Search results for "Construction"
showing 10 items of 2670 documents
Some reflections on semantic–pragmatic cycles
2020
Abstract This paper explores novel ways to consider semantic–pragmatic cycles using a dual strategy: an inwards strategy, whereby the distinctive traits of a pragmatic cycle are established, and an outwards strategy, whereby the categories that delimit semantic–pragmatic cycles are described. The result of this exploration is the distinction between “pragmatic cycle”, “replication”, “concomitance” and “paradigmatic increase” as four different yet related processes. In addition, this study integrates Construction Grammar into the description of each process and shows that the study of semantic–pragmatic cycles can benefit from a constructional approach, adopting Traugott and Trousdale’s (201…
If you can defend your own point of view, you're good : Norms of voice construction in student writing on an international Master's programme
2019
Abstract This ethnographically oriented study followed the writing experiences of four students on an international masters programme in Finland. Gathering a range of data, the study set out to examine what counts as good writing on a programme with a very diverse student body in which English is used as a lingua franca. Both teachers and students emphasised the importance of arguing one's ‘own point of view’ in academic writing, and teachers often formed impressions of students on the basis of their texts, drawing attention particularly to their use of metadiscourse markers (e.g., self-mentions, attitude markers and hedges). The present article therefore combines a quantitative analysis of…
Differences and similaritites between corporate governance principles in Islamic banks and Conventional banks
2017
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present the some differences and similarities between corporate governance principles in Islamic banks and conventional banks by paradigmatic diversification. Since Corporate governance in Islamic banks is a social phenomenon in Islamic societies, the paper uses social theory paradigms (functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist and radical structuralist) to compare between corporate governance in Islamic banks and conventional banks. This paper demonstrates that mainstream corporate corporate governance theories are not a law of nature but a social construct.
School Bike Sharing Program: will it Succeed?
2020
Abstract Encouraging active and sustainable transport modes in order to limit the excessive use of cars, as well as reducing pollutant emissions and creating livable urban environments, has become one of the priorities for policymakers in recent years. The introduction of innovative systems increasingly being introduced in modern cities, such as bike sharing, can certainly contribute to the spread of cycling and thus allow a radical change in the mobility habits of their citizens. This can be especially true for high-school students who are often otherwise accompanied by their parents with private cars. This article aims to assess the influence that a bike sharing program for students has o…
Smart logistics as a basis for the development of the smart city
2019
Abstract In this article the issues of role and meaning of intelligent technologies has been undertaken especially in area of logistics, without which development of smart cities would be actually impossible. Even though we can argue about it, what it actually means “intelligent”, without a doubt it covers use of modern Technologies. They let to reduce negative influence of flow of good and people in urbanized areas, at the same time they increase level of quality of life in the city. In the article we discussed a trial of defining concept of ‘smart city’. As a main goal we set indication of result in area of smart logistics, that let to optimize logistic processes through digitalization an…
Developing a framework for using structure-from-motion techniques for road distress applications
2020
On Urban road networks, road agencies need to quickly identify road pavement distresses in order to identify appropriate maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. This is integral as agencies are plagued with financial and time constraint issues. There have been several attempts over the last few years to identify new solutions and techniques to solve these issues. Several of these have shown merit and accuracy in identifying distresses. However, the techniques in many instances are not correlated to available distress identification standards. One of the considered techniques is the use of Structure-from-Motion, which tries to recreate 3D distress models for identification and analysis. T…
Decision support system to design feasible high-frequency Motorways of the Sea: A new perspective for public commitment
2016
ABSTRACTThe implementation of Motorways of the Sea (MoS) within the framework of European Union aid programs experiences a period of relative stagnation. This article analyzes the suitability of current short-term nonrepayable subsidy policy and develops a decision support system (DSS) that allows a medium- and long-term feasibility analysis of MoS proposals. One significant conclusion drawn from the application of the proposed DSS to a prototypical high-frequency MoS provides that the period of initial losses prior to achievement of both modal shift and accounting profits might last 10 years. Moreover, the entire duration of the period that includes prior objectives as well as the recoveri…
Are we correctly measuring the rotational viscosity of heterogeneous bituminous binders?
2020
Modified bituminous binders allow asphalt technologists to design asphalt mixtures with superior performance. However, several recent studies highlighted that due to the complexity of these material, their characterisation can be challenging since common procedures used to characterise neat bitumen might not be adequate. For instance, during high temperature rotational viscosity testing of recycled tyre rubber modified binders (RTR-MB), a number of changes may occur to the sample leading to the here-defined sample stability which in turn provides misleading results. In this study the authors want to first provide a deeper understanding of this phenomenon by a numerical analysis using a besp…
Reclaimed asphalt binders and mortars fatigue behaviour
2017
Fatigue cracking is one of the most important failure mechanisms occurring in asphalt pavements, especially when mixtures incorporate considerable amount of rReclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). In fact, aged binders contained in RAP generally make asphalt more brittle and specifically reduce fatigue resistance of the resulting asphalt mixtures. Binders and mortars play a key role in this phenomenon, considering fatigue cracking usually starts within these asphalt components. However, performance-related tests and specifications commonly regard binders and there are no sound methodologies allowing the use of mortars to predicting fatigue performance of asphalts containing RAP. For this reason,…
Microstructure and shear strength evolution of a lime-treated clay for use in road construction
2020
The results of a comprehensive experimental programme are presented for assessing the long-term microstructural modifications and evaluating the effects of microstructural rearrangement on the stress–strain behaviour of a lime-treated high-plasticity clay for road embankments. The stress–strain behaviour at different lime content and curing time was investigated by means of direct shear tests; microstructural analyses were carried out combining Scanning Electron Microscope observations and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry tests. The results show that the stress–strain behaviour of treated clay is strongly dilatant with a high peak of strength, which increases with time and lime content. Furthe…