Assessment Of Musculoskeletal Disorders (Msds) Risk During The Framing Of A 6' X 8' Wooden Shed Using Traditional Hammers,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Assessment Of Musculoskeletal Disorders (Msds) Risk During The Framing Of A 6' X 8' Wooden Shed Using Traditional Hammers, Maxwell R. Helfman
Construction Management
Wood-framed construction will almost always use nails as a connector whether it be for different pieces of wall sections or connecting wall sections to the structure. Nails also act in Shear Walls in different nailing patterns to prevent the panel from splitting. Houses in modern times are usually nailed with nail guns, either with a cord or cordless, which reduces their exposure to Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, smaller jobs may opt to use traditional hammers instead of nail guns. This study aims to numerically quantify the forces and flexions one puts on the body when performing nailing tasks using a …
Skip The Grid: Pv System Installations In The Navajo Nation,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Pv System Installations In The Navajo Nation, Samuel Varney
Construction Management
The Skip the Grid initiative is a collaborative effort between interdisciplinary California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo students, SOLV Energy, and the non-profit organization Heart of America aiming to strengthen the quality of life for Navajo Nation families. Many of the Navajo Nation’s residents are not connected to the power grid and don’t have access to sustainable alternatives, and this project aims to combat this by installing photovoltaic energy panel systems with lights and a battery storage system in their homes. With the help and guidance of the Consolidated School District near Farmington New Mexico, the project team was …
Iron Filings Impact On The Compressive Strength Of Concrete,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Iron Filings Impact On The Compressive Strength Of Concrete, Dominic Daniel Aceves
Construction Management
In this study, compression tests were performed on three different mix designs of concrete to evaluate the effects of iron filings as an admixture to concrete. The first mix design served as the control mix, being the variable that the other two mixes will be based off. The second mix design was the same as the first mix design, but with an added 12 ounces of iron filings. The third mix design was, again, the same as the first mix design, but with an added 24 ounces of iron filings doubling that of the second mix design. The objective of …
Exploring The Role Of Construction Technology Copilots,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Exploring The Role Of Construction Technology Copilots, James S. Thielmann Jr.
Construction Management
In the rapidly evolving construction industry, the adoption of software solutions is essential for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring timely project delivery. This paper assesses the effectiveness and usefulness of existing construction software solutions, focusing on their functionalities, strengths, and limitations. Among the prominent solutions gaining traction are Trunk.Tools, Constructable.ai, and ProjectEngineer.ai. The construction industry, although historically slower to adopt new technologies, stands to gain a great deal from these tools in terms of project management and performance. This research includes a thorough examination of ProjectEngineer.ai's reach in the market, feature development, and growing uptake among experts in the …
Skip The Grid: Solar Panel And Battery Installations In Navajo Nation,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Solar Panel And Battery Installations In Navajo Nation, Samir S. Ramanathan
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a collaborative effort to bring off-grid power to communities that are isolated and experience inequalities, such as the Navajo Nation, in order to enhance their quality of life. This effort involved an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, SOLV Energy, and Heart of America (HOA). Due to the vast nature of the reservation, lack of government focus in the region, and Covid’s severe damage to the community, a large number of homes of school age children do not have power. This project installed solar panels, battery systems, and lights …
Consumption And Waste For Hydrating Workers With Single Use Plastic Bottles,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Consumption And Waste For Hydrating Workers With Single Use Plastic Bottles, James Colnett
Construction Management
The construction industry significantly contributes to environmental waste, notably through the extensive use of plastic water bottles for hydrating field personnel. This case study investigates the hydration practices of a midsize construction company in the Bay Area, focusing on the volume of plastic waste generated and potential sustainable alternatives. Data were collected via surveys sent to 15 employees, revealing that approximately 130,416 plastic bottles are used annually across 11 project sites. Despite the convenience and compliance with OSHA regulations, the reliance on single-use plastic bottles presents severe environmental and health concerns, such as resource depletion and microplastic pollution. Survey results …
Skip The Grid: Delivering Power To The Navajo Nation,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Delivering Power To The Navajo Nation, William Jacob Bellios
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bring sustainable, off-grid power solutions to isolated communities facing significant challenges, such as the Navajo Nation. This collaborative effort involved an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) SOLV Energy, and Heart of America (HOA). Due to the vast and dispersed nature of the reservation, a historical lack of government investment, and the severe impact of COVID-19 on the community, many homes are without electricity. This project aimed to address these issues by installing Goal Zero solar panels, battery systems, and lighting in 24 homes of …
Understanding The Behavior And Risk Tolerance Of Future Construction Industry Leaders,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Understanding The Behavior And Risk Tolerance Of Future Construction Industry Leaders, Mateo Daniel O'Sullivan
Construction Management
A long persisting detriment to the construction industry is the impact of alcohol, substance abuse, and gambling throughout the field. Many workers fear the repercussions of missing work and push through smaller, manageable pain, leading to injuries and further pain as they age. This causes a heightened usage of opiates throughout the industry to stay at work without bothering your company. Additionally, many young project engineers are not used to the demand of long hours every week and look for vices to relieve stress. While there is plenty of data on the construction industry overall, this study aims to learn …
San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Swine Barn Demolition And Enclosure Reconfiguration,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Swine Barn Demolition And Enclosure Reconfiguration, John F. Spurlock
Construction Management
The San Luis Obispo High School (SLOHS) FFA program required an upgrade to its deteriorating swine barn. This project came in three unique scopes of work: demolition of the existing barn, proper disposal of materials, and reconfiguration of the enclosure and water lines. This paper will cover specifically the reconfiguration of the enclosures and the redesign of the watering system. This phase of the project required skills in framing and plumbing, which our team had absorbed during specific construction management courses at Cal Poly. The reconfiguration included framing and securing a long span of fencing along the northern side of …
Exploring Mass Timber And Mitek Posi-Strut System In Modern Construction,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Exploring Mass Timber And Mitek Posi-Strut System In Modern Construction, Matthew N. Maloney
Construction Management
This study evaluates the performance, cost-effectiveness, and constructability of two different truss systems by constructing identically sized mockup models. The comparison focuses on the top chord POSI-Strut Metal Web System and the bottom chord truss system, both utilizing Boise Cascade LVL engineered lumber. Our findings reveal that the top chord POSI structure truss system is more cost-effective and time-efficient compared to the bottom chord truss system. The top chord system's design reduces material costs and speeds up construction time, making it an attractive option for projects with tight budgets and schedules. However, the top chord POSI-Strut Metal Web System has …
The Future Of Fiberglass Rebar In Concrete Structures,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
The Future Of Fiberglass Rebar In Concrete Structures, Dillon Michael Elliott
Construction Management
In the working elements of the construction industry, the strive for materials that aim for strength, durability, and sustainability are never-ending. For traditional steel reinforcement this material faces inevitable challenges over time such as corrosion, weight of material, and environmental concerns. However with the emergence of fiberglass rebar, the negative impacts we see from traditional steel rebar may be resolved within the industry of construction. This paper aims to explore and propose a different alternative to reinforcement in concrete structures with the use and integration of fiberglass. The effectiveness which fiberglass as a reinforcement material offers will be investigated throughout …
Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Students,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Students, Colette Burd
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an annual joint initiative facilitated by the non-profit Heart of America involving California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students and faculty, and SOLV Energy. The Skip the Grid project brings power and lighting to Navajo Nation families with school-age children by installing a self-contained solar battery system. Completed from March 24th through March 28th of 2024, this year the Skip the Grid project brought photovoltaic energy systems with solar panels, a battery, lights, and outlets to 24 homes, benefiting over 100 students in the Consolidated School District within the Navajo Nation. For the …
Evaluating Value Engineering Techniques Of California Contractors,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Evaluating Value Engineering Techniques Of California Contractors, Mason Alec Montoya
Construction Management
Value engineering plays a critical role in delivering the best possible project to an ownership team. Preconstruction teams across firms of all sizes perform value engineering studies to determine how project scopes can be changed to advance the construction schedule, reduce costs, and ensure the end user is satisfied with their building. To determine how California general contractors employ value engineering, I used a series of interview questions in a structured format to interview four professionals from different California general construction firms. The analysis and findings of my study provide insight into how familiar construction teams are with value engineering …
Son Care Foundation – Lean To Shade Structure Design And Construction,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Son Care Foundation – Lean To Shade Structure Design And Construction, Ryan Joseph Mccann
Construction Management
This paper discusses the design and construction of a lean-to-shade structure built for the Son Care Foundation in San Luis Obispo. The Son Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises guide dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD. This shade structure is 16 feet long and 6 feet wide, its height slopes from 9 feet in the front down to 8 feet in the back creating a roof pitch of 2:12. The sheet metal roof also has an overhang of approximately 1 foot. As requested by the client, the shade structure was designed to fit the aesthetic of …
Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks
Construction Management
The construction industry is known for its demanding nature, often leading to significant mental health challenges among its workforces. This study investigates mental health issues prevalent in construction, focusing on identifying key stressors and potential protective factors. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with a survey distributed to construction professionals. The survey gathered data on job satisfaction, stress, coping mechanisms, and the availability and utilization of mental health resources. Results indicated high levels of job dissatisfaction and stress, with respondents citing poor communication, excessive work hours, and lack of control over their roles as primary stressors. …
Heavy Civil Estimating Utilizing Hcss Heavybid,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Heavy Civil Estimating Utilizing Hcss Heavybid, Quintan Matthew Davis
Construction Management
The estimate process is an essential aspect of the construction industry. Understanding how bids are formed and being able to create one for yourself is critical in being able to really understand cost breakdown of a construction process. This paper will focus around the process in creating a presentation for Cal Poly students, breaking down HCSS HeavyBid and its functions. This project was created to address this idea of attempting to teach HeavyBid to Cal Poly future young engineers. This was particularly important because young students learn how to be a great young engineer in the construction field, however not …
Electrical Design For Moringa Leaf Dryer,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Electrical Design For Moringa Leaf Dryer, Jake Weiss
Construction Management
The objective of this project is to provide a methodology to the electrical scope of mechanical leaf dryers. This dryer was particularly designed for an off-grid farm in New Longoro, Ghana in which resources and materials are limited. The electrical system must be designed so that it works with motors, variable frequency drives, worm gears, and other materials that could be sourced in Ghana. The system should also draw minimal power so that remaining photovoltaic energy could be utilized on the farm. The system should be simplistic and repeatable for other farmers to utilize. By using both a numerical analysis …
Exploring California Residents’ Perspectives On Solar Panel Viability For Residential Properties,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Exploring California Residents’ Perspectives On Solar Panel Viability For Residential Properties, Alecsander Gregg
Construction Management
The qualitative research conducted in this study aims to analyze the overall consensus of feelings and attitudes from California residents towards photovoltaic systems being installed on to their properties. The intended audience for this study are for stakeholders in the renewable energy markets, and more specifically in California’s solar panel market. Additional audiences for this study may be for additional or other research regarding solar panel or photovoltaic technology specifically within the state of California. Through a Google Forms questionnaire distributed via email, participants provide insight on their thoughts and feelings regarding certain aspects of solar panels on properties that …
Superintendent Skill Sets In Both Heavy Civil Construction And Commercial Construction,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Superintendent Skill Sets In Both Heavy Civil Construction And Commercial Construction, Tyler Hill
Construction Management
This paper investigates the distinct skill sets required for superintendents in both heavy civil and commercial construction industries through qualitative research, focusing on interviews with industry professionals. It identifies key differences in the roles, such as the emphasis on field experience for heavy civil superintendents, who often advance through the trades, versus the necessity for broader technical skills and higher education for commercial superintendents. This paper gathers insights from interviews with superintendents, conducted through personal and professional connections, focusing on their experiences and key industry differences. Despite these distinctions, the research reveals commonalities across both sectors, including the importance of …
Effect Of Pismo Clams As Partial Fine And Coarse Aggregate Replacement On Workability And Compressive Strength Of Concrete,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Effect Of Pismo Clams As Partial Fine And Coarse Aggregate Replacement On Workability And Compressive Strength Of Concrete, Alan Munoz Pille
Construction Management
Concrete has been utilized for ages. Unfortunately, over the hundreds of years there has been little development in the applications of new aggregate materials. The world is moving towards a sustainable way of living and as a result seashells have come into the mix. Pismo Clams are a native species to San Luis Obispo County. This marine species has the possibility of becoming a partial aggregate replacement for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. The results of prior studies indicate a possible application of seashell use in concrete. This paper evaluates the workability and compressive strength of concrete containing fine …
