Early-Phase Cost Estimation For Department Of Defense Construction Projects Via Artificial Neural Networks: Implications And Policy Recommendations For Artificial Intelligence Integration,
2025
Air Force Institute of Technology
Early-Phase Cost Estimation For Department Of Defense Construction Projects Via Artificial Neural Networks: Implications And Policy Recommendations For Artificial Intelligence Integration, Kobe T. Thompson
Theses and Dissertations
The Department of Defense lost over 500 million dollars between 2016 and 2024, partially due to poor early cost estimates resulting in cost overruns. practice for cost estimation relied on parametric techniques that incorporate historical data, subject matter experts in cost estimating, and predictive software applications. The main motivation for this study was to assess the viability of artificial neural networks as a means of providing a more accurate cost estimate in the early design phases of a construction project. The dataset initially contained approximately 48,000 data points from a database of various Air Force projects, including maintenance, repair, minor …
Developing Core Competencies For The Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Management Career Field,
2025
Air Force Institute of Technology
Developing Core Competencies For The Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Management Career Field, David A. Rochester
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Air Force (USAF) relies on a highly trained and capable workforce to maintain and manage its infrastructure, ensuring mission readiness and operational effectiveness. However, the increasing complexity of asset management, aging infrastructure, and evolving global threats necessitate a structured approach to developing the competencies required for Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Managers. This research aims to identify, develop, and validate core competencies specific to this career field, utilizing a structured methodology that combines an Education Working Group (EWG) with a Delphi study. The study begins with an expert-led EWG to generate an initial list of competencies based …
Modular Construction And Integrated Project Delivery: Cal Poly Slo’S Student Housing Expansion,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Modular Construction And Integrated Project Delivery: Cal Poly Slo’S Student Housing Expansion, Nikita Taktarov
Construction Management
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is addressing the increasing demand for on-campus housing through an innovative modular dormitory project. This project, which adds approximately 4,000 new beds, marks a shift from traditional construction methods to a more efficient and collaborative approach using the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model. Unlike traditional CSU contracts that place most of the risk on contractors, this model promotes shared responsibility between the university, architects, and builders, leading to better cost control and project efficiency. A key feature of this program is the use of prefabricated construction, where building components are assembled off-site and then transported …
An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Retention Of Skilled Trades Workers At Construction Companies,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Retention Of Skilled Trades Workers At Construction Companies, James R. Walsh
Construction Management
Construction trades are going through a difficult time in recruiting right now and have been for the past 5 to 10 years. More tradesmen and women from the baby boomer generation are retiring and the rate of replacement by younger people is not enough to keep the workforce at the numbers that would be ideal for a healthy construction industry. This paper delves into what companies can do to make work a place that employees want to be and aims to provide strategies companies can use to retain a quality workforce.
Drilled Displacement Columns As A Method To Mitigate San Francisco 'Bay Mud',
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Drilled Displacement Columns As A Method To Mitigate San Francisco 'Bay Mud', Cole Soderman
Construction Management
This case study investigates the process of drilled displacement columns as a substitute for traditional pile foundations. The setting for the project is in California's infamous 'bay mud' which poses in the form of building settlement. The case study begins with a run down of what drilled displacement columns are compared to traditional pile foundations. To gain a diverse perspective several parties were interviewed on the process of drilled displacement columns. The interviewees include members of the general contractor's team, the subcontractor, and the Owner's Representative. The universal positives were time and materials which result in reducing the price for …
Introduction Of An Industial Construction Topics Course In The Cal Poly Cm Curriculum,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Introduction Of An Industial Construction Topics Course In The Cal Poly Cm Curriculum, Connor N. Merz
Construction Management
The industrial construction sector represents a significant portion of the construction industry, yet it remains underrepresented in many academic programs, including the Construction Management (CM) curriculum at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). This research investigates the feasibility and interest in introducing a dedicated industrial construction elective course to bridge this gap. A student survey was conducted to assess interest levels and determine relevant topics for the course, while an industry interview provided professional insight into necessary competencies. Survey results indicated strong student interest, with 71% expressing a willingness to take the course. The study identified key topics such as …
Examining Construction-Phase Challenges In Mass Timber Projects: Insights From Industry Professionals,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Examining Construction-Phase Challenges In Mass Timber Projects: Insights From Industry Professionals, Cole Polly
Construction Management
Mass Timber has emerged as an innovative structural alternative in the construction industry, based on its sustainability advantages and comparable level of performance to traditional materials such as steel and concrete. This engineered wood, including Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue-Laminated Timber (glulam), and Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) is characterized by its ability to scale up for large format projects and lower environmental impacts. However, there are practical challenges that happen during the construction phase of mass timber projects. This research aims to explore specific challenges that contractors, architects, and structural designers have encountered during their past or current experiences working with mass …
Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon: Cost Estimation And Planning For A Sustainable Mass Timber Home,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon: Cost Estimation And Planning For A Sustainable Mass Timber Home, George Stasinos
Construction Management
The Gateway Decathlon is an international collegiate competition that challenges university teams to design, build, estimate, and operate innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Cal Poly SLO’s entry to the competition is a mass timber single family home addressing sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate change issues in California. The research of this paper focuses on cost estimation and project planning concerning equipment and labor specifically. The aim is to create a feasible and accurate construction budget. While previous efforts have been conducted on this project, design changes and new scope additions require a comprehensive reassessment of the material, labor and equipment …
Advancing Sustainable Road Construction With Cold Mix Rap And Rejuvenator,
2025
University of South Alabama
Advancing Sustainable Road Construction With Cold Mix Rap And Rejuvenator, Abeeb G. Oyelere
Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Presentations
Presentation slides for a presentation given at the 1st annual Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum at the University of South Alabama.
Assessing The Perceived Safety Of Cyclists With Virtual Reality,
2025
California State University, Long Beach
Assessing The Perceived Safety Of Cyclists With Virtual Reality, Vahid Balali
Mineta Transportation Institute
In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians and 1,084 bicyclists were killed and approximately 67,000 pedestrians and 46,195 bicyclists injured in motor vehicle crashes on public roadways in the United States, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The transportation industry is faced with a pressing need to bolster the safety of these vulnerable road users. This research develops models of design and environmental factors that influence bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ perception of safety using Virtual Reality (VR) technology and ultimately informs transportation infrastructure design to better accommodate nonmotorized travelers. The goal of the bicycle element of this research is to develop …
Investigating The Benefits Of Utilizing Mass Timber In Construction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Investigating The Benefits Of Utilizing Mass Timber In Construction, Eden Hitzke
Construction Management
Over the past decade, mass timber—an umbrella term for engineered wood products used as primary structural elements—has gained traction in the USA as a sustainable material for multistory buildings. Mass timber is a compelling alternative to steel and concrete due to its practical construction benefits, which were discovered through interviews with architects, engineers, and contractors. The interviews reveal advantages such as a streamlined construction process, reduced site disruption, and improved structural precision thanks to off-site manufacturing. Mass timber’s biophilic aspect improves indoor occupant satisfaction and market appeal. By documenting real-world experiences, the study highlights mass timber’s benefits due to its …
Vendor-Managed Inventory: A Case Study,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Vendor-Managed Inventory: A Case Study, Blake Elijah Hanson
Construction Management
This research project examines the effectiveness of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) within the context of electrical subcontracting, using a case study based on a recent summer internship at Cupertino Electric Inc (CEI). Employing qualitative research methods, including interviews with industry professionals and personal observations, the study identifies several key factors contributing to the success of VMI and pinpoints areas for improvement. It focuses on material organization, labeling, vendor coordination, and foreman involvement, assessing their impact on job site efficiency and operations. The findings reveal that while VMI helps streamline inventory management and reduce procurement workload, its full potential is often …
Investigating The Viability Of Voucher Payments As A Development Plan,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Investigating The Viability Of Voucher Payments As A Development Plan, John Stapakis
Construction Management
California currently has a shortage of affordable housing, and Housing Choice Vouchers, also known as Section 8 housing, are one state funded solution to it. However, even once those in need of affordable housing are approved for vouchers they can have trouble finding suitable housing at a fair market price due to stigmas associated with voucher renters. This project investigates whether developers and property managers can actually use the voucher programs to their advantage to make a profit, or if that stigma is warranted. Developers can design their units in a way that appeals to these renters, and then accept …
Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Workplan: Transportation Development,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Workplan: Transportation Development, Jessie A. Santos
Construction Management
This paper outlines a detailed work plan for the transportation logistics of pre-packaged modular home components, developed for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's participation in the 2026 Gateway Decathlon competition. The project focuses on the safe and efficient transport of mass timber panels and associated modular elements from the university campus in California to the competition site in Missouri, utilizing standard packaging procedures. This document details a comprehensive strategy for loading and securing the pre-packaged components, emphasizing a systematic approach to mitigate potential risks during transit. Key aspects of the work plan include a thorough material checklist, a breakdown of …
Comparing The Work-Life Balance And Stress At General Contractors And Cm Agencies,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Comparing The Work-Life Balance And Stress At General Contractors And Cm Agencies, Lucca A. Arcolino
Construction Management
The struggle for a work-life balance has become a significant issue in the construction industry, resulting in personal and organizational challenges. This paper will compare work-life balance and stress between industry professionals working at a CM agency and those at a general contractor. A CM agency is responsible for overseeing the construction project alongside the owner by providing planning, cost estimation, scheduling, and quality assurance. In contrast, the general contractor is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations on-site. A survey was distributed to both types of construction firms to collect data about work hours, work-life balance, stress, and biggest stressors. …
Assessing Experiences Of Women In Mep Field And Project Management Roles,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Assessing Experiences Of Women In Mep Field And Project Management Roles, Lily K. Brown
Construction Management
Despite increased enrollment of women in construction education programs, the industry is not seeing significant gains in the percentages of women, especially in field and project management roles. This study looks specifically at the experiences of women in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) sector working in field and project management. Women in different career stages were interviewed to gain perspective on the state and climate of the industry from a woman’s perspective. The interviews were analyzed for recurring themes and three primary themes that emerged were: 1) women see themselves as able to bring about better team synthesis than …
Early Mechanical Coordination For Gateway Decathlon,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Early Mechanical Coordination For Gateway Decathlon, Benjamin Nunes-Dyer
Construction Management
This senior project focuses on finding an efficient mechanical system for the Gateway Decathlon prefabricated house unit. As a collective group, students working on the project decided to focus on using mass timber for the construction of the housing unit. Over the past year, the layout and design of the housing unit has been in the planning stage. Once drawings were made, the next step was to focus on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system. Research and professional help allowed for a team of students to come together and design these systems. Choosing the equipment for the mechanical system was …
Analyzing Steel Supply Chain Factors With Analytic Hierarchy Process,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Analyzing Steel Supply Chain Factors With Analytic Hierarchy Process, Edilberto Urena Jr
Construction Management
The global steel supply chain is a critical component of construction and manufacturing industries. It is a fundamental pillar supporting infrastructure development, economic growth, and technological innovation. However, disruptions in supply, price volatility, and logistical challenges necessitate an in-depth evaluation of key factors affecting the steel supply chain. These uncertainties can pose significant risks to project timelines, cost efficiency and sustainability. This study employes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making approach to systematically rank and prioritize factors influencing the supply chain. A literature review identified critical variables, which are then structured into a hierarchical model after the opinion …
Case Study: Cal Poly Housing Program (Cphp) - Student Housing Project At California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Case Study: Cal Poly Housing Program (Cphp) - Student Housing Project At California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Aidan Michael Toole
Construction Management
Full volumetric modular construction is a building technique that involves the off-site prefabrication of three-dimensional modular units, which are later transported and assembled on-site. California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and general contractor, Whiting-Turner, are building new on-campus student housing by utilizing full volumetric modular construction techniques. The buildings will be produced in modules that, when put together, reflect the identical design and intent of a site-built building. This paper will analyze the effectiveness of modular construction on a large-scale project and look at the project cost, schedule, and waste impacts from choosing this approach. The main driver …
Augmented Reality In Construction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Augmented Reality In Construction, Brendan Trinh
Construction Management
This research focuses on how augmented reality (AR) technology could assist construction projects by increasing quality control, efficiency, and collaboration. AR tools, such as Revizto, overlay 3D models into real-world construction sites, allowing the project teams to test installations and discover issues before they occur. This study aims to determine how AR affects project costs, the construction schedule, and quality. To further understand this, interviews were conducted with McCarthy Builders' Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) employees. They discussed their experiences with AR on active job sites, including its benefits, limitations, and potential improvements. Studies from an internship with McCarthy Builders …
