Skip The Grid: Bringing Photovoltaic Energy To The Navajo And Hopi Nations,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Skip The Grid: Bringing Renewable Energy To Off-Grid Navajo Homes,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Economic Feasibility Of 3d-Printed Concrete Walls Vs. Traditional Framing Systems,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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: Installing Solar Systems In The Navajo Nation,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Skip The Grid: Providing Solar Energy To Navajo And Hopi Families,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Providing Solar Energy To Navajo And Hopi Families, Derrick Huang
Construction Management
In Spring 2026, the Skip the Grid program sent its 5th consecutive service project team to the Navajo Nation. Consisting of 4 faculty and 23 interdisciplinary students from various majors such as Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Management, and more, the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) team partnered with non-profit Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to install Two 200-watt PV panels, a Yeti 1500X battery, a refrigerator, and two LED lights to families in the Navajo and Hopi Nations in Northeastern Arizona. Within 3 installation days, the Skip the Grid team was able …
Improving The California Boulevard Railroad Underpass: A Feasibility Study Of Persistent Barriers And Practical Improvement Strategies,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Improving The California Boulevard Railroad Underpass: A Feasibility Study Of Persistent Barriers And Practical Improvement Strategies, Jacee D. Carpenter
Construction Management
The California Boulevard railroad underpass in San Luis Obispo has served as an informal pedestrian route for Cal Poly students since pedestrian access across the adjacent railroad tracks was restricted in 2009. Despite its frequent use, the underpass presents challenges related to lighting, drainage, surface conditions, and seasonal flooding that affect safety and accessibility. Previous studies documented these concerns and proposed improvement concepts; however, no significant physical improvements have been implemented. This project evaluates the factors contributing to the lack of improvements and examines practical strategies for enhancing the underpass within existing regulatory, environmental, and jurisdictional constraints. Methods included a …
Skip The Grid 2026: Off-Grid Power For Hopi And Navajo Families,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid 2026: Off-Grid Power For Hopi And Navajo Families, Xanthus Aurelius Poole Silverstein
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 …
Sheep Pen Improvements At City Farm Slo,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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, …
City Farm Slo Sheep Pen Improvements,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Information Session At California Polytechnic State University,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Information Session At California Polytechnic State University, Jack Durham Abernathy
Construction Management
This paper presents a detailed analysis of an information session coordinated by Jack Abernathy with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on May 14, 2026, at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. An Army Corps of Engineers info session creates a critical step for undergraduates where they have a professional environment to network with industry professionals and explore unique career paths that may have not been previously considered. The presentation exposed attendees to the history of the Corps of Engineers, employee occupations, and USACE’s varying mission sets. A representative from the USACE Sacramento District brought forward professional …
The Effect Of Music On Construction Labor Productivity,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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 …
Self-Healing Concrete In Compression With Crystalline Admixtures,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Self-Healing Concrete In Compression With Crystalline Admixtures, Nathaniel Paul Warfield
Construction Management
The construction industry is steadily pursuing sustainable and regenerative materials that extend service life and reduce maintenance requirements. Self-healing concrete containing crystalline admixtures represents one such technology. This study evaluated the compressive strength performance of a commercially available high-strength concrete with and without a crystalline self-healing admixture. Three 6-inch by 12-inch cylinders were cast using Quikrete High Strength Concrete. One cylinder served as the control specimen, while two cylinders contained Penetron Admix at approximately 1% of cement weight. One admixture cylinder was intentionally cracked after 14 days to allow time for healing before testing. All specimens were tested in compression …
The Efficiency Of Residential Modular Construction,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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. …
Ada Concrete Walkway Improvements At The Gala Pride And Diversity Center,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Ada Concrete Walkway Improvements At The Gala Pride And Diversity Center, Jonathan A. Mintz, Manuel Gonzalez
Construction Management
This paper presents the planning, design, and construction of an accessible concrete walkway completed for the GALA Pride and Diversity Center in San Luis Obispo, California. The project addressed an accessibility gap between the center's front entrance and rear parking lot through a combination of site preparation, concrete work, retaining wall construction, and supporting improvements. Construction was managed around the active events schedule while staying within the constraints of a nonprofit budget. Challenges encountered during the project included scope changes, material selection decisions, and client coordination. The completed walkway provides a safe and stable path for all visitors and directly …
Designing And Building Benches For Slo City Farm,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Designing And Building Benches For Slo City Farm, Julian Cervantes
Construction Management
The purpose of this project was to design and create multiple small benches for the City Farm SLO during the term of Spring 2026 quarter. This project was specifically intended to be an affordable, pragmatic, and durable project that would last a long time in order to serve the people that visit a comfortable place to sit and come together. In order to achieve the project delivery for these benches the pre-construction of the project started by visiting the city farm to inspect the existing benches and taking the measurements of them in order to shorten them for the use …
Understanding Cmu Construction Sequencing Through Scheduling Application,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Understanding Cmu Construction Sequencing Through Scheduling Application, Tristan J. Roberson
Construction Management
Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) wall systems are used very often in all types of construction including commercial and residential. With this said, the scheduling logic behind their installation can often be unclear for students and people new to the industry. The purpose of this project is to analyze CMU construction sequencing and demonstrate how it integrates within an overall project schedule. This study was conducted using interviews with industry professionals, review of CMU manufacturing processes, and development of a simplified Critical Path Method schedule in Microsoft Project. Information from CMU professionals regarding manufacturing processes and lead times were incorporated based …
Thematic Analysis Of Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required For Hydrogen Fuel Cell Transit Workforce,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Thematic Analysis Of Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required For Hydrogen Fuel Cell Transit Workforce, Steven Dandurand
Construction Management
The adoption and implementation of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) in public transit creates opportunities for reducing emissions and a greener future, but causes challenges related to workforce readiness and training. This research uses thematic analysis to analyze interviews with professionals to evaluate the current knowledge and skill levels of transit bus drivers, maintenance personnel, and infrastructure teams, with the goal of identifying knowledge gaps that may cause problems with the implementation of hydrogen buses on a larger scale. Data was collected through a review of transit agency resources, and interviews with drivers, technicians and agencies. The findings indicate …
Skip The Grid: Powering The Navajo And Hopi Reservations,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Powering The Navajo And Hopi Reservations, Casey A. Nuti
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project targeted at providing essential off-grid power to families of the Navajo and surrounding sovereign nations. This year a group of twenty-three students and four faculty from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) helped plan and execute the insulation of solar power and other essential amenities on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Many families that live on the reservation are below the U.S. poverty line and obtaining grid power can be extremely difficult given the rigorous permitting requirements as well as the remote location of many of their homes. This service project is …
Solar Charging Station For Construction Gang Boxes,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Solar Charging Station For Construction Gang Boxes, Scott J. Burfield
Construction Management
This senior project explores the feasibility of a solar-powered charging system that attaches to the top of a construction gang box or knack box. The purpose of the project is to provide a cleaner and more convenient way to charge tool batteries and small devices on construction sites. Adding on, it will reduce reliance on generators, extension cords, and temporary power setups by being supplemental support. Research included interviews with construction electricians, product selection, cost estimating, energy calculations, and an evaluation of constructability and project risks. The proposed design uses a 100-watt solar panel, a portable power station, and a …
Construction Of Lightly Reinforced Concrete Walls And Foundations For Fiber Reinforced Polymer Testing,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Construction Of Lightly Reinforced Concrete Walls And Foundations For Fiber Reinforced Polymer Testing, Aidan D. Seed, Coulter Langmaid, Ryan R. Bousfield, Bennett B. Steiger
Construction Management
This paper details the construction of two cast-in-place concrete walls with attached footings, built to continue ongoing research into Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) retrofitting conducted by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Architectural Engineering (ARCE) department. The project was located inside the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) High Bay testing facility and is part of a multi-year effort to evaluate FRP wrap as a seismic retrofitting option for lightly reinforced concrete walls dating to the pre-1980s. Formwork from the previous year's senior project was reused for this effort, and a two-phase pour was utilized and executed by …
