Purpose. To solve the problem of the allocation of contact vertical normal tensions along the sole of a rigid round stamp, located in an elastic isotropic half-space at a certain depth h  0. To compare the obtained solution with the well-known classical result for h = 0, to check the obtained results for adequacy. Methodology. Based on the analysis of the decision on the stress-strain state of the base, inside which there is a vertical arbitrary load distributed over the area of the circle, the necessary formulas are obtained to solve the problem. An algorithm for constructing an approximate solution has been developed, the essence of which is to use a combination of the boundary element method and the iteration process by S.N.Klepikov. For a number of depths, approximate solutions of the considered problem are obtained. Findings. The proposed algorithm for the approximate solution of the problem of indenting a round rigid stamp into the upper boundary of an elastic isotropic half-space has good agreement with the exact solution and can be used to solve contact problems. The outlines of the contact stress diagrams depend on the depth at which they are determined – the greater the depth, the flatter the outlines of the diagrams are, while starting from a certain depth, the diagrams of contact stresses practically coincide. The greater the depth is at which the stamp is located, the more force must be applied to obtain equal displacements of the stamp. Originality. The obtained research results significantly expand the possibilities of solving various problems of soil mechanics and foundation engineering, make it possible to obtain absolutely new results. In particular, a clear dependence of the contact stresses along the sole of a rigid round stamp on the depth at which it is located was identified. In addition, the presented data allow us to designate an absolutely new direction in the calculation of the foundations of ground anchors, namely, the calculation of their deformations. Practical value. For engineering practice, it is important that the greater the value of Poisson’s ratio of the base is, the greater the contact stresses are, other things being equal.

Purpose. The paper analyzes the reasons resulting in destruction of multielement metal structures. Attention is paid to the impact of deformation types on the corrosion of components of such structures as well as to their potential safe operation. Influence of local corrosion in the joints of rod structure members of rod on the terms of its bearing capacity exhaust has been studied. Methodology. To solve the life problem, a 16-rod flat frame has been considered as a simulation structure with design parameters, material characteristics, geometric outline, boundary conditions, and loading conditions. Results. A frame life problem has been considered taking into consideration local corrosion in the joints of rods. The problem involves two calculation schemes with common formulation but having proper peculiarities. Its common is in the availability of inverse association within the calculation models. The difference is as follows. If the number of parameters describing a corrosion process within the frame components is finite during the simulation process in the rod section, where it is fixed, it can be considered as a fragment of flatly stressed plate (FSP) where corrosion velocity depends upon stresses. Since stress-strain state is nonuniform in terms of its area, the number of such parameters tends to infinity. It is the peculiarity defining difference of the research from the majority of the known studies. Scientific novelty. Certain reasons of origination of typical defects and damages of rod metal structures have been considered inclusive of simulation of processes of damage formation as well as defect location. The tendency potential is to expand opportunities while forecasting the structure life with regard to its operational conditions. Practical value. Local corrosion neglecting in the rod joints gives rise to the substantial overestimation of analytical life value. In such a way, structural destruction does not result from bearing capacity exhaust of its component. It results from the broken ties between its separate components despite the fact that a reserve of their bearing capacity is still sufficient.