The paper presents a comparison of the most widespread hypotheses describing the principles of formation of the Pyramid of Cheops. A scientific guess based on a golden ratio is investigated in this paper. Herodotus's text about the fact that the lateral side of the Pyramid is equal to its height square, unambiguously proves the statement that the golden ratio is present in the Pyramid geometry. However, the existence of irrational golden ratio proportion raises doubts in relation to the level of development of mathematics in Ancient Egypt. The paper gives the different interpretation of Herodotus's text based on the use of the perfect square. Also, a new metrological interpretation of the Pyramid dimensions is suggested that gives the possibility of modifying its formation principles.

The paper presents the historical development of Tyumen necropolis beginning from the first cemeteries disappeared in time including those emerged later, closed for burying, however included in the city infrastructure and to modern cemeteries functioning today. The paper gives the analysis of the architectural and planning structure, functional zoning, deposition, and headstone configurations. A spatial change of the city necropolis is described with the course of time.

The article is devoted to the creative activity of German architects in Siberia. The most famous architects from German community are presented herein as well as their contribution to the development of architecture and urban planning in Siberia. The collected bibliographic and archival materials allow a consideration of some of the project design and building construction in Siberian cities. Such prominent architects as K.A. Thon, R.R. Marfeld, F.F. Gut, E.I. Ezet, Ernst von Shulman, N.I. Shenfeld are described in this paper that will be interesting to many of our European colleagues.

The paper is devoted to the most known residential mansion houses designed by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) during the different period of his creative activity. These buildings with their interiors reflect the most important principles of organic architecture implemented in theory and practice. The paper presents the review of projects in a chronological sequence: Prairie Style, Textile Block Houses, organic architecture, Usonian Houses. The most specific design techniques of visual correlation with the landscape are described, including correlation with relief, flora, and water sources. Wright improved the structures of foundations, walls, and roofs of residential houses. The paper describes the use of such natural materials as wood, stone, brick in different constructions and interior natural and artificial illumination.

Annunciation Cathedral in Votkinsk has always been the most important architectural dominant of the city. It was reconstructed in the 60s of the 20^th century, and in 2001 returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. However, the reconstruction of this Cathedral has not currently included the conservation procedures in relation to remained fragments of wall paintings presenting the artistic, scientific, and historical value. The paper presents the results of field studies of these paintings, their description, and similarities. Emphasized is the importance of conservation of the original historical evidences of the Cathedral. The main problems of reconstructing interiors of cathedrals are described, and suggestions are given on wall painting conservation with the following re-building of the Cathedral interior decoration.

The paper presents the analysis of feasibility study techniques currently used in Russia and abroad for investment projects the implementation of which is supported by different state and private institutions. In organizing the governmental support, it is expedient to use the following criteria: regional market needs for construction, raw material resources base, and indicators of economic, financial, and budgetary efficiency. The suggested technique is to be approved during the Innovative Construction Materials Project implementation on the territory of the Tomsk region.

The paper presents justification of experimental research technique for pulse interaction between the model of member and the soil using a specialized hardware-software complex equipped with a high-speed video camera. The flowchart of sequential choice and design of the model parameters, test bench, and equipment for high-speed shooting provide the required visualization parameters of soil pulse loading. Also, the rationale for and calculation of their parameters are presented in this paper. The description is given for the adjustment of test equipment and experiments using a high-speed digital camera. The integrated estimation of test experiment accuracy is presented herein.

The paper presents the problem of the safety factor because in terms of computer simulation this factor is an interesting thing: loads and parameters of material strength are given with 10-20 % accuracy, forces are computed with accuracy up to 0,01 %, while certain regulatory documents sometimes contain factors of safety coming to 50-100 %. Formerly, the safety factor was a prime number included in a regulatory document, however today there are complex systems of partial safety factors which not always give a possibility of estimating the real potential of reliability. This paper focuses on amendments and correction made in Russian and foreign design codes, safety factors provided therein, the exchange of experiences and ideas, adoption of methodologies, and, finally, different approaches to regulation goal achievement.

The paper presents the experimental methodology of joining cylindrical shells made of light formed sections in lightweight frameless structures. Two variants of counterplate position with a bolted connection are described, and joint structures with supporting plates are grounded, as well as opportunities of their application. The design model is presented for Quonset units with approximated structural properties to determine the stress and strain state of the structure. The rationale for two series of experiments is presented using counterplate full-scale models of joints. Quonset unit modeling is performed using sampling of its original fragments.

The paper is dealt with the study of deformations of precracked concrete and reinforced concrete structures such as slabs and beams, induced by short- and long-term loads. A study of preckracked structures allows creating new trends in concrete development. Preckracking modifies the structural behavior, namely: beam deflections decrease twice or higher, the period of the load resistance increases.

The value of Rockwell hardness of the metal layer obtained by a single measuring is considered in this paper as a random variable. A study of the random variable distribution is described including the technical condition of the metal surface. A series of Rockwell hardness tests is presented to estimate its main parameters. It is assumed that the hardness distribution refers to the lognormal distribution class. A comparison of results obtained from mechanical and optical and visual tests shows that the technical condition of metal products can be estimated using the Rockwell hardness test method.

The article considers the development of the information retrieval system based on GIS-technologies, that allows the efficient analysis of spatial and temporal changes of the geological environment and retrieval of all necessary information about hydrogeological conditions. The results can be used by agencies and services for the geological environment control and operation management, and the estimation of the probability, potential, and intensity of adverse effects of human activity, justification of managerial and engineering solutions to provide the ecologically-friendly environment, etc.

The paper presents the development and technology of glass-ceramic granulated material based on broken glass, clay and organic additives. The process of swelling the glass mass is studied, and the mixture composition and burning temperature influence on grain properties are determined in this paper. Such specifications as pour density, grain hardness, thermal conductivity, and water absorption by mass are determined for the suggested granulated material. The data comparison is given for the efficient use of the suggested glass-ceramic material for heat insulation of attic floors.

The paper presents the results of practical application of the ultrasonic low-frequency flaw detector ‘Polygon’ A104M. These results allow the estimation of technical condition of concrete supporting constructions. Goals and objectives of this estimation are given in this paper. Also, it includes tomograms of the internal structure of the structural scanned parts as well as the description of advantages and disadvantages of the pulse-echo technique used in this investigation.

The paper presents characteristics of thermo and X-ray luminescence of archaeological ceramics the spectral analysis of which is suggested on a new methodological basis. Mechanisms and the dynamics of structural typomorphism of mineral phases of archaeological ceramics are studied, and conclusions on the local mineral sources are drawn herein. The results show that ceramics was produced on the basis of kaolinite clays obtained in Lagernyi Garden, while coarse ceramics (stove tiles) from loams on the eastern slope of Voskresenskii Hill.

The paper describes the possibility of using gypsum-containing wastes of hydrofluoric acid production in manufacturing building materials. The environmental, technological and economic aspects of application of acid fluoride are studied; experimental findings are presented in relation to modification techniques for creating optimum micro- and macro-structures of materials. Research results show that the acid fluoride content has a considerable effect on properties of raw material. The main ways of utilization of acid fluoride raw material are presented with a view to produce walling and finishing materials.

The paper presents the study of cement compounds based on alumina production waste. Strength properties of inorganic cements and the structure of cementitious materials for pavements are investigated. The production test is described for inorganic cement based on nepheline slime, gypsum plaster, and dust from gas treatment systems to enhance strength properties and frost resistance of inorganic cements.

The paper presents a study of dynamic load testing composite reinforced concrete braced girder. The results demonstrate its performance and the stress and strain state during the dynamic property change. For the first time, such dynamic properties as attenuation and damping coefficients, eigen frequency and amplitude have been obtained for full-size braced girders that describe all stages of the behavior of the composite reinforced concrete braced girder of the bridge span. The laws of frequency properties change have been established for the braced girder operating without a roadway slab as well as with the reinforced concrete roadway slab on a metal pallet.