Cementing Co2 Into C-S-H: A Step Toward Carbon Neutrality, Or A Step In The Wrong Direction?,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cementing Co2 Into C-S-H: A Step Toward Carbon Neutrality, Or A Step In The Wrong Direction?, John Reilly Benn, Tahne Larson
Architectural Engineering
As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, many in the construction industry are looking for sustainable solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. One of the biggest contributors to atmospheric CO2 comes from cement production. In 2023, researchers at MIT explored ways to enhance concrete’s natural ability to act as a carbon sink. Concrete does this unassisted through a chemical reaction called carbonation, by which atmospheric carbon bonds to key components in cement. The researchers at MIT proposed a process of early-stage forced carbonation, which can be induced by the addition of NaHCO3 into a standard concrete mix. Sodium bicarbonate, or …
Physical Construction Of 1/2 Scale Concrete Wall,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Physical Construction Of 1/2 Scale Concrete Wall, Alicia Danielle Lee, Cali Jeanne Carson
Architectural Engineering
This senior project was the physical construction and material testing of the half-scale reinforced concrete wall specimens. This included all stages of the building process, from formwork and reinforcement to concrete placement and laboratory testing.
The Xenaform,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
The Xenaform, Cassadie J. Golding
Architectural Engineering
The XenaForm explores how complex, expressive structures can emerge from simple, low-tech construction methods using principles of parametric design and structural geometry. By combining folded plate techniques with modular tetrahedral components, the project bridges high-tech digital modeling and hands-on physical fabrication. The result is a lightweight, buildable system that reclaims the engineer’s role as a form-finder.
Practical Integration Of Reality Capture In Architecture, Engineering, Construction, And Operations (Aeco) Workflows: Cost And Application Considerations,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Practical Integration Of Reality Capture In Architecture, Engineering, Construction, And Operations (Aeco) Workflows: Cost And Application Considerations, Dylan T. Ramsey
Architectural Engineering
This paper explores the practical integration of Reality Capture (RC) technologies, specifically LiDAR and photogrammetry, within Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) workflows. As interest in RC grows, costs decrease, and industry applications expand, this paper aims to clarify the current landscape of research, industry practices, hardware, and software. It provides managers, RC technology enthusiasts, and AECO professionals considering its implementation with essential insights into cost considerations, expectations, and limitations. The paper details common research and industry applications, including as-built documentation, surface analysis, and deflection monitoring, and cross-references cost data and project requirements to provide informed recommendations and considerations for …
C.H.I.I.P., Continuous Health Information For Infrastructure Protection,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
C.H.I.I.P., Continuous Health Information For Infrastructure Protection, Lariel Sasha Henley
Architectural Engineering
This paper presents the development and validation of CHIIP (Continuous Health Information for Infrastructure Protection), a wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) device designed to provide accessible, real-time data on structural performance of building structures following a seismic event. The system integrates inclinometers, accelerometers, linear potentiometers, and strain gauges with ESP32 microcontrollers to create a compact and robust data collection device that can transmit synchronized sensor data via Wi-Fi to a remote server. A web-based interface enables users to access and download live data for rapid structural evaluation. The device was tested in three phases: a small-scale wired baseline test, a …
Concrete Mix Designs With Shrinkage Reducing Admixture,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Concrete Mix Designs With Shrinkage Reducing Admixture, Beau Usry, Julio Munoz Tanaka
Architectural Engineering
The goal of this project was to explore how shrinkage-reducing admixtures (SRAs) affect the strength and overall performance of concrete. While SRAs are typically used to help reduce shrinkage and cracking, it is less common to see how they might affect compressive strength directly. To test this, three different concrete mixes were made: a control mix with no admixture, one mix with 1% SRA, and another with 3% SRA. The idea was to compare how each mix performed under the same testing conditions.
Architectural Engineering Institute: International Student Design Competition 2025,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Architectural Engineering Institute: International Student Design Competition 2025, Alexandra Marie Kersting, Alec Thomas Gibbs, Haley Francesca Sousa, Kline Genevieve Nickel
Architectural Engineering
The AEI International Student Design Competition is an annual competition held by the Architectural Engineering Institute that aims to replicate an integrated building design process. The 2025 Cal Poly team consisted of 4 Architectural Engineering students, each competing in the Structural and Integration disciplines. The team was provided a set of architectural drawings and a 3D architectural Revit model of Carson Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. The team was tasked with the creation of a complete structural design as well as a discussion of integration of other building design disciplines.
Modal Analysis Of Cal Poly’S Kennedy Library Using Computational Modeling,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Modal Analysis Of Cal Poly’S Kennedy Library Using Computational Modeling, Joseph Mangan
Architectural Engineering
This project determines the modal parameters of the Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo using ETABS. Similar analyses on the building have been performed in the past by other Architectural Engineering students. The recent renovation of the library which included a seismic retrofit provides the opportunity to understand how the modal response of concrete structures can be influenced by retrofit practices. This project provides insight into how computational modeling can be used to accurately represent real conditions, and how isolated changes from the retrofit affect the structure’s modal response.
Untold Stories – Precast Concrete Bench Construction And Installation,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Renovations At The Ranch Slo,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Renovations At The Ranch Slo, Gerardo Valenciano-Valdivia
Construction Management
The Ranch SLO is a non-profit organization that hopes to aid adults with developmental disabilities by providing outdoor employment opportunities. In the ten-and-a-half-acre property, the employees engage in a variety of different activities, ranging from planting and growing different plants, to caring for farm animals. Some of the structures in the ranch have a long time in service and need reinforcing/renovations, this project focused on two main areas where renovations took place. The first area was a garden table area equipped with a total of 10 garden tables and a shade structure covering exactly half of the tables. The main …
Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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, …
R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Assessing Fire Risks In San Luis Obispo: The Impact Of Building Construction And Landscaping On Wildfire Vulnerability,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Assessing Fire Risks In San Luis Obispo: The Impact Of Building Construction And Landscaping On Wildfire Vulnerability, Zachary A. Pollock
Construction Management
As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity across California, understanding and mitigating residential fire risk has become a public safety priority. Communities in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), such as San Luis Obispo, are especially vulnerable due to their proximity to natural vegetation and the prevalence of older housing stock. While state and local agencies have introduced regulations and educational campaigns, there remains a need for accessible, scalable tools that help identify fire risks at the individual home level. This project assessed wildfire vulnerability across 140 homes in San Luis Obispo, California, using a custom visual grading rubric informed by academic …
R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Skip The Grid 2025: Providing Power In The Navajo Nation,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Skip The Grid: Empowering The Navajo Nation Through Solar Energy,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Empowering The Navajo Nation Through Solar Energy, Gerardo L. Luna
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project through California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), aimed at providing sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities. In Spring 2025, I participated as a rooftop safety lead and solar installer in Chinle, Arizona, where our team partnered with SOLV Energy, Goal Zero, and Heart of America to bring solar power to 40 off-grid homes across the Navajo Nation. As a member of Red Team #3, I was directly responsible for ensuring safe ladder setup, supervising rooftop work, mounting solar panels, and managing exterior cable routing for 8 successful installations. Beyond …
The Third Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
The Third Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Marianne Nicole Bishai
Construction Management
This paper details the planning, development, and impact of the third annual Hasslein CAED Collaborative Student Competition. The intention of the Hasslein Cup is to engage the students of the five College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) majors in an industry-like scenario. The five majors, Architecture, Architectural Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture, make up the workforce of the construction industry, yet there has been very little opportunity for the students to work together and replicate a professional scenario. The competition began from research conducted by Greta Stout, class of 2022, which explored the benefits …
