Introduction. Nowadays there is sufficient number of the working bodies’ parameters, which allow performing technological operations in different conditions with minimal labor and energy resources. It is necessary to produce significant excavation during roads’ construction. Therefore, to perform such technological procedure excavation and road machinery are used. The motor grader is an earth-moving machine and is necessary for surface profiling, moving and construction materials’ level.

The motor grader efficiency is determined by the performance criterion. World producers of earthmoving and road machinery associate the growth of quality and speed of work with the improvement of the executive working bodies. Moreover, new design variants of dumps are being developed, including design variants for motor graders. Such solution would allow to reduce the necessary number of passages along the construction site and to shorten the time for mounting the working body. The article presents the variant of the motor grader working equipment improving by installing the side working dump.

Materials and methods. The calculated dependences of the main parameters of the motor grader are obtained, such as the coupling weight, the nominal traction force, the resistances arising in the operating mode when cutting and moving the ground, and the total engine power for the operating mode at 4 km per hour speed. Strength characteristics of the side working equipment of the motor grader are investigated. The analysis is carried out by using the Solid Software.

Results. The results of the theoretical studies are presented graphically and reflected the stresses, displacements and deformations in proposed lateral working equipment of the motor grader. Using the Solid Works software product it is possible to determine the safety margin of the proposed design. The conducted research allows confirming the working capacity of the proposed technical solution.

Discussion and conclusion. The proposed technical solution allows increasing the productivity of the machine while performing the planning works, while maintaining the specified accuracy of their implementation. In addition, such design allows profiling not only the horizontal surface, but also the embankment construction when the side blade is located at an angle of up to 20 degrees.

Introduction. The authors suggest the optimal tuning method foran automatic control system of the heavy motor grader blade. The demonstrated system regulates the value of digging force. Moreover, the setpoint optimization criterion is the maximum of production rate.

Materials and methods. The optimal setpoint is generating to the signal estimations, specifically to the measured digging force and the wheels slip ratio during the previous stroke of the motor grader.

There searchincludes:

• development of the blade control system functional diagram including the setpoint former;
• meaningful estimation of the slip ratio signal for control purposes;
• development of the setpoint forming algorithm for a microprocessor control unit;
• program realization of the motor grader workflow model and simulation;
• development of the algorithm to compose the lookup table containing optimal setpoint values and based on simulation results;
• dependence of optimal setpoint on the incoming signal estimations.

Results. The lookup table of optimal setpoint values is obtained, the estimations of digging force and wheels slip ratio are presented. In addition, the authors suggest the control system structure with the optimal setpoint former and also develop the former operation algorithm.

Discussion and conclusion. The optimal setpoint values are theoretically validated for the motor grader control system. The tuning method for an automatic control system of the heavy motor grader blade has the following characteristics as:

• the optimal control criterion as the production rate;
• process dynamics and stochastics;
• the excessive slippage time ratio.

Introduction. The mathematical self-adjustment model of the safety device for bridge cranes, which is developed by the authors as the limiter of loading capacity of broad application (OGSh) for the purpose of time reduction for device setup and of other material and labor inputs for requirements implementation of the Federal Norms and Rules (FNP) on protection of bridge cranes against overload, is described in the article.

Materials and methods. Mass and dynamic characteristics of the crane (the specified mass of the drive, the inertia moment, rigidity of a pendant, response time and etc.); various stages of the loads lifting, on which absolutely various dynamic loadings impact and which are described by the systems of the differential equations with various entry and regional conditions, were proved in the research. Numerical methods for the solution of the differential equations systems with the usage of experimental data were also applied.

Results. Assumptions and regional conditions in settlement model of self-adjustment of the OGSh device for practical application in development and designing of this type of devices are used and proved. Moreover, the settlement algorithm is realized and the OGSh device is programmed according to such settlement algorithm. Natural experiments and tests with the OGSh device on the developed self-adjustment algorithm are made.

Thus, the results of experiments have confirmed the possibility of the algorithm application of selfadjustment model as the limiter of the OGSh loading capacity for obtaining work parameters and implementation of FNP requirements, which are necessary for such crane during the operation.

Discussion and conclusion. The algorithm of the self-adjustment model of the safety device (SD) as the limiter of loading capacity provides the implementation of the FNP requirements, the reduction of time of the device setup, bigger convenience and simplicity of SD control on the OGSh; decrease in dynamic loads of the drive. Therefore, such algorithm would be recommended for application in all new SD of the OGSh made by ITTs KROS for bridge cranes.

Introduction. The purpose of the research is the determination of parameters and characteristics of the laser measuring systems providing decrease in errors of measurement of geometrical parameters of vehicles.

The goal is achieved at the expense of the solution of the relevant task connected with the parameters research of the laser equipment and definition of requirements to accuracy (a passport error) of the laser range finders applied at geometrical parameters control of vehicles.

Methods and materials. The algorithm of calculation of spatial coordinates of the car points and errors of their definition has been created and used for the research. In this case calculations of spatial provision of the point and its error have been reduced to definition and to the solution of the equations system of the second order in the MathCAD program environment. As the controlled and measured parameters at coordinates’ calculation of distances from laser measuring instruments to the studied car points were accepted.

Results. As aresult, the mean square error of measurement of distance between control points significantly decreases at reduction of the passport error of laser range finders. At the size of the passport error of laser range finders equals 0,8 mm, the mean square error of measurement of distance between control points (from 0 to 3000 mm) equals 2,2-2,9 mm, and an error of definition of the control point is 1,5-1,9 mm.

Discussion and conclusion. The conducted research demonstrates that it is necessary to compare the reached accuracy parameters at the set configuration of laser measuring system with the shown standard restrictions for an error of measurements. Therefore, further improvement of characteristics of accuracy of measuring systems is possible due to progressive decrease in an error of laser range finders as a result of their technical improvement.

Introduction. This article deals with the problem of moisture condensation inside the cabin of the technological electric transport vehicle. The hypothesis of using the forced air ventilation in the cabin is substantiated, by which such problem could be solved.

Materials and methods. The article describes the application of the ANSYS Fluent Software Package to assess the effect of the location and shape of the ducts on the ventilation process inside the cabin. Accordingly, the key stages of air flow modeling in this program are considered.

Results. The main content of the research is to analyze the modeling airflow process in the cabins with a different configuration of inlet and outlet nozzles. Therefore, basing on the analysis of the obtained airflow velocity contours, the conclusion is made about the rational arrangement of the inlet and outlet channels.

Discussion and conclusions. The conclusion is made about the necessity of the further research that would refer to creating a three-dimensional model of the cabin. The results of the research as well as resolutions are taken into account.

Introduction. The process of innovative development of the road industry for the period 2012-2017 is analyzed in the article. It is proclaimed that for the development and arrangement of Russian roads during 6 years would be invested more than 11 trillion rubles in comparison with 6.4 trillion in 2012-2017. Thus, the significant increase in funding would lead to the fundamental change in the approaches to the planning of the innovation process.

Materials and methods. The main shortcomings in the development of the innovative strategies in industry were demonstrated. The problem that the strategies have no interrelations between the goal, resources and time is formulated. All production systems operate in different conditions and are characterized by different levels of the resources consumption and, consequently, by different efficiency. At the same time, it is very difficult to formulate a goal in the absence of sufficiently accurate predicted performance parameters of production systems.

Results. As a result, it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of the funds allocated for innovative development.

Discussion and conclusion. Digitalization in the form of the production function is an effective management tool to improve the validity and effectiveness of the innovative development strategy in the road sector, to carry out current calculations monitoring and evaluation of the desired parameters accuracy.

Introduction. Increased technical requirements for roads, associated with increasing axial loads, the intensity and speed of vehicles, with the actual technical condition of the roads number, engineering structures, including culverts, activation of federal and regional services to bring the parameters of road surfaces to the world standards, all listed parameters pose the task in developing the mathematical modeling methods of physical-mechanical characteristics of soils in the culverts area. Therefore, such methods allow to reduce economic costs and time for carrying out experimental research of deformations based on the monitoring results of the soil roadbed and pavement.

Materials and methods. The order of technical condition of the culverts’ research, pavement and physico-mechanical characteristics of soils, methods of experimental research were discussed in the article. Moreover, the approach to carrying out experimental works on penetration of pits in places of deformations and nearby was approved. Additionally, the evaluation of the soils condition on the roadbed and the annular space of the culverts was made.

Results. The schemes of deformation and elasticity, density, humidity, consistency, plasticity number, fluidity, and physical properties of the soil are determined. The engineering-geological elements, mean values of density, humidity and compaction factor are established according to the research aim. Consequently, the values of the strain modules and the modulus of elasticity are calculated on the basis of compression and stamp tests.

Discussion and conclusions. The dependence of the pavement on the physic-mechanical characteristics of the soil of the roadbed is proved. The correlation-regression analysis of soil characteristics is performed on the basis of experimental research. As a result, the regression equations are obtained in the annular space of culverts and at the distance of ± 30 m nearby. As could be proved, there are irregularities in the coverage of road clothes caused by drawdown in barrier locations. The physic-mechanical characteristics of the ground and strength characteristics are increased by culverts’ transfer on distance. The application of physic-mechanical characteristics of the soil together with experimental studies makes it possible to reduce labor costs, time and cost of testing.

Introduction. The actuality of the research is emphasized in the Strategy of proclaiming the desire for zero mortality on the country’s roads. Increasing the functional durability (the service life period) of horizontal road markings is an effective and cheap way to organize the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, which could reduce the number of accidents by 15-30%.

Methods. The detailed factor analysis, influenced on the functional durability of the horizontal road markings and on the durability forecasting methods, is made by the authors.

Results. The authors have established the main factors determining the functional durability of the horizontal road marking. They are divided into five groups: weather-climatic; mechanical; properties of the marking material; technological; properties of the road pavement. Moreover, the article presents a critical analysis of the existing methods of forecasting the functional durability of horizontal marking. In foreign publications on the issue under consideration there is no work on the prediction of the functional durability of horizontal marking by creating complex mathematical models. Most foreign and Russian models are based on empirical dependences. However, these methods and models do not take into account a number of important factors, such as the degree of roughness and abrasion of stone materials, their embedding in asphalt concrete coating, etc.

Disscussion and conclusion. The authors came to the conclusion that attempts to create a single reliable mathematical model that takes into account more than 40 factors couldn’t be realistic. Therefore, there is a task of developing a number of models that allow to have greater extent that take into account the properties of the road surface, the location and variety of marking lines and predict the functional durability of horizontal road markings for different types of road pavement more reliably.

Introduction. The important national economic task is to provide the modern construction industry with high-strength and effective materials made using new technological approaches and artificiallyproduced materials. These materials differ from the usual one by high content of cement stone, smaller grain size, multicomponent composition, increased specific surface of the filler. Therefore, the research of such problem would be always relevant according to the constant growth of requirements for the building materials and structures quality.

Materials and methods. Experimental studies were conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Construction Materials, Products and Structures. The literary sources’ analysis was made in the scientific and technical library of the Belgorod State Technological University named after V. G. Shukhov. At the same time, standard test procedures and the provisions of the operating instructions for individual devices and equipment were used in the research.

Discussion and conclusions. As a result, the models of structure formation in high-strength hardening compositions, in which the principle of structure optimization consisting in creation of the high degree ordering of its constituent elements and tumors, as well as in increasing the adhesion of cement stone particles, are implemented. In addition, the usage of artificially-produced materials and organic additives produces the possibility of reducing the consumption of raw materials and consumption of energy and resources. The mechanism and principles of structure formation management are intensively studied and would be explained later on the basis of synergetic concepts.

Introduction. Diffusion of aggressive components of the external environment deeper into the concrete intensively flows through the contact surfaces and between the filler and the cement matrix. Therefore, it is better to apply active fillers that interact with the cement matrix on certain mechanisms for reducing the conductivity of the contact surfaces, which leads to the products durability.

Materials and methods. Methods of mechanical testing, x-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy were used for comparative studies of concrete corrosion resistance with the active filler (urtite) and with the inactive one (quartz sand).

Results. This research indicates that the urtite filler significantly increases the strength and corrosion resistance of concrete in comparison with the traditional filler with quartz sand. The investigation of the contact zone of cement stone-aggregate with the usage of REM demonstrates that there are no corrosion products in the contact zone of urtite with the cement matrix, while the contact zone of quartz sand and its surface acquires corrosion products represented mainly by gypsum.

Discussion and conclusion. The increased corrosion resistance of the fine aggregate concrete through the application of active filler on the basis of urtite provides lower conductivity of the contact surfaces between cement matrix and filler due to the chemical affinity of the rock-forming minerals of nepheline to calcium hydroxide. The additional factor that enhances the self-inhibition of acid corrosion is the formation of the gel-like layer of silica on the surface of nepheline, which inhibits the advancement of hydroxide ions due to the flow of electro-surface processes. Thus, the nepilnameciais fillers are appropriate to apply in concrete, which is used in the conditions of the chemical aggression of high intensity.

Introduction. Evaluation of the influence level of the pre-organized cracks in tensile zone of the reinforced concrete beams on their crack resistance, deformability under long-term loading is investigated in the article.

Materials and methods. Concrete for specimen was produced in laboratory and factory on portland cement of the 500-grade at W/C=0,71; concrete composition 1:1,9:4 (by weight); strength of cube at 28th days – 13,85 MPa; strength of prism with dimensions 10/10*40 cm – 11,48 MPa; span calculation – 78 cm; steel rebar grade – A400 with diameter of 10 mm. Organized crack was formed by installing plate with thickness of 0,5 mm and height of 30 mm on the rebar in the zone of maximum moments.

Results. The experiments confirmed the hypothesis about the beams rigidity with pre-organized cracks in comparison with stochastic cracks under the influence of long-term loading. As a result, the beams with pre-organized cracks provide the smaller deflection after long-term period than the beams without organized cracks. Thus, the proposed method of the deflections calculation of the reinforced concrete beams with pre-organized cracks under the long-term loading helps to reduce deflection to 33%.

Discussion and conclusion. The findings of this study suggest that the presence of pre-organized cracks reduces the beams deflections in comparison with the specimens of section, and such method actually regulates the stress-strain state of reinforced concrete structures and leads to the smooth deformation at all stages under the influence of long-term loading.

Introduction. The article is devoted to the issue of ensuring the stability of the electric power complex in modern Russia.

Materials and methods. The conducted research devoted to the capacities condition of the electro power complex shows that the equipment and the basic means on power objects have undergone to moral and physical deterioration. In addition to the state of the main production capacities, the stability of electric power enterprises is influenced by other internal and external factors, among which are organizational and managerial, environmental, production structure and other determinants as well as climatic, geographical, socio-economic conditions, etc. Therefore, the modern electric power complex in the nearest future would not be able to ensure the reliability of electricity supply, which requires the formation of the model to ensure the electricity complex stability.

Results. The sustainability could be formed by two components, such as sustainable functioning and sustainable development, which include three fundamental factors: the exports share, the provision of financial resources and the fixed assets state.

Discussion and conclusion. The authors concluded that the electric power complex sustainability should be carried out both by increasing the amount of generated electricity, that would be supplied to the world energy markets, and by reducing production costs by updating fixed assets and using innovative technologies.