Digital Commons Network^™

Keeping Coms Connected: Building A Foundation For Alumni Engagement, Ella Captain, Alec Tonas, Selina Bali

Communication Studies

This project addresses the lack of Alumni Engagement in the Communication Studies department at Cal Poly. It aims to cultivate a stronger department community by creating sustainable resources and events to deepen connections. We looked to answer how targeted alumni outreach could strengthen the department and what benefits this would bring to current students, faculty, and alumni. To do this, our group organized an Alumni Panel event, created a contact list, implemented student alumni liaison positions, solicited donations for the COMS spring social, and worked on the department website and social media. By applying research on communication theories, we were …

Automation Of Post Fermentation Must Removal, Grace Hurley, Jakob Spink, Ariel Metscher

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The Harvest Haulers project addresses a critical operational inefficiency at Saucelito Canyon Winery, where post-fermentation must removal from wine barrels was labor-intensive and potentially hazardous. This project aimed to develop a custom forklift attachment that could securely handle Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels, streamline the dumping process, and improve worker safety.

The resulting solution is a forklift-compatible fixture designed to lift, secure, and tilt barrels using a robust combination of a modified aluminum pallet, padded hoop, ratchet straps, and a custom hinge mechanism. The design meets all engineering requirements, including a 600 lb. load capacity, 135° tilt, and a single-operator setup …

Langlands Reciprocity And The Splitting Behavior Of Primes In Number Fields, Skip E. Moses

Master's Theses

This thesis explores the evolution of reciprocity laws in number theory in order to provide a conceptual bridge between the classical ideas of quadratic reciprocity and the modern framework of the Langlands program. We develop the necessary algebraic background to understand how the splitting behavior of primes in number fields reflects deep arithmetic structure in ℚ. Starting with quadratic fields and cyclotomic extensions, we motivate the development of the Kronecker–Weber theorem and the characterization of abelian extensions of ℚ. We then introduce Artin reciprocity and show how it generalizes quadratic reciprocity through the formalism of Frobenius elements and Artin L-functions. …

Building Confidence, Building Careers: An Industry-Informed Evaluation Of A High School Aec Camp, Madisen Berube

Construction Management

This study assesses the effectiveness of the Girls Build Summer Academy, an architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) summer camp for high school girls, and similar programs by gathering and analyzing feedback from industry professionals. The research aims to identify which program elements most successfully inspire interest and build foundational skills for young women considering careers in architecture, engineering, and construction. An anonymous survey was distributed to AEC professionals, some who were familiar with the program. The survey included multiple choice, rankings, and open-ended questions to evaluate areas for improvement and future curriculum development. Findings revealed strong support for interactive learning …

Shipping Container Library Project: Preconstruction Strategy And Planning, Chris Lochner

Construction Management

This report outlines the preconstruction planning phase for the development of a shipping container library to be deployed to a community in Sub-Saharan Africa. The library is designed as a modular and sustainable solution for delivering access to educational resources. Preconstruction efforts have focused on finalizing design documentation, procurement planning, trade coordination, permitting considerations, and site logistics. While no construction has begun, two 40-foot high-cube containers have been ordered—one for prototyping and one for shipment. One container is currently staged at Tilden-Coil Constructors’ yard in Riverside, California, and the project is approaching the procurement and mobilization phase. All tracking of …

Evaluating The Barriers To Virtual And Augmented Reality Adoption In The Construction Industry, Hayden C. Werts

Construction Management

Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies have demonstrated the ability to enhance design coordination, safety training, and field accuracy in the construction industry; however, their utilization remains limited. This study examines and assesses the gap between the capabilities of VR/AR and their actual implementation in the construction industry, utilizing a literature review and an analytical survey of 52 construction professionals. Survey results revealed that only 27% of construction managers have utilized VR/AR in their careers, although those with experience in these technologies rated them highly for their ability to reduce errors and improve coordination. Key barriers to adoption included high …

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 …

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 …

Concrete Patio Demolition And Construction, Tyler Nielsen

Construction Management

A 6.25 cubic yard unreinforced concrete patio was constructed for the non-profit organization. This project included three phases: concrete slab demolition, grading and formwork, and concrete pouring. Each phase was estimated and then received owner approval prior to execution. The demolition phase involved obtaining city permits for a roll-off container for debris removal. This phase also included two days of work with over 10 demolition crew members, who were given the required training and equipment to ensure safety and productivity. The following weeks included grading and setting up formwork. Once the grade was complete, the formwork was laid out and …

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 …

Farm Furniture - City Farm Slo, Aiden Blackburn, Antonio Nunez

Construction Management

Our senior project was to build 4 picnic tables, 6 picnic benches, 2 vegetable tables, and 1 hexagon shaped table for the City Farm SLO in San Luis Obispo, CA. We were grateful to help a local farm who focuses on education in the community and sustainable agricultural practices. We first estimated the project and created a preliminary schedule. This project lasted from mid-April to mid-June. The first step in the process was to estimate the cost and develop a preliminary schedule. The process for constructing the different build types was relatively similar: acquire materials, cut to size, assemble, sand, …

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 …

Construction Clothing Development Project, Reed A. Kellar, Noah R. Maytum

Construction Management

Relative to other industries, the construction market is slow to innovate. One clear example of this is in the clothing worn by its workers. Over the past 100 years, construction clothing and top brands have remained largely similar, even as workwear has begun marketing to larger, non-construction audiences. Construction clothing has become increasingly fashionable in popular culture, and we see this as an opportunity. To adapt to a modern world, this entrepreneurial project seeks to research which areas of construction clothing are lacking according to those in the industry and use this data to create a competitive product/brand that capitalizes …

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: Off-Grid Solutions For Navajo Families, Jordan Badgley

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is a service project executed by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students, Heart of America, and SOLV Energy to provide sustainable power solutions to Navajo families in need. Within the vast, remote landscapes of the Navajo Nation, over 32% of households lack electricity, creating significant challenges for daily life. The 2025 Skip the Grid trip marked Cal Poly’s fourth consecutive year partnering in this impactful initiative. An interdisciplinary team of 20 students from 6 different areas of study, work collaboratively, preparing for months to ensure a successful installation trip in Chinle, Arizona. Over the course of …

California Polytechnic Design-Build Lab Course, Nicho Domine

Construction Management

This paper explores the development and execution of a project-based Design-Build (DB) course implemented at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The course aimed to replicate real-world DB processes in a controlled academic setting, engaging Construction Management and Architecture students in simulated but immersive industry experience. From Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Final Presentation and Closeout, the course mirrors a typical DB project lifecycle. Through collaborative exercises, students gained exposure to roles and responsibilities, submittals, cost estimating, procurement strategies, risk analysis, virtual coordination, stakeholder communication, and more. This paper describes how a sequence of weekly assignments was structured to …

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 …

Preconstruction Services For Land Conservancy San Luis Obispo Deck Replacement, Russell Sprague

Construction Management

This senior project centers around a preconstruction collaboration between Semmes & Co. and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo (LCSLO) for a new deck at the Santa Rita Ranch house in Templeton, CA. The existing deck was in poor condition and not ADA compliant, prompting the need for a safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing replacement. This project supported the nonprofit by providing volunteer-based preconstruction services, including quantity takeoffs, a detailed material list, scope breakdown, labor estimates, scheduling, and logistics planning. Material options and scope variations were presented to LCSLO in a flexible pricing proposal using a Time and Materials …

2025 Annual V.E.S.T Hackathon: Renovating Safety Harnesses, Mason P. Chamberlin

Construction Management

This paper presents the organizational framework and logistical planning involved in executing the 2025 Verifying Everyone’s Safety Together (V.E.S.T.) Hackathon, an annual innovation workshop hosted by the Construction Management Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The event brings together students, faculty, and industry professionals to reimagine and redesign common construction equipment with a focus on safety, usability, comfort, and inclusivity across diverse user profiles. The 2025 hackathon, held April 15–16, concentrated on safety harnesses, an essential component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. Participants engaged in the two-day event that included conceptualization, prototyping, and …

Assessment Of Mental Wellbeing Programs In The Construction Industry, Evan James Olszak

Construction Management

Mental health problems are very prevalent within the construction industry, and there is not enough attention put towards the mental wellbeing of employees in the industry. The construction industry is ranked #2 for deaths by suicide, and #1 when mining and extraction are included (CDC, 2021). Previous research has been done to understand the severity of the issue, and some programs have been started to spread awareness and train employees. The issue arises in a lack of analysis of these programs. The programs that are being used are still in their infancy and require a comprehensive review to understand the …

Plumbing System Design For Gateway Decathlon, Philip Soo

Construction Management

This senior project focuses on the development of a Sustainable and Efficient Plumbing System for the Gateway Decathlon Modular Housing Unit, a Mass Timber construction. As part of an Integrated Project Design delivery, this project involves a collaborative effort among students from various disciplines, including construction management, architecture, and engineering. Over the past year, teams of students have collaborated to develop architectural drawings, including floor plans, elevations, and system layouts. This project includes the careful selection of plumbing fixtures that align with the performance and sustainability goals of the modular housing unit. In addition, the materials were chosen based on …

Skip The Grid: Solar Installation For Navajo Communities, Emilio Tiziano Cervantes

Construction Management

In March 2025, a group of 20 students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo took part in Skip the Grid, a hands-on service initiative aimed at expanding access to reliable solar energy in the Navajo Nation. In partnership with SOLV Energy, NextTracker, and the non-profit Heart of America, the team traveled to Chinle, Arizona, where they installed off-grid solar systems in 40 homes across the Chinle School District. Each setup included solar panels, a battery with electrical outlets, lighting, and a refrigerator—providing essential power to families whose homes were previously without it. All of the households served kids …

Factors And Their Contribution To The Varying Levels Of User Engagement Across Different Social Media Platforms, Kylianna Ruth Wulf

Journalism

Think back to this morning. Do you recall scrolling on your phone switching between different social media platforms? Do you remember what exactly you watched? Could you list a few of those Instagram reels or what you saw on your for you page. Probably not? And that is because the average person is unable to recall that information. Today is May 29, 2025 and everyone has social media and uses it to some extent. How does one divide their time between each app? This paper will go into detail to answer the question, “ What factors contribute to the varying …

Underground Lrt Station, Revital Mesika

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report presents a comprehensive fire safety and evacuation systems analysis for the underground light rail terminal station project. The station features two main levels— concourse and platform—and is strategically located adjacent to a sports stadium.

Station Overview: The underground light rail terminal station is a two-level facility strategically positioned adjacent to a major sports stadium. The station operates as a critical transportation hub with distinct functional zones designed for efficient passenger flow and emergency evacuation:

Concourse Level (3.5 meters below ground): Functions as the primary passenger processing and circulation hub. This level serves as the main entry control point …

Genesis Station Fire Protection And Life Safety Analysis, Mark Anthony Bautista

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This fire protection and life safety analysis evaluates GENESIS Station, a nine-story Type I-B mixed-tenant building located in Daly City, California. The facility includes business, research laboratory, and assembly occupancies. A combination of prescriptive code compliance and performance-based analysis was applied to assess the building’s overall fire safety strategy.

The building utilizes a layered fire protection strategy that combines passive fire resistive construction with active systems. Fire rated construction separate tenant suites, limiting the spread of fire and smoke, defining hazardous materials control areas, and ensuring compliant separation of egress paths.

Active fire protection systems include a fully automatic sprinkler …

Srs Training Facility, Brandon Romero

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report presents a comprehensive fire protection and life safety analysis of the Savannah River Site (SRS) Training Center. A detailed prescriptive code analysis confirmed the building's compliance with applicable standards regarding construction features, occupancy classification, and fire-rated assemblies. Fire resistance provisions are met, with key areas such as exits, stairwells, and the records storage room. The building’s layout, height, number of stories, and floor area also comply with the allowable limits established by the IBC. Fire protection systems include a proprietary fire alarm system with voice notification, extensive smoke and heat detection coverage, and a wet-pipe sprinkler system designed …

Cryogenic Fuel Delivery System, Carter Josef, Reilly Humphreys, Joseph O'Connor, Nick Spreen

Mechanical Engineering

This project presents the design and validation of a cryogenic fuel delivery system aimed at enabling sustainable aviation through hydrogen fuel vaporization. Developed by a team of senior mechanical engineering students at Cal Poly and sponsored by Boeing, the system utilizes atmospheric air to vaporize liquid nitrogen, used as a stand-in for hydrogen, via forced convection heat exchangers, eliminating the need for engine-supplied heat and reducing parasitic loads. A feedback loop and turbine component are integrated to regulate pressure and recover energy, respectively. A benchtop prototype was built and tested to evaluate system performance, with results closely aligning with analytical …

Conversational Social Robot, Julianna M. Christopoulos, Mackenzie Goldman, Cece E. Hujanen, Jared Hunter

Mechanical Engineering

Background: Social robots are used in various settings to reduce burden on human workers and expand opportunities for people in need of assistance.

Challenge: Design a humanoid robot head and torso capable of holding conversations and interacting with a user using a LLM and motion. Conversations are limited to discussing Cal Poly resources and opportunities with visitors to the Bently Research Center on campus.

Scitechatorium, Olivia Lafferty, Yvonne Brien Miller, Colton Swinth, Savannah Pinheiro, Gage Heinze

Mechanical Engineering

Bellevue Santa-Fe Charter School (Bellevue) is a K6th grade public charter elementary school in Avila Beach, California. The primary focus at Bellevue is fostering unique learning experiences, empowering students through project-based learning, and engaging students in creative endeavors. Following these themes, the school has allocated space and funding for an on-campus science and technology museum known as the SciTechatorium. The museum is currently open during students’ lunch period, providing interactive displays on concepts in human biology, nature and wildlife, physics, and electronics. Bellevue’s K-6th grade science teacher, Christian Strauli, and Bellevue parent volunteers are primarily responsible for the museum’s upkeep …

Combustion Liner Optimization, William Weeks, Daniel Reed, Isaac Trull

Mechanical Engineering

Solar Turbines provides gas power generation solutions, focusing on gas turbine engines and compressors. The Gas Turbine Products Engineering (GTPE) team at Solar Turbines needs a way to efficiently and cost-effectively maintain the combustion liner of the Taurus model gas turbine at or below the cold-side temperature target. The current system involves a manufacturing process with ergonomic concerns and uncertain cooling effectiveness.

To address this, our team proposed a new combustion liner system featuring impingement cooling. We provided Solar Turbines with heat transfer models of both the existing and proposed designs, demonstrating improved cooling performance. Additionally, a prototype of the …