Construction Engineering and Management Commons^™

A Smart Contract Framework For Project Financing In Gold Mining Operations: Implications For Improved Financial Forecasting, Silvia Lydia Priskilla, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari Dr.

Smart City

Gold mining projects are characterized by high capital intensity and significant operational variability, making financial forecasting particularly sensitive to the quality and timing of cash-flow data. In practice, conventional financing systems rely on multi-stage administrative processes that create delays between work completion and payment realization, reducing the reliability of financial records used for investment evaluation.

This study aims to develop a smart contract-based financing framework to improve the accuracy of profitability projections in gold mining projects. A case study approach is employed using operational and financial data from a mining project in Sumatra over the period 2023–2026. The analysis combines …

Decarbonizing Electrical Substations: An Integrative Review Of Green Technologies And Sustainable Practices Across The Infrastructure Life Cycle, Sulthan Syah Ali, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Mustika Sari

Smart City

Decarbonization of electrical infrastructure s becoming increasingly important in efforts to meet climate change mitigation targets, particularly in reducing emissions from substations. However, conventional substations continue to release significant quantities of GHG emissions throughout their life cycle As an example, a typical 500 kV substation emits around 150,000 tCO2e from construction to decommissioning. In addition, the development of green substation concepts remains limited, particularly in Indonesia where standardized approaches are not yet established. In response to the need for more sustainable power infrastructure, this study aims to identify, classify, and review all types of green technologies, practices, and innovations that …

Flexible-Mode Multi-Skilled Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem With Setup Times: Application In The Oil And Gas Industry, Safinaz M. El Dawody

Theses and Dissertations

Turnaround maintenance (TAM) in the petroleum refining sector requires coordinating geographically dispersed project portfolios under stringent resource, schedule, and budget constraints. Conventional scheduling models treat tasks in isolation, failing to account for shared resources, crew fatigue, or inter-site transit. To bridge this gap, this study introduces and empirically validates a Flexible-Mode Multi-Skilled Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem with Setup Times (FM-MS-RCPSP-ST). Applied to a real-world portfolio of 76 TAM projects across five governorates in Egypt, the framework is operationalized through an 11-stage pipeline integrating NSGA-II multi-objective optimization, GIS-based routing, and 500-trial Monte Carlo disruption simulations.

Results demonstrate that incorporating mandatory crew-rest …

From Aspiration To Obligation: A Contractual Sustainability Framework For The Egyptian Construction Industry, Salma Ali

Theses and Dissertations

The construction industry is responsible for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and 35% of total waste generation, making it one of the most significant contributors to the global sustainability challenge. In Egypt, that challenge takes a specific contractual form. Egypt’s construction sector contributes approximately 23% of national energy consumption, yet the survey findings reveal that 63.5% of construction professionals report that sustainability clauses rarely or never appear in contracts, and only 11.5% confirm the presence of enforceable provisions with measurable targets. This gap is structural rather than attitudinal. Competitive procurement penalises voluntary sustainability investment, and without contractual obligation, awareness …

An Integrated Sensor-Fusion Framework For Performance-Based Compensation In Construction, Aly Ayman El-Ashry

Theses and Dissertations

Construction productivity has historically stagnated due to a reliance on subjective labor monitoring and “lagging” performance indicators. This research proposes a novel compensation model with the use of Total Energy Management System (TEMS) to translate labor effort and efficiency into payment incentives with the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) wearables and Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts.

This research addresses the systemic problem of declining construction productivity caused by industry’s inability to objectively quantify human effort. While traditional models rely on post-facto production tallies, a significant research gap exists in real-time physiological labor monitoring. To bridge this, the proposed TEMS …

From Ports To Projects: Estimating The Impact Of Supply Chain Volatility And Trade Policy Changes On Construction Material Prices, Ahmed Shiha, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Construction material markets are often reliant on imported commodities. Import tariffs and temporary trade barriers disrupt supply chains, presenting stakeholders with uncertainties regarding how such disruption impacts construction material prices. Despite the plethora of research efforts that examine the effects of economic conditions on construction material prices, the impacts of the import quantities remain understudied. This paper fills this knowledge gap using a multistep methodology. First, the prices of major construction materials and the quantities of the relevant imported commodities are retrieved. Second, the stability of their historical trends was assessed using econometrics-based tests. Third, a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag …

Tanzania Mbesese Initiative 2026, June Ezzell, Sam Liebman, Noah Beyer, Kate Hamilton, Luke Vollert, Kylee Borgen, Cody Balazs, Meg Mclaughlin

Architectural Engineering

The Tanzania Mbesese Initiative 2026 Senior Project supports a multi-year design-build effort to establish the Same Polytechnic College in Same, Tanzania. This community faces high poverty levels and limited access to higher education, necessitating sustainable infrastructure to support tertiary education. To prepare for the upcoming July phase of construction, an eight-student Architectural Engineering team designed three practical and resilient structures: a Shade Structure, a Water Collection Structure, and a Reusable Scaffolding system. The final design applied structural analysis, modeling, and hand-tool fabrication practice to balance material efficiency with long-term structural durability. The deliverables provide comprehensive construction documentation, complete material takeoffs, …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Photovoltaic Energy To The Navajo And Hopi Nations, Emily Edmondson

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning initiative that provides off-grid solar energy systems to households within the Navajo and Hopi Nations that lack access to electricity. In March 2026, students from five academic disciplines at California Polytechnic State University partnered with industry professionals and community organizations to complete the fifth annual installation trip. The project's purpose was to improve quality of life by providing reliable access to lighting, refrigeration, and small-scale electrical power in underserved communities where traditional grid expansion is extremely costly. Preparation for the project included fundraising, procurement, technical training, and coordination among multiple stakeholders. Participants were …

2026 Annual V.E.S.T Hackathon: Improving Gender Inclusivity Of Glove Fitting, Makena E. Fix

Construction Management

Safety gloves are an essential part of field personnel's personal protective equipment (PPE). Gloves protect against cuts, burns, chemicals, and other hazards. Properly fitting gloves reduce the risk of injury by enabling the suitable use of task-specific protection. The 2026 Verifying Everyone’s Safety Together (V.E.S.T) Hackathon was hosted to identify ways in which gloves fit workers differently, and evaluated six different glove types, ranging from woven cut rated to firefighting gloves. To understand experiences faced by workers with their PPE, firefighters were interviewed and discussions were held at the Hackathon. The collaborative event brought industry members and students together to …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Renewable Energy To Off-Grid Navajo Homes, Zion Hall

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning project that provides sustainable energy solutions to families with school-aged children living in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a team of 23 students from five academic disciplines at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to complete the fifth year of the program. The project's purpose was to improve quality of life and support educational success by providing reliable access to electricity, lighting, and refrigeration in underserved communities. Participants were organized into five installation teams consisting of Cal Poly students, faculty, industry …

International Construction In El Salvador, Daniel Roberts

Construction Management

My senior project focused on participating in international construction operations in El Salvador through hands-on involvement in the construction of a steel warehouse facility and a small residential home. The project emphasized structural concrete placement, field coordination, construction sequencing, and adaptation to regional construction practices. Work included assisting with concrete foundations, slab preparation, reinforcing steel placement, masonry work, and general site coordination activities. The experience provided practical exposure to labor productivity, material availability, scheduling challenges, and construction methods commonly used in developing regions. The project also highlighted the importance of communication, problem-solving, and flexibility when working in an international construction …

Economic Feasibility Of 3d-Printed Concrete Walls Vs. Traditional Framing Systems, David Hawk

Construction Management

The construction industry faces mounting pressure to adopt more efficient building technologies. 3D-printed concrete (3DCP) has emerged as a promising alternative to wood-frame wall systems, offering reduced labor costs, shorter schedules, and lower long-term maintenance expenses. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of 3DCP versus traditional framing across three project scales — single-family (2K SF), multifamily (20K SF), and large development (100K SF) — using mixed-methods combining quantitative cost data with qualitative industry interviews. Results indicate 3DCP becomes cost-competitive at approximately 20,000 SF of wall area, with a decisive advantage at 100K+ SF ($26–$34/SF vs. $29–$45/SF traditional). Equipment mobilization ($8–$18/SF) …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Solar Energy To The Navajo Nation, Makaela L. Zavala

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project in which California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students partner with Heart of America and SOLV Energy to install off-grid solar systems for families in the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. The project aims to address energy inequity by providing reliable electricity for lighting, refrigeration, and essential daily needs. This paper focuses on the communications and logistics planning required to support a large-scale service project involving over twenty students and multiple partner organizations. The methodology included coordinating travel, organizing team assignments, managing documentation, and maintaining communication throughout the trip. The project resulted …

City Farm Slo Sheep Pen Improvements, Oscar Rocha

Construction Management

City Farm SLO is a non-profit that focuses on educating under-served and at-risk youth on health, success, and environmental responsibilities. The organization’s mission is accomplished while connecting many people from different backgrounds, which include diverse ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. City Farm SLO promotes hands-on learning, providing opportunities for Cal Poly Construction Management students to build on the farm. This senior project consists of the construction of a 50 cubic yards sheep hill, vehicle access gates, side entry gate, front catch pen, and back corral fencing. Outside of the field construction, there was extensive planning to coordinate with the farm’s …

The Effect Of Music On Construction Labor Productivity, Ayush Khare

Construction Management

Every day the construction industry is looking for ways to improve labor productivity, jobsite morale, and overall project efficiency. Contractors often focus on larger strategies such as scheduling, manpower planning, equipment selection, and material coordination to help projects stay on time and within budget. However, smaller jobsite conditions can also affect how workers perform throughout the day. Music is one of these conditions. On many construction sites, music is already used informally by laborers while they complete physical and repetitive tasks. Even though music is common in construction culture, its effect on productivity and morale is not often measured or …

Sheep Pen Improvements At City Farm Slo, Diego Eliseo Romero

Construction Management

City Farm SLO is a non-profit educational farm that focuses on creating clean produce and educational farm work environments in San Luis Obispo, California. The farm can provide its community with learning programs for the youth, hands-on experience in farming practices, and livestock care. The work was set out for this project across two quarters where we improved the existing sheep pen so that the volunteers and livestock who use the pen can enjoy the area much more comfortably and safely. The overall project scope included several improvements which all required initial designs, coordination with the farm and its volunteers, …

How Modular Construction Techniques Can Be Beneficial To The Nuclear Construction Industry, Samuel Lawrence Maurer

Construction Management

Nuclear energy will soon be needed to supply sustainable and clean power to companies that work with Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing. Across the world, lots of large-scale nuclear power plants that have been recently constructed have had many issues, such as cost overruns, schedule delays, permitting issues, and more. The purpose of this project is to examine how modular construction, specifically in the form of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), can positively impact the nuclear construction industry and potentially reduce some of the common issues that these large-scale nuclear power plant projects typically face. The findings suggest that the use …

Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems In The Navajo Nation, Joey Massey

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is a student led interdisciplinary project that aims to bring sustainable solar energy to families in the Navajo Nation who lack reliable power at home. The 2026 Skip the Grid trip was the fifth consecutive year of the joint effort between California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students across multiple departments, Heart of America (HOA), SOLV Energy, and Nextpower. Over the three working days the 5 teams installed Goal Zero Solar Systems in 50 homes on both the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. These systems brough power, light, and refrigeration to families, enhancing their quality of life …

The Efficiency Of Residential Modular Construction, Alina Viola Dziuk

Construction Management

This study examines the efficiency of permanent modular construction in the residential multifamily sector framed with steel in the western United States, with a particular focus on labor productivity, materials, project scheduling, and cost performance in California. Research was conducted through five interviews with production managers from U.S.-based modular manufacturing companies. Results indicated that modular construction improves labor, material, time, and cost efficiency. Overall, the qualitative data gathered from interviews and the literature review suggest that modular construction offers a practical solution to California’s housing shortages, declining labor pool, and rising construction costs while improving overall project efficiency and productivity. …

The Use Of Modular Construction To Improve Schedule Efficiency, Brandon Ritchie

Construction Management

The construction industry continues to face growing pressure to deliver projects on tighter schedules with fewer resources. Modular construction has emerged as a delivery method with the potential to improve schedule efficiency by allowing off site fabrication and on site work to occur simultaneously. This research examines how modular construction affects schedule performance compared to traditional construction methods. When modular construction is well coordinated, project schedules will show improved efficiency compared to traditionally built projects. Qualitative interviews were conducted with members of the Whiting Turner team on the Cal Poly Student Housing Project, backed up by a review of schedule …