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Articles 1 - 30 of 711
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Cal Poly's Old Powerhouse Analysis Assessing Stakeholder Preferences, Marissa D. Burns
Cal Poly's Old Powerhouse Analysis Assessing Stakeholder Preferences, Marissa D. Burns
Construction Management
This research paper delves into the historical and cultural relevance of Cal Poly’s Old Powerhouse, the college’s oldest architectural landmark, which has remained in a state of disuse since the 1990s. Employing meticulous survey methodology; perspectives from faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community members are gathered to illustrate the significance of the Old Powerhouse within the various stakeholders. The study refrains from imposing interpretation but rather seeks to capture the sentiments expressed by stakeholders, providing valuable insights into the building’s perceived value. By centering on the community opinions, the research will underscore the building’s potential and expand on the collected …
The Impact Of Culture On Construction, Vatulele Uluakiotonga Finau
The Impact Of Culture On Construction, Vatulele Uluakiotonga Finau
Construction Management
The aim of this comprehensive exploration is to identify elements within Japanese, Islamic/Arabic, and Tongan cultures that can be implemented into construction practices in California, leveraging their unique values to enhance home design and construction. The study reveals that culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the design and construction of homes, reflecting deeply held values, traditions, and societal norms. Through qualitative research, expert interviews, and a detailed literature review, key elements defining each cultural approach to housing are elucidated. From the emphasis on privacy and natural ventilation in Japanese homes to the integration of modesty and hospitality in Islamic/Arabic …
Effects Of The 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards On New Construction In San Luis Obispo County, Christopher Hoefer
Effects Of The 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards On New Construction In San Luis Obispo County, Christopher Hoefer
Construction Management
California released the first Building Efficiency Standards, or Energy Code, in 1976 and has updated them every three years. These standards aim at limiting the amount of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by buildings in the state. California claims that these standards have saved consumers billions on utility bills, but there is limited information on the upfront impact the Efficiency Standards have had on new construction. This study sought to evaluate the impact that the 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards had on new construction in San Luis Obispo County. Interviews were conducted with local specialty contractors in order …
Student Solutions For Leaf Drying: A Collaborative Approach To Enhance Moringa Production In Ghana, Daniel Desoto
Student Solutions For Leaf Drying: A Collaborative Approach To Enhance Moringa Production In Ghana, Daniel Desoto
Construction Management
This paper expands on a project that seeks to address the need for an updated mechanical leaf drying system for local farmers in Ghana, Africa. Working with the local organization, Moringa Connect, we were able to connect and identify potential areas of improvement within the current existing system. This project involved aspects of design, fundraising, and the construction of a rotating metal hopper. This hopper was identified as a solution for a crucial pinch point currently seen in the processing of the leaves from a wet stage to the final dry product. The design and construction process had a multidisciplinary …
Case Study: Diesel Powered Loaders Compared To Electric Loaders In Heavy Civil Construction, Jayson Downs
Case Study: Diesel Powered Loaders Compared To Electric Loaders In Heavy Civil Construction, Jayson Downs
Construction Management
As the construction sector evolves, the environmental consequences of greenhouse gasses have become a significant issue. Numerous contractors are transitioning to electric-powered systems, which offer more energy-efficient methods for heavy machinery, enhanced productivity, and construction equipment that meets new and improved emission standards. This paper aims to examine the viability of heavy civil construction firms transitioning from traditional diesel-powered wheel loaders to electric wheel loaders. Given the competitive and saturated market in road construction, many contractors have already started investing in electric systems. This results in cost savings in terms of fuel efficiency and operating expenses compared to conventionally fueled …
Efficacy Of Passive Ventilation With High Exhaust Demands: A Case Study Of Cal Poly Sst, Siddarth Bokka
Efficacy Of Passive Ventilation With High Exhaust Demands: A Case Study Of Cal Poly Sst, Siddarth Bokka
Construction Management
The Simpson Strong Tie Demonstration Laboratory serves as a multipurpose space allowing students at the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University to build full scale construction projects. The building features a material storage area, a high bay for construction of full-scale projects, and a mezzanine level that houses digital fabrication equipment. However, the building was never designed to house the specific equipment currently installed on the mezzanine and ventilate the exhaust fumes from them. Rather, the building relies on passive natural ventilation that is likely ineffective at properly exhausting hazardous fumes, resulting in complaints from …
Designing A Chicken Coop For The San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Farm, Zoe King
Designing A Chicken Coop For The San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Farm, Zoe King
Construction Management
This paper covers the design process by a team of students from Cal Poly to provide a chicken coop for the San Luis Obispo High School FFA Farm. The project, initiated in Summer of 2023, aimed to replace their existing temporary chicken coops with a larger, better functioning structure that could house their 10+ chickens comfortably. The paper focuses primarily on the design phase but touches briefly on material procurement and construction. Through meetings with the client, the team developed a design that met the school’s design criteria and educational needs. The design process involved collaboration and many iterations of …
Lemur Enclosure, Joshua Mancio, Justin Krietzberg
Lemur Enclosure, Joshua Mancio, Justin Krietzberg
Construction Management
Zoo-to-You, a local wildlife conservation zoo, proposed a project to construct a new shelter for their lemurs due to the inadequacy of protection for extreme heat or cold weather of their previous enclosure. With three lemurs in residence, the zoo sought to create a spacious and insulated shelter that would provide protection from the elements while allowing connectivity to the adjacent enclosures. Situated amidst two existing circular cages with a gap in between, the project presented unique site conditions on a concrete slab. The scope of the project encompassed estimating, design, material procurement, build-out, and owner turnover, with the objective …
Construction Software: Use, Selection, And Performance In Low-Bid Contracting, David R. Cazares
Construction Software: Use, Selection, And Performance In Low-Bid Contracting, David R. Cazares
Construction Management
The qualitative research included in this study evaluates the use, selection, and perceived gaps of current construction software suits in low-bid contracting. In addition, the data aims to provide merit to the correlation between construction software use and company performance. The intended stakeholders of this study include entrepreneurs in software development and construction, along with researchers looking to gather knowledge pertaining to this niche industry. Through a Google Forms questionnaire distributed via email, participants provide insight on the current status quo. The study’s responses show clear trends in the types of software currently in use and the subsequent reasons for …
2nd Annual Girls Build Summer Academy: Logistics And Scheduling, Matteo Cade Cuccaro
2nd Annual Girls Build Summer Academy: Logistics And Scheduling, Matteo Cade Cuccaro
Construction Management
This paper discusses the logistics and scheduling involved for Cal Poly construction management department’s second annual Girls Build Summer Academy. The week-long academy was hosted to introduce construction related activities to 19 high school-aged girls so they could learn more about the careers available within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, while learning skills to build individual and team projects. To achieve this goal, a full schedule was developed for each day of the camp, allowing for a variety of activities, including listening to guest speakers, completing building projects, and training to safely use tools. There were many challenges that …
Compressive And Flexural Tensile Strength Impacts Of Aluminum Shavings In Concrete, Ian Smith
Compressive And Flexural Tensile Strength Impacts Of Aluminum Shavings In Concrete, Ian Smith
Construction Management
Concrete is one of the most utilized construction materials around the world, but new and cutting-edge methods are constantly pushing the envelope for concrete’s applications and feasibility as a construction material. Unfortunately, concrete has a general lack of resistance to bending and stretching. Studies have shown several successful attempts to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete through implementation of various admixtures and methods. Steel is widely considered the primary material capable of reinforcing concrete. This paper evaluates concrete’s change in strength of flexural tension and compression as a result of implementing aluminum as a reinforcing agent. To determine the full …
United States Army Corps Of Engineers Info Session At California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Gabriel L. Vesneski
United States Army Corps Of Engineers Info Session At California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Gabriel L. Vesneski
Construction Management
Gabriel Vesneski facilitated an Info Session on Thursday, November 2, at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for the United States Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District Civil Works. Three guest speakers from the Sacramento District Civil Works office presented their educational background, experience as employees for the Corps of Engineers, occupational benefits, and finally opened a question-and-answer forum for the students attending the Info Session. Upon completion of the Info Session, a survey was provided for attendees, in order to track interest in employment or internship opportunities provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Finally, there …
Vegetation And Its Effectiveness In Replacing Traditional Cooling Systems, Bryce Isaiah Trump
Vegetation And Its Effectiveness In Replacing Traditional Cooling Systems, Bryce Isaiah Trump
Construction Management
This project aimed to analyze if vegetation is effective in replacing traditional cooling systems, when utilized as green roofs and walls. It serves to provide information to the construction industry, designers, architects, and homeowners. Information gathered through a field experiment will be used to give quantitative data on if vegetation is effective and practical in replacing traditional cooling systems in buildings and homes. The basis for the idea of this project stems from two main courses in the Construction Management program, those courses being Principles of Environmental Design, and Sustainability and the Built Environment. The stated courses introduce the idea …
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Accessibility Ramp, Noah Atticus Callahan
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Accessibility Ramp, Noah Atticus Callahan
Construction Management
The San Luis Obispo’s Railroad Museum is a local organization that aims to preserve the history of the Southern Pacific Railroad and educate the community. The mission of this organization is to collect and display various historic artifacts for the public to see. This project serves to aid in the development of a 1923 boxcar into a future exhibit for the museum by creating a ramp that bridges the platform of the station to the boxcar. The ramp was constructed out of pressure treated lumber, angle iron to bind the lumber together, and hinges to allow it to fold. Both …
2nd Annual Girls Build Summer Academy: Apprentice Ii Service Project, Angeline Witt
2nd Annual Girls Build Summer Academy: Apprentice Ii Service Project, Angeline Witt
Construction Management
Cal Poly’s construction management department hosted the second annual Girls Build Summer Academy in July 2023. This paper highlights the service work project that the three returning academy participants completed during the week-long day camp. The academy’s goal was to provide high school-aged girls the opportunity to learn about the various career paths in the construction industry while emphasizing skilled trade opportunities including concrete, framing, drywall, electrical, and equipment operators. The girls worked to enrich their construction knowledge and grow their skills with hands-on building activities. By the end of the week, each girl had gained the skills and confidence …
Highlighting The Key Differences In Project Management When Using Mass Timber: Case Study, Kevin Krueger
Highlighting The Key Differences In Project Management When Using Mass Timber: Case Study, Kevin Krueger
Construction Management
Mass Timber or Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is structurally engineered wood designed to be used as the structural components of a building. As the Construction Industry shifts toward using more renewable materials, mass timber becomes more relevant. This paper presents a comprehensive case study focusing on the construction process innovations implemented in a recent mass timber project located in San Francisco. The project involves the construction of a secure facility for a prominent biotechnology company. This research aims to learn the innovative techniques and strategies that contributed to the successful completion of this unique project. Key stakeholders, including the project …
Paso Robles Police Department Shooting Range Stairs, Emily Ann Andres
Paso Robles Police Department Shooting Range Stairs, Emily Ann Andres
Construction Management
The Paso Robles Police Department has a shooting range located just outside the Paso Robles Airport. The range is a newer facility that is used for training by the Paso Robles Police, as well as departments from surrounding cities. The flagpole for the range, located at the top of the hill, was inaccessible due to the brush overgrowth, gopher holes, and uneven terrain. Thus, the department needed a new staircase to improve accessibility to the flagpole so the red flag can be flown while the shooting range is in use. With many neighboring facilities, such as the remote-control plane club, …
Skip The Grid: Solar System Installations In The Navajo Nation, Gina H. Chun
Skip The Grid: Solar System Installations In The Navajo Nation, Gina H. Chun
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary project that involves installing solar energy systems in the Navajo Nation. The project’s mission was to support the Navajo families, specifically the students that have limited access to light which directly affects their education. On March 26, 2023, a team of 20 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, across eight different majors, travelled to Arizona to collaborate with the Red Mesa and Chinle Unified School Districts to install “off-grid” solar energy systems and lights. Through this project the Cal Poly students learned about the people of Navajo Nation, solar energy, …
French Drain Project At Woods Humane Society, Thomas Douglas Collins
French Drain Project At Woods Humane Society, Thomas Douglas Collins
Construction Management
The Woods Humane Society is a prominent animal care facility that aims to rehabilitate, rescue, and assist in the adoption of dogs and cats in the greater San Luis Obispo area. The property contains multiple dog playpen areas which consist of a concrete slab surrounded by a chain link fence, designed for the animals to have an open space to run around throughout the day. Employees are required to hose down the slab hourly to maintain a clean environment for the animals. When employees hose down the playpen areas, a considerable amount of water runs off the slab and into …
The Torii Project, Edward Anthony Sanchez Pascua
The Torii Project, Edward Anthony Sanchez Pascua
Construction Management
This is a summary of the Torii Project: how the project came to be, and the process behind the preconstruction of installing the structure. A Torii is a Japanese gate structure in Japanese Shinto practices, as the structure is a frame for a significant space. The project was initially started by the Japanese Student Association, and has grown over time become an interdisciplinary design build project involving architects, civil engineers, landscape architects and construction management majors. The design came from Cal Poly Architecture Alumni Amir Hossler who has studied the construction of Toriis in Japan and was the main source …
Meadow Park Community Gardens Improvements, Ryan D. Preciado
Meadow Park Community Gardens Improvements, Ryan D. Preciado
Construction Management
The San Luis Obispo Community Gardens offer space for residents to grow food at a low-cost yearly lease. Among the five Community Gardens in the city, there are over 100 plots available to purchase. These plots can vary from in-ground garden beds, off-ground raised garden beds, and ADA accessible garden beds. The goal with this project is to provide the Community Gardens with infrastructure to allow for a better garden experience and to increase the volume at which San Luis Obispo residents can utilize the gardens. Through communication with the San Luis Obispo Community Gardens, we were able to determine …
Profitability Analysis Of The Commons, Chloe E. Meyer
Profitability Analysis Of The Commons, Chloe E. Meyer
Construction Management
Given the current saturated housing market, prices of single-family dwellings have exponentially increased. Due to this housing crisis, alternative housing approaches need to be considered. One potential solution to increasing the supply of affordable housing units is a tiny house village community. Tiny house communities can carry with them a stigma of rundown looks and an RV park aesthetic, but they don't need to. Tiny house communities, at their best, can be thriving communities that are anchored in communal living, shared resources, and affordability.The Commons is a proposed tiny house village development that would be located on 1.6 acres. The …
Disc Analysis Of Cal Poly Cm Students And Industry Professionals, Kai Gunaratna
Disc Analysis Of Cal Poly Cm Students And Industry Professionals, Kai Gunaratna
Construction Management
This research analyzes why type D personality, as defined by the DISC personality assessment of 123test, was by far the most common personality type in the Cal Poly Commercial Construction class of winter 2022. This is interesting, as type D is the rarest personality type, making up ~ 9% of the global population (D Style - Type D Personality, n.d.). This was investigated by collecting DISC data from other Cal Poly Construction Management students to see if winter 2022 was an outlier, or if D type prominence is indeed a Cal Poly trend. The results of this research confirm that …
Development Of The New Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Catie Dines
Development Of The New Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Catie Dines
Construction Management
This paper outlines the development and execution of the new Hasslein CAED Collaborative student competition which engages students of all five majors in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design in a Request for Proposal style competition. CAED houses students studying Architecture, Architectural Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture. There is little opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration within the CAED, despite our future career paths being heavily intertwined. This competition followed research by Greta Stout, class of 2022, on the benefits and support of interdisciplinary collaboration at Cal Poly SLO in CAED. The competition is named after …
Creating A Demolition Estimate Lab Assignment, Alex Domine
Creating A Demolition Estimate Lab Assignment, Alex Domine
Construction Management
This senior project aims to create a Demolition Estimate Lab as part of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo's Demolition Topics Course, with the goal of enhancing construction education through practical experience in estimating demolition costs. The Lab will be equipped with industry-standard tools and software to simulate diverse demolition scenarios, covering site preparation, equipment requirements, waste disposal, labor needs, and environmental considerations. The project methodology entails extensive research and the integration of interactive learning activities. This initiative is expected to yield several benefits for students. Firstly, it will lead to improved learning outcomes by providing hands-on experience in estimating demolition …
Skip The Grid: Restoring Light To The Navajo Nation, Diego Isaias Gonzalez
Skip The Grid: Restoring Light To The Navajo Nation, Diego Isaias Gonzalez
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project through California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) where students and faculty partnered with sponsors including SOLV Energy and Goal Zero, and facilitation by Heart of America, an educational equity non-profit, to bring solar power to 27 families of school aged children in the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is a historically disadvantaged community which lacks the infrastructure and financial capacity to provide electrical service to about a third of the families living on the reservation. Families in the Red Mesa and Chinle School Districts were the focus for this …
Slab Extension At Woods Humane Society, Corey K. Smith
Slab Extension At Woods Humane Society, Corey K. Smith
Construction Management
Woods Humane Society is an animal shelter that provides pet rehabilitation and adoption services to San Luis Obispo and surrounding areas. The Woods’ facility contains a number of kennels for dogs as well as numerous outdoor, fenced-in, concrete exercise yards. These yards give dogs the opportunity to play outside a few times a day allowing them to get vital exercise. One of these yards on the south side of the property had an exterior fence that was offset from an existing slab on the interior of the fence by one foot. This was an issue for the shelter as dogs …
City Farm Slo Fencing Upgrade, Jorge Ignacio Hernandez
City Farm Slo Fencing Upgrade, Jorge Ignacio Hernandez
Construction Management
This paper outlines the process of a fence upgrade that was built for a non-profit organization in San Luis Obispo, CA called City Farm SLO. The City Farm SLO is a non-profit organization that educates locals how to grow healthy and sustainable foods. This new fencing project spans a total of 422 feet with three new farm gates. The process that was approached for this project was to have it planned in three different phases. The first phase was the pre-construction phase, which consisted of meetings with the owner, creating a design, making a materials list, estimating the total cost …
The Viability Of Electrification For Industrial Off-Road Vehicles In Construction, Caden Patrick Stoker
The Viability Of Electrification For Industrial Off-Road Vehicles In Construction, Caden Patrick Stoker
Construction Management
Federal and State legislation has been passed limiting the prospective propulsion options for heavy industrial off-road vehicles that general contractors can operate on the jobsite. The interest behind this research project is the viability of introducing fully electric off-road construction vehicles into the heavy civil construction industry and if the timeline for implementation is realistic or optimistic. As new rules and regulations pertaining to the future emissions requirements of civilian and commercial vehicles effect the country, the construction industry is spending billions in order to develop (and are currently developing) fully electric off-road industrial vehicles (dozers, front loaders, scrappers, dump …
Safety First Means Safety Fits- An Awareness Campaign For Inclusive Ppe Designed For Women, Reagan Kellen Tonda
Safety First Means Safety Fits- An Awareness Campaign For Inclusive Ppe Designed For Women, Reagan Kellen Tonda
Construction Management
The construction industry has long overlooked the unique needs of women in terms of personal protective equipment (PPE), leading to discomfort and safety risks. This paper presents the "Safety First Means Safety Fits" social media awareness campaign, which aims to increase awareness about the importance of size-inclusive PPE for women and the progress being made in the industry. The campaign utilized social media, specifically Instagram, as a platform for dialogue and information distribution. The campaign involved the creation of an Instagram account (@safetyfits_CP) and the development of six posts addressing various aspects of women's PPE. The posts were promoted through …