Theses and Dissertations from UMD
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New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM
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Item Grammar Deconstructed: Constructions and the Curious Case of the Comparative Correlative(2013) Taylor, Heather Lee; Hornstein, Norbert; Linguistics; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Comparative correlatives, like "the longer you stay out in the rain, the colder you'll get," are prolific in the world's languages (i.e., there is no evidence of a language that lacks comparative correlatives). Despite this observation, the data do not present a readily apparent syntax. What is the relationship between the two clauses? What is the main verb? What is English's "the" which obligatorily appears at the start of each clause? This thesis reviews prior analyses of comparative correlatives, both syntactic and semantic (Fillmore, 1987; McCawley, 1988; McCawley, 1998; Beck, 1997; Culicover & Jackendoff, 1999; Borsley, 2003; Borsley, 2004; den Dikken, 2005; Abeillé, Borsley & Espinal, 2007; Lin, 2007). A formal syntactic analysis of comparative correlatives is presented which accounts for its syntactic behaviors across several languages. Most notably, it challenges the assumption that constructions are essential primitives for the successful derivation and interpretation of the data (Fillmore, 1987; McCawley, 1988; Culicover & Jackendoff, 1999; Borsley, 2003; Borsley, 2004; Abeillé, Borsley & Espinal, 2007). The analysis is framed within the goals of the Minimalist Program (Chomsky 1993, 1995a), specifically with respect to endocentricity and Bare Phrase Structure (Chomsky 1995b). Crosslingustically, the first clause is subordinate to the second clause, the main clause. A'-movement (e.g., Topicalization, wh-movement, Focus) out of each clause proceeds successive-cyclically and, in the case of the subordinate clause, via sideward movement (Nunes 1995, 2004; Hornstein, 2001). In English, the word the which obligatorily appears at the start of each clause in English is a Force0. This provides an explanation for the ban on Subject-Aux Inversion (SAI) in the entire expression. The degree phrases which are present in each clause of a comparative correlative crosslinguistically contain a quantifier phrase in Spec,DegP; this quantifier is phonetically null in English. This thesis concludes by presenting conceptual arguments against constructions as primitives in the grammar. Bare Phrase Structure (BPS) (Chomsky, 1995b) is included in the system by virtue of virtual conceptual necessity (VCN). Since constructions do not meet the criteria of (VCN), their existence would compromise the principles of BPS. Further, when applied carefully, BPS renders constructions unable to be defined.Item A TOOL FOR QUANTIFYING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR(2010) Melanta, Suvish; Hooks, Elise M; Civil Engineering; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The U.S. construction industry ranks third in the nation in its production of carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing global pressure towards developing emissions reduction strategies is bound to affect the construction industry. The objective of this thesis was to develop a tool to estimate the carbon footprint of construction projects associated with transportation infrastructure. The tool determines emissions from an inventory of equipment, construction processes, and credits efforts to reduce emissions, while incorporating recent and future greenhouse gas (GHG) policies on quantifying emissions. This tool will enable construction companies to identify sources and reduce emissions, while also allowing state agencies to monitor these companies in accordance with GHG laws. The tool was applied to data associated with the construction of the Intercounty Connector, a new roadway that will connect counties in Maryland. Application of the tool to this case study showed its utility and highlighted the need for reduction strategies.Item Construction Project Organizational Structuring(2005-04-20) Salgado, Carlos; Baecher, Gregory B; Civil Engineering; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This dissertation presents an extended research study of project organizational structuring design, using Mintzberg's design parameters of organization and Lucas' IT-enabled variables on construction building project organizations. To the design parameters of unit grouping, unit size, liaison devices, planning and control systems, decision-making system and design of positions, this dissertation study simultaneously considers virtual components, technological leveling, technological matrixing, electronic linking and communications. This study used Yin's multiple case holistic design approach for this extended research study with data from major successful building construction projects to illustrate the use of this extended view and compare its findings. Based on this extended research study, this dissertation develops a practical methodology for construction project organizational structuring design. Furthermore, this dissertation applied Robbins' measures of organization structure (complexity, formalization and centralization) for corroboration.Item Perfectible housing(2004-09-09) Blanco-Lorenzo, Enrique M.; Bennett, Ralph; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Housing is the basic problem of architecture. It is connected with its origin: the primitive shack. Following the tradition of prefabrication, it is possible to think about new and alternative systems of construction, trying to generate rich and flexible spaces, which answer the changes and requirements of flexibility and adaptability in our society. The project is about an exploration of the contrast between the possibilities of the prefabricated systems and the variety and changeability of our ways of life. New technical solutions allow these new conceptions, creating a system capable of producing from single family houses to multiple story buildings, and attending different kind of aesthetic criteria.