. Scientific hypothesis on moistening shrinkage mechanism for cement stone and concrete has been assumed as a basis for the present paper. Physical ideas on a mechanism for cracks volume increment in a concrete model presented as two-level structure have been accepted as a theoretical basis for a calculation method of crack resistance during capillary shrinkage. These ideas are the following: a matrix of hardening cement stone with inclusions and emptiness of various forms (cracks) as result of influences that change an intense deformed state in a point and a volume. The following assumptions have been accepted while making a theoretical justification for a calculation method of shrinkable concrete crack resistance. Following this methodology approaches of fracture mechanics according to a generalized criterion have been applied in the paper. Concrete is considered as an elastic quasi-homogeneous two-component medium which consists of the following parts:

a) constructive part: a matrix – a cement stone with structural elements of crushed stone, sand; b) destructive part: emptiness – capillaries cracks and pores (cavities with initial cracks in walls). Emptiness in a matrix and contact zones are presented by a coordinated five-level system in the form and sizes which are multiple to a diameter due to impacts while reaching critical sizes. These critical sizes make it possible to pass from one level into another one according to the following scheme: size stabilization – accumulation delocalization – critical concentration in single volume – transition to the following level. Process of cracks formation and their growth are considered as a result of non-power influences on the basis of crack theory principles from a condition that fields of deformation and tension creating schemes of a normal separation and shift occur in the top part of each crack at its level in the initial concrete volume. Ксij(t) parameter as algebraic amount of critical values Kij in the whole system of all levels of cracks filling canonical volume up to critical concentration has been accepted as a generalized constant of property for concrete crack resistance in time, its resistance to formation, accumulation in volumes of micro-cracks and formation of trunk cracks with critical values. External temperature, moistening long influences create fields of tension in the top parts of cracks. Concrete destruction processes due to cracks are considered as generalized deformedintensed state in some initial volume having physical features which are inherent to a composite with strength and deformative properties. It is possible to realize analytical calculations for assessment of tension and crack resistance of concrete at early age on the basis of a generalized criterion in terms of stress intensity factor due to modern experimental data on capillary pressure value (70 kPa in 180 min after concrete placing). The developed algorithm of calculation allows to consider factors influencing on capillary pressure: type of cement, modifiers and mineral additives, concrete curing conditions.

Reliable forecasting of longevity for solid construction materials, especially for concrete and reinforced concrete is considered as a rather complicated scientific and technical problem which is often described in a great number of research papers. However this problem does not have a reliable analytical solution with the required statistical realization level. The paper contains a brief analysis of modern views pertaining to breakage processes in solid construction materials including concrete and reinforced concrete due to action of force (in particular, on the basis of temporary strength dependence with a static load) and non-force factors comprising as well carbonization and decrease of hydrogen index. Peculiar features concerning strength decrease of construction materials in time due to action of creep processes (plasticity) have been described in the paper. The paper presents two variants for assessment of possible longevity: without initial damage and with available initial defects. According to the first variant distribution of the test specimens of material for longevity corresponds to a lognormal law and in the second variant the distribution follows more complicated law. The paper provides levels of carbonization indices and a hydrogen index when corrosion of steel reinforcement does not occur. The following necessity has been established that is recommended to take into account not only characteristics and specific features in structure of solid construction materials in their strength theory but also statistical regularities because the breakage process represents in itself an integral phenomenon and due to this the final result can change according to random values of available structural defects, test errors and other factors. In this connection probability of their possible combinations has been described with the help of statistical laws. It has been shown that it is desirable to pay due consideration to maximum number of similar factors in order to increase a reliability of probabilistic-statistical methods for calculation of longevity.

. Intensive development of the Starobinsk deposit is related with formation of salt tailings piles which are annually increasing and they have already reached the height of 120–150 m, their volume constitutes 1.5 billion tons and their area is equal up to »3000 ha. Such situation leads to activation of geodynamic processes, salting of soil and underground water. For this reason study of salt tailings piles with the help of up-to-date geodetic technologies is considered as the most efficient methods for environmental protection. Geodetic innovation technologies for study of salt tailings relief include the following: creation of plan and height control along relief perimeter and route of equipment motion within salt tailings pile with the help GPS-system; experimental study of salt tailings relief while using an electronic tacheometer with reflectorless regime; import of total station coordinates in software package LISCAD Plus where simulation of salt tailings is formed; study of digital salt tailings simulation and its interpretation. More accurate study of salt tailings is carried out by laser scanning while using scanner Leica ScanStation C10. Operations from several stations are executed with the purpose to obtain data on salt tailings and these operations provide their complete survey. Results of the survey are loaded into a computer; the data is compiled together and so a digital simulation of salt tailings is obtained. An advantage of laser scanning is complete automation and due to this accuracy is increased significantly and time required for the survey is reduced. Such approach makes it possible to increase efficiency in various measures directed on improvement of environmental conditions.

Water flow over soil dam crest causes its fast failure. Break-through wave being formed in dam ebb side leads to drastic economic and social consequences. Accuracy in calculation of the break-through wave parameters depends on the accuracy of discharge hydrograph construction in the dam erosion site. A calculation scheme for soil dam wash-away due to overflow has been devised on the basis of the experimental data. Wash-away process is divided in two stages in accordance with the devised scheme. Wash-away of the downstream toe occurs at the first stage. The crest level from the side of upstream edge remains constant. Intensive crest lowering is observed at the second stage. The eroding body is considered to have a shape of a round-crested weir. In such a case the washed-away massif has a form of nappe-shaped crest profile. A mathematical model has been developed on the basis of this scheme and according to this model equations of deformation and flow motion are considered simultaneously. The model is consistent in a good way with physical erosion pattern during fast flood rise and when the erosion width is known; the model is recommended for calculation of breaching sections in reserve water outlets. In general case and when the width is unlimited (three-dimensional problem) calculation formulae have one more unknown variable that is flow width within the erosion site. The paper describes peculiar features in physiccal erosion pattern for such case and a number of the known formulae for determination of the erosion have been given and analyzed in the paper. The equation which fits in a good way in the proposed mathematical model has been chosen, and it provides the possibility to adapt the model for three-dimensional erosion conditions. Calculations made in accordance with the proposed methodology make it possible to construct discharge hydrograph in the dam erosion site.

The paper presents results of investigations on the dispersion (grinding) process in a ball mill and it also shows an effect of dispersed granitic rock (granite screenings of RUPP “Granit”, Brest region) used as a mineral additive on cement properties, hardening kinetics and cement stone strength, morphology of cement hydration products in the presence of the granitic rock. Complex studies including data of X-ray phase and derivatographic analyses have revealed that granitic rock material does not change morphology of new formations these are reaction products obtained due to reaction of binder clinker portion with water. They are identical to those that are formed due to reactions of a no-dosage (clean-bite) binder with it. At the same time it has been established that when 10–20 % of granite screening grinded up to S_ud ~ 3000 cm²/g (0.3 m²/g) have been added to cement strength of cement stone is increased by 20–25 %, and the amount of chemically bound water in clinker component of the binder is increased by 10–15 %. The paper has substantiated a hypothesis of the “crystallization centers” effect which is revealed by fractions of grinded screening £0.3 μm (£3000 Å). The fractions constitute an amount of ~15 % of the screening mass. This hypothesis has been proved by the above-mentioned data on the increase in cement stone strength and amount of chemically bound water in their presence when samples are hardened in normal-humid conditions, in water and after steaming. There is also an obvious increase in strength of cement stone on a binder with this additive (in 2–2.5 times in 1–3 days of hardening) under conditions of “inhibition” in cement hydration reactions due to introduction of a chemical additive that is lignosulphonate technical additive in the cement paste with enhanced dosage (0.3 % of the cement mass).

Energy saving policy conducted all over the world and in Belarus, particularly, leads to revision of technical standard and legal acts on thermal protection of buildings. Gradual increase of resistance to heat transfer of enclosing structures reduces transmission heat losses however expenses on infiltration air heating remain unchangeable. Due to this their portion in overall heat balance of residential buildings is gradually increasing: up to thermal rehabilitation of a building the portion constitutes 30 %, after this process the portion is equal to 53 %. In order to find methods for reduction of heat losses the paper considers an origin of the current standard for inlet air which is equal to 3 m³/h per 1 m² of residential area. It has been shown that the given value has been determined on the assumption of air exchange which is required for assimilation of carbon dioxide and residential area standard per one person. The required air exchange can be reduced up to 1.5 m³/(h×m²) due to improvement of population living conditions and increase in provision of residential area. Calculations have also shown that the given reduction makes it possible to enhance energy efficiency class of a building and decrease portion of heat losses on heating inlet air in overall heat balance. The paper has also revealed that rational light location on both sides permits to reduce a specific index of heat energy consumption for heating and ventilation of a residential building. Determination of outlet air consumption for kitchens has been considered simultaneously with determination of inlet air consumption. It has been ascertained that in order to support combustion process and removal of combustion products consumption of outlet air must constitute 10–20 m³/h according to type of gas stove. Due to the fact that windows can not support the proposed and existing air exchanges they must be completed with plenum valves.

The paper substantiates the necessity to study a transport infrastructure in the context of its impact on socioeconomic indicators pertaining to the development of a certain region. The importance of this study is confirmed by the goals and objectives of the transport system development of the Republic of Belarus, which are outlined in the National Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development for the period until 2030, and they are considered as well as priority areas for the development of Minsk region, presented in the Sustainable Development Strategy of Minsk Region for 2016–2025. The influence of eight indicators for transport infrastructure development of Minsk region on four key socio-economic indicators of the region development such as gross regional product, investment in fixed assets, revenues of consolidated budgets, average wage level has been investigated in the paper. A multiple regression analysis has been applied for assessing a relationship between dependent and independent variables. A step selection method has been used as a method of multiple regression analysis. All calculations have been carried out in the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 program. As a result of the study correlation indicators have been established between dependent and independent variables, relationships between variables and dependencies have been determined in the paper. The reliability of the obtained results have been verified with the help of the Fisher and Student's criteria. The obtained results have made it possible to identify key indicators for a transport infrastructure of Minsk region which have the greatest impact on socio-economic development of this region and can be used to analyze an investment attractiveness of Minsk region.

Approaches based on such quality management principles as “consumer orientation” and “decision making on the basis of factual data” are of particular importance for the development of Russian automotive industry under current conditions. In order to solve key problems concerning quality and product competitiveness it is necessary to take efficient and substantiated management decisions which are based on a detailed analysis of the results in respect of cars warranty period. Such technology contributes to improvement of quality management processes, creation of opportunities for enhancement of customer satisfaction and sustainable development of carmakers. The paper is updating a problem of development and realization of a new approach to define quality objectives for automotive corporations. Historical analysis has been made in respectof changes in cars quality indicators for one of the leading Russian automakers. The paper presents conventional methodology which is used at enterprises to define quality objectives for new cars being under warranty period. A new approach for determination of target indicators for product quality in automotive industry has been proposed on basis of the analysis of the best practice in organizing process to monitor quality of cars in operation. The approach takes into account a number of indicators of key importance in the formation of product competitiveness of automotive corporations. A common platform has been implemented for development and monitoring of quality objectives for cars in operation. The developed platform meets current and prospwctive tendencies. Application of the platform and its elements in the carmakers practice provides opportunities for harmonious improvement of the quality management system and it is aimed at improvement of product competitiveness.

The paper proposes a methodological approach to selection of rational directions for modernization of highway network while taking into account an increasing requirements of the national economy in a modern transport infrastructure being formed under conditions of the development of national transport and logistics system. The initial data required for variant development of design solutions contain information on existing transport and operational characteristics of the road network, intraand inter regional transport and economic relations, formed logistics supply chains, volume and structure of transportation and possible development stages for certain sections of highways. In this case initial data have a certain degree of uncertainty that requires to take design decisions with due consideration of the possibility to change information in a certain interval. The proposed options to use economic criteria make it possible to assess efficiency of logistics systems and their participants carry out operations pertaining to supply and handling of products and cargoes on specific sections of a road network and these measures are proceeding from common goals based not only on national or regional level, but also on the global level in the context of strategic planning. Study objectives play a significant role in selection of a calculation method, as well as its structure, a degree of its aggregation. Construction of an optimal scheme for modernization of a highway network presupposes to determine such totality of design solutions for construction, reconstruction and repair of motor roads with year-wise distribution for calculation period and certain network sections and such distribution of their freight flows when an amount of the reduced costs for transportation of the entire volume of products and modernization of motor roads would be minimal in accordance with transportation rates.

Conducting a systematic analysis of indicators for socio-economic security it is necessary to point out that fundamental groups of characteristics pertaining to socio-economic security include the following indicators: social standard and quality of living, degree of socio-economic system security, level of national financial independence, situation with management system and provision of socio-economic security. All the mentioned and some other indicators have something in common while ensuring socio-economic security and, for this reason, it is important to keep their balance and coherence. Evaluation of socio-economic security for a macro-system can be implemented among other tasks while using matrix method. According to this method it is possible to evaluate a possibility of threat appearance due to changes in a specific indicator, level of impact on national security, duration and time rate of changes in unwanted manifestations. The matrix makes it possible to classify those dangers when there is a possibility of an unsafe situation occurrence to such extent that it is required to undertake urgent measures to improve the situation and take special actions. The proposed method demonstrates visible results and it is considered as a statistical method of analysis. The given method presents rather good results while making smooth changes in evolutionary characteristics of the system. Monitoring horizon of these models is 1–2 years. In this context it is necessary to take into account that the proposed method is hardly suitable in the case when there are prompt changes in characteristics from one group of indicators to the other one. This is due to the fact that statistics of past periods has been applied and it characterized the given system which was under completely different circumstances at that moment. If this is the case then there is a discrepancy in creation of methods at all levels of socio-economic systems and these methods adequately take into account dynamics of changes in the system.

The paper is devoted to a detailed and comprehensive analysis of such economic category as competitiveness. Its beginning is focused on plurality of interpretations for a “competitiveness” term depending on goals and objectives, and it also provides a description of such economic category as “competitive advantage”. In addition the paper describes the most widespread approaches to competitiveness based on the opinion of reputable scientists and researchers (J. Faberberg, M. Francis, M. Best, A. Figuera) and it gives a definition of competitiveness at the micro-, meso- and macro levels. Detailed description of competitive relation levels, relationship and interaction between subjects (participants) of competitive relations depending on the competition level (national, international) has been given in the paper. Taking into account the approaches developed by prestigious foreign and national scientists, the author has prepared his own classification of methodological approaches to a definition of competitiveness on the basis of factors that ensure its growth and goals which it is striving for (its qualitative characteristics). The given classification includes seven groups of theories: production theories (theories of production efficiency), institutional theories, theories of technological (innovative) development (improvement), market (marketing) theories, theories of national (social) welfare, management theories and mixed theories. In addition, some indicators have been pinpointed and these indicators make it possible to analyze competitiveness (consumer price index, growth rate of inflation, nominal exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble, GDP growth rate, GDP structure (share of national economy sectors), monetization (ratio M2/GDP), availability of financial (credit) resources: dynamics of refinancing rate, credit rates (collateral, intraday, overnight credit, rates on REPO operations), producer price index (growth rate of prices for raw materials, real wages), level of tax burden for enterprises of industry and business, availability of tax incentives for innovative business (presence of an innovative component in business)) and they are proposed to be added for the forms of statistical reports, in particular a report on production of industrial products (works, services), a report on prices, a report on current costs for environmental protection, a report on implementation of research and development, a report on labor.