Construction Engineering Commons^™

R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction, Camryn E. Berger

Construction Management

This paper presents a narrative detailing the design and construction process undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, representing the Construction Management, Architecture, and Architectural Engineering departments. The team collaborated to design, fabricate, and install three precast concrete benches for the nonprofit organization R.A.C.E. Matters. The project began in Fall 2024 and culminated in the installation of the benches at sites managed by the San Luis Obispo Conservancy: Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. Each bench will serve as a platform for murals, visually depicting diverse racial experiences. This paper …

Caed Support Shop North Wall Project, Mateo Gonzalez

Construction Management

The CAED Support Shop North Wall Project was a student-led initiative aimed at reclaiming and enhancing valuable courtyard space within the CAED Support Shop. The existing wall, originally built to enclose a now-removed dumpster, had an irregular shape that disrupted the flow of the courtyard. With the dumpster gone, the wall no longer served a purpose and took up space that could be used by students. Our interdisciplinary team comprising of five Architectural Engineering students and one Construction Management student collaborated to plan, design, and constructing a new masonry wall that preserved the character of the original structure while improving …

Assessing The Impact Of The Women In Construction Leadership Course And Disc Training On The Construction Industry For Students And Recent Graduates, Amanda E. Mcdowell

Construction Management

This study examined the impact of the Women in Construction Leadership Course, paired with DISC training, on students transitioning into the construction industry. The DISC instrument classifies behaviors into four personality types (i.e., Dominant, Influencer, Steady, Conscientious) and the training helped students identify each personality type to improve their communication skills. Although technical skills are essential for completing daily tasks, effective leadership and communication are crucial to project success. This research explored how DISC training can improve new hires’ perceptions of their abilities to interact and communicate with their project team members. Through a survey of course participants, the study …

Untold Stories – Precast Concrete Bench Construction And Installation, Lucas Llodra

Construction Management

This paper outlines the design-build process led by an interdisciplinary team of Construction Management students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, to construct four concrete benches. In collaboration with faculty, concrete specialists, and the non-profit organization R.A.C.E. Matters, the project launched in Winter 2025. R.A.C.E. Matters initiated the effort by requesting the design and installation of benches at scenic, high-visibility locations managed by the San Luis Obispo Land Conservancy: Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. The full project scope included design development, structural calculations, prefabrication, on-site construction, and final installation. Each bench will serve as a …

R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction, Jack Alexander Ritchie

Construction Management

This senior project details the collaborative design, fabrication, and installation of three precast concrete benches for the nonprofit organization R.A.C.E. Matters in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Conservancy. The benches were designed to act as platforms for public art, amplifying diverse racial narratives through murals. A multidisciplinary team of students from Construction Management, Architecture, and Architectural Engineering worked together, with each discipline contributing to distinct phases of the project. Bench installations took place at the Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. This paper reflects on the hands-on construction process, the challenges of interdisciplinary coordination, and the real-world …

Skip The Grid 2025: Providing Power In The Navajo Nation, Daniel R. Lombardi

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at supporting the Navajo Nation by providing access to off-grid power to improve quality of life. This year, the Skip the Grid team centered its efforts around the Chinle Unified School District in Chinle, Arizona. This collaborative effort was composed of an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students, along with industry partners including SOLV Energy, Heart of America, Goal Zero, and Nextracker. Many families in the Navajo Nation still live without access to reliable electricity. Between March 23rd and March 27th, 2025, the Skip the Grid team successfully …

Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona, Joshua Zepeda Montero

Construction Management

An interdisciplinary service-learning program called Skip the Grid provides solar energy systems to Navajo Nation homes without consistent access to electricity. A group of 20 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students from different majors that include Construction Management, Mechanical Engineers, Business, and Electrical Engineers traveled to Arizona from March 23rd to 27th, 2025, to install Goal Zero solar energy systems on over 40 homes from the Navajo Nation. This project was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of SOLV Energy, Heart of America (HOA), Goal Zero, Chinle High School, and Cal Poly. These solar systems help give …

Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach, Luke Sutherland

Construction Management

This paper presents the design and implementation of an augmented reality (AR) testing protocol developed to assess construction students' planning, sequencing, and real-time decision-making skills. Using Microsoft HoloLens, the simulation exposed students to realistic jobsite scenarios that required them to interpret plans, develop task sequences, and respond to evolving conditions in the field. The protocol was conducted with over 30 construction management students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and included three progressively complex scenarios focused on underground utilities, concrete formwork delays, and overhead MEP coordination issues. Data was captured through AR interaction logs, time tracking, instructor observation, …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Circular Economy Framework For Reducing Construction Waste During The Design Process In Egyptian Architectural Design Firms, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Abeer Ahmed Kamel, Fatma Othman Alamoudy

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – Construction waste drivers, amplified by the linear economy model, contribute significantly to resource consumption and waste generation across various phases of the construction process. Recognizing the critical influence of the design process on these outcomes, this study aims to develop a framework integrating circular economy to reduce construction waste and promote sustainable practices during the design process within architectural design firms in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative and quantitative research approach was used to accomplish four objectives. A comprehensive literature review explored the concepts of construction waste, the design process, the circular economy and Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy …

A Timber Tradition: Pacific Northwest Architecture And The Role Of Local Wood Sourcing In Oregon, Kaleb Patrick Paiker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within the study of Portland’s architectural heritage, there is a deep connection to

materials local to the region. The use of these materials, combined with sensitive

architectural design, delineates a building as being from a place rather than an

imposition. The impetus to define the local wood architecture of Portland, Oregon led

me to an understanding that the health of the forest is predominant in design and

construction. I have found that environmental stewardship promotes a distinct typology

of architecture; one that can be recreated and derived from the same source—a tree.

Inferring from local wood sourcing, I have determined …

Performative Biomechanics : Evolving Buildings Into Inhabitable Organisms, Josh Lopez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

There has always been a connection between biology and architecture. Michael Pawlyn, in Biomimicry in Architecture, coined “biomechanical designs” to describe structural techniques derived from creatures. This study investigates chitin-based creatures. Crustaceans, insects, and microscopic organisms all have exoskeletons in nature. With a focus on crabs, other crustaceans and bugs, this study examines and evaluates the formal characteristics of chitin-based organisms. The architectural creations of OXMAN, NOX, which was founded by Lars Spuybroek; and Lebbeus Woods are among those that are analyzed and studied due to their inspiration from living things. They follow functional effectiveness in nature, which is why …

Assessing Student Satisfaction Using Courses Generated By Artificial Intelligence, Althaf Hussain Kallamadugu

All Theses

This research explores the effectiveness of using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated voice-over presentations as an alternative to traditional human-narrated lectures in online education. The study focuses on students preparing for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 exam for Commercial small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUASs). By comparing AI-generated lectures with human-narrated content, the research aims to assess the impact of AI on student satisfaction, engagement, and performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative analysis of exam scores and survey data with qualitative insights from student interviews. The methodology includes the creation of AI-generated voice-over presentations, survey distribution to both control …

Circular Framework In The Design & Planning Phase Of Construction, Shreya Kanther

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

Executive Summary

The transition towards circular economy in the design and construction industry represents a transformative opportunity to align economic growth with environmental sustainability. This dissertation delves deeply into how circular strategies can be implemented within the construction sector, examining their potential to mitigate resource depletion and waste generation, while fostering innovation and efficiency. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical research, the study provides a robust understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with circular models and offers actionable insights for stakeholders navigating the shift from linear to circular economic practices.

The backdrop for this research lies in the unsustainable …

Crisis Response Hospital Physical Layout Considerations During Covid-19: A Framework For Surge Preparedness, Future Investigations, And Analysis, Golnoosh Abdolahzadeh

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis investigates the intersection of hospital design and operational performance during health emergencies, explicitly focusing on layout modifications in emergency departments. The study is structured around four key components. First, it explores hospitals' significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic through data collected from interviews with Nebraska hospital leaders. Second, the research introduces a surge-based conceptual framework to guide hospital responses during crisis events. Developed from empirical data, the framework highlights the importance of flexible spatial planning and information-driven decision-making. Third, the study focuses on hospital physical layout considerations, identifying features that either supported or hindered Nebraska hospital operations during …

Bim-Based Automated System For Carbon Emissions And Construction Costs Estimation (Bas-Cc) In Modular Design And Production, Roshan Bandiwadekar

All Theses

Modular construction adopts a manufacturing-like construction process, enhancing the management of embodied carbon emissions in production and construction phases. However, estimating these emissions presents challenges due to the involvement of diverse stakeholders across various lifecycle stages. Additionally, cost considerations often influence design choices and material selections in modular constructions, neglecting the impact of embodied carbon emissions. To address these challenges, we present a proof-of-concept for an automated Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based system to estimate both carbon emissions and construction costs. This system automates the calculation of embodied carbon and cost implications of different modular designs and materials, enabling informed decision-making. …

The Importance Of Optimising Performance Within Retrofit Programmes, Seamus Harrington, Mark Mulville

Conference Papers

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan details a roadmap of measures that seek to achieve net-zero target carbon emissions by 2050. In this context, Ireland has introduced the National Retrofitting Scheme (NRS) which has set a goal of retrofitting c. 30% of existing dwellings to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 by 2030. The route to attaining this rating is dependent on the current specification and configuration of each individual property, therefore it can promote the adoption of retrofit techniques that achieve the required BER rating as opposed to focussing on optimisation of dwelling performance. The pre-cursor to the NRS was …

The Impact Of Visual Stimuli And The Properties Of Green Walls On Human Well-Being In Built And Immersive Virtual Environments, Alireza Sedghikhanshir

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The built environment significantly influences human well-being, particularly in the context of stress recovery and cognitive restoration. This dissertation investigates the impact of visual stimuli, particularly green walls, on human responses related to stress, restoration, and thermal comfort. The research is guided by three primary objectives: (1) examining the role of visual stimuli and their properties in promoting stress recovery and restoration, (2) evaluating the potential of Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) as tools for delivering and studying restorative environments, and (3) investigating the influence of green walls on indoor environmental conditions.

A series of experimental studies were carried out to …

Building Services Engineering March/April 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Framework For Integrating Industry Knowledge Into A Large Language Model To Assist Construction Cost Estimation, Prashnna Ghimire

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The construction industry generates a large amount of data across projects produced by digital devices, tools, and methods, and this volume is rapidly increasing. However, the industry lags behind in adopting data-driven technologies. On the other hand, the rapid advancement of generative AI (GenAI) in recent years, especially state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), shows great potential and has been increasingly adopted in many industries; however, the construction industry is behind in adoption. While academic studies have proposed various machine learning applications for construction, industry implementation has lagged due to a disconnect between these proof-of-concept developments and practical industry needs. Also, …