhance the role of visual information in the aes-thetic of urban environment, to be addressed.

Incremental costs associated with construction works during winter periods are considered in rela-tion to the new calculation method implemented by the Order of the Ministry of Construction, Hous-ing and Utilities of the Russian Federation of May 25, 2021, No 325/pr, instead of the previously used methods specified in the ГСН 81-05-02-2007 “Collection of estimation standards for addition-al costs during execution of construction and installation works in winter periods” and ГСНр 81-05-02-2001 “Collection of estimation standards for additional costs during execution of construction and repair works in winter periods”. The research was conducted using the methods of economic and statistical analysis, review of theoretical and practical materials, as well as the system approach. The conditions determining the impact of negative temperatures on construction and repair works are analyzed and classified. The costs associated with temporary heating of facilities completed within the heating period are analyzed. On the basis of the results obtained, directions for improv-ing calculations of incremental costs when executing construction and installation works in winter periods are proposed with the purpose of optimizing costs of construction objects.

Possible approaches to reducing the fire hazard in private housing construction are considered. The study was conducted using general scientific methods, including network analysis, numerical analysis and the methods of visualisation using Matlab graphic editor. The current state of housing construc-tion in the Russian Federation and, in particular, Baikal region, is analysed. It was established that, due to the implementation of national projects, the level of private housing construction has increased con-siderably in recent years. At the same time, the use of wooden structures, which are exposed to in-creased threat of fire hazards, is gaining in popularity. An analysis of fire hazard in Irkutsk Oblast re-vealed that one of the most probable causes of ignition is associated with the violation of rules for ar-rangement and operation of electricity-generating equipment. The most common cause of such viola-tions was proved to be the asymmetry of phase currents, which causes additional heat losses contrib-uting to the occurrence of fires. The effectiveness of balancing devices in reducing the consequences of asymmetric power consumption was confirmed on a specific example. The implementation of measures to balance the operating modes of internal electrical networks of residential buildings repre-sents one of the most effective ways to reduce fire risks in private residential buildings. Based on the obtained results, a set of recommendations is proposed for use by specialists of construction organi-zations, as well as employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations controlling the fire safety of in-dividual residential buildings.

The study aims to determine the prospects of integrated automation in the management of construction stages and scheduling on the basis of the 4D-modelling concept, which is applied in domestic and foreign practice of capital construction for visualizing the sequence of construction stages. Due to the use of conventional planning tools, the majority of developers fail to meet the established construction deadlines. At present, the construction industry is at the stage of transition from 2D documentation and step-by-step processes of forming a digital model to an integrated schedule based on the concept of 4D-modelling. Within the framework of transitioning to Industry 4.0, the introduction of 4D-modelling in the BIM model will revolutionize the construction industry by integrating these 3D models with additional planning dimensions and cost estimations. The application of 4D-modelling is shown to improve the efficiency of work processes, which were previously associated with a great risk and inefficiency of construction stages. Currently, the application of the 4D-visualization method is at its nascent stage due to a number of barriers and problems, including those related to the reassessment of implementation costs, a search for competent personnel, as well as a lack of integrated models. At the same time, the application of 4D models appears to be a necessary and inevitable transition to a new stage of digital maturity of the construction industry, which allows the subjects of the construction process to effectively visualize construction stages, accurately plan the required resources and optimize communications within each stage.

The population of the Baikal region (unofficial name of the Irkutsk region) amounts to 2.36 million peo-ple, mainly residing in the Angara River area. Therefore, 91% of all water intake facilities belong the surface shore, river or reservoir types. With the construction of a chain of hydroelectric power plants at the Angara River in 1961, Lake Baikal and the Irkutsk reservoir have become the only artificial reser-voir, whose water level depends on the natural inflow into the lake, as well as energy and water transport activities. As a result, the perennial water level in Lake Baikal and the Bratsk reservoir varies across a wide range, about 2 and 10 m, respectively. In this study, the effect of variations in the water level in Lake Baikal on the efficiency of all water intake facilities of the Angara River is addressed. The conducted calculations and field studies showed that an increase in the water level in water bodies leads to a decreased water quality, requiring its further purification. When the water level decreases, the performance of water intake facilities decreases, requiring replacement of the pumping equipment. An analysis of the surface water intake facilities in the populated areas of the Baikal region showed that the efficient operation of the existing structures is unachievable under significant variations in the wa-ter level in Lake Baikal and the Angara River. It is recommended to use underground water sources. Floating water intake or shore structures operating over the entire range of varying water levels in the water body may be also used.

This article addresses advanced methods of wastewater treatment, which presents an urgent global problem. The use of membranes or so-called membrane bioreactors (MBR) at treatment facilities comprises an efficient method of wastewater treatment. The characteristics of membrane designs along with their practical advantages and disadvantages are considered. Examples of using MBR at wastewater treatment plants in Germany, Italy and Sweden are examined. A recently developed MBR technology based on filtration through micro- or ultrafiltration membranes is gaining in popularity. In such technologies, the high quality of treated water is achieved due to the MBR design, which increases both the concentration of activated sludge in the bioreactor and its filtering capacity. Over 100 years of contemporary residential and industrial wastewater treatment, no other implemented technology has exhibited as many positive effects. Due to the wide range of available membranes and modules, suitable systems can be found for almost any type of water treatment application. In addition, these membranes are compact, which becomes an advantage when clearing areas for new construction or when the expansion of a wastewater treatment plant is limited.

This article reviews publications investigating accidents at buildings and civil engineering structures. According to the conducted analysis, such publications commonly describe the circum-stances of specific accidents, rather than identify their causes. Classifications of accident causes are often published without disclosing the information sources. No publications have been found on as-sessing the impact of the human factor, including design errors, rolled metal defects, poor-quality manufacturing or installation, as well as violations of the operational rules. In the majority of publica-tions, outdated methods are used for analysing and processing data on accidents. In order to improve the current situation, organizational and methodological measures are proposed. The importance of using the methods of systems analysis and content analysis for searching and processing information is substantiated. It is shown that the main conditions for accident prevention involve strict compliance with reliability requirements at the design, constructional, and operational stages, organization of the maintenance service of structures, their timely inspection, as well as preventive and overhaul repairs. In this regard, the accumulation of statistical data on damages and accidents, grouped according to a unified scientifically-based methodology, appears to be of great importance. It is proposed to create a unified form for data representation on accidents that should be placed on web portals in open access for the purpose of its continuous replenishment.

This article considers the problem of increasing the efficiency of construction companies by implementing new approaches to improving organizational structures and construction management methods, such as building information modelling (BIM) and lean construction (LC). A review of existing LC methods is carried out, describing such specific methodologies, as long-term planning, planning obligations, minimizing resource overruns, workflow reliability and project management. Strategies and supporting mechanisms for the implementation of efficient processes on construction sites for companies with the functions of general contractor are also considered. The application of lean construction, pull planning in particular, increases the efficiency of communication between the participants of the construction process. The concurrent use of LC and BIM methods allows construction costs to be reduced. The LC-based BIM technology can be applied in design, construction and project management throughout the entire life cycle of a construction project.