Digital Commons Network^™

A Proposal For An Adu Incentive Program For The City Of Mill Valley, Emi D. Sugiyama

City and Regional Planning

The development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is an important option for responding to increases in housing demand, increasing the diversity in housing options, broadening the range of space available, addressing varied financial needs, and increasing density.

Evaluation Of Tensile Properties For Selective Laser Melted 316l Stainless Steel And The Influence Of Inherent Process Features, Paul Swartz

Master's Theses

Optimal print parameters for additively manufacturing 316L stainless steel using selective laser melting (SLM) at Cal Poly had previously been identified. In order to further support the viability of the current settings, tensile material characteristics were needed. Furthermore, reliable performance of the as-printed material had to be demonstrated. Any influence on the static performance of parts in the as-printed condition inherent to the SLM manufacturing process itself needed to be identified. Tensile testing was conducted to determine the properties of material in the as-printed condition. So as to have confidence in the experimental results, other investigations were also conducted to …

Leaf Functional Traits As Predictors Of Drought Tolerance In Urban Trees, Sophia Huang

Master's Theses

The services that urban trees provide to human society and the natural environment are widely recognized, but urban trees are in jeopardy due to climate change and urban stressors. With drought as a major threat in many areas, it is important for the future of urban forestry to select species composition based upon performance under water stress. Certain leaf functional traits can help horticulturalists more accurately predict water usage of urban trees. Comprehension through rigorous experimentation is lacking, partly due to the thousands of mostly exotic species. Previous studies suggest that species whose leaves have a denser arrangement of smaller …

The Development Of Diving Capabilities In Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes Weddellii) Pups Throughout Early Ontogeny, Emma Weitzner

Master's Theses

Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) are among the deepest diving pinnipeds (i.e., seals, sea lions, and walrus) and one of the best studied marine mammals in the world; as such, these seals are considered a model species for the study of diving physiology and behavior. Adult Weddell seal dive physiology is rather comprehensively understood, yet previous research has excluded an examination of pups’ initial independent diving attempts, beginning instead with the diving capabilities of near-weaning individuals at four to five weeks of age. This is beyond the point many pups have attempted their first independent dives; pups begin to …

Simulating Epidemics And Interventions On High Resolution Social Networks, Christopher E. Siu

Master's Theses

Mathematical models of disease spreading are a key factor of ensuring that we are prepared to deal with the next epidemic. They allow us to predict how an infection will spread throughout a population, thereby allowing us to make intelligent choices when attempting to contain the disease. Whether due to a lack of empirical data, a lack of computational power, a lack of biological understanding, or some combination thereof, traditional models must make sweeping assumptions about the behavior of a population during an epidemic.

In this thesis, we implement granular epidemic simulations using a rich social network constructed from real-world …

Colloid Thruster To Teach Advance Electric Propulsion Techniques To Post-Secondary Students, Alexander M. Powaser

Master's Theses

Colloid thrusters, and electrospray thrusters as a whole, have been around since the 1960s. When they were first developed, the high efficiency and fine thrust control was overshadowed by the high power requirement for such a low thrust that the system provides. This caused the technology to be put on hold for aerospace applications. Now, as small satellites are becoming more prevalent, there has been a resurgence in interest in electrospray thruster technology. The recent advancements in tech- nology allow electrospray thrusters to use significantly less power and occupy less volume than their predecessors. As electrospray technology continues to advance, …

An Analysis Of Changes In Stream Temperature Due To Forest Harvest Practices Using Dhsvm-Rbm, Julia B. Ridgeway

Master's Theses

Forest harvesting has been shown to cause various changes in water quantity and water quality parameters, highlighting the need for comprehensive forest practice rules. Studies show a myriad of impacts to ecosystems as a result of watershed level changes, such as forest harvesting. Being able to better understand the impact that forest harvesting can have on stream temperature is especially critical in locations where federally threatened or endangered fish species are located. The overall goal of this research project is to assess responses in stream temperature to various riparian and forest harvest treatments in a maritime, mountainous environment. The results …

Degradation Of Emerging Contaminants By Advanced Oxidation Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes And Continuous Ozone Injection, Emily N. Miller

Master's Theses

With a growing population and continuous accumulation of pollutants, water resources worldwide are quickly being depleted. Drastic improvements need to be made in both water conservation and treatment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been developed to go above and beyond the capabilities of traditional wastewater treatment facilities to eliminate emerging contaminants from our water systems. AOPs increase the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) in oxidation reactions, which are less selective and more reactive than other oxidants, such as ozone, so they are more effective at degrading persistent compounds. This study explored an AOP that utilizes ozonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) …

Compact Farms: A Step Towards Sustainability, Chad A. Porter

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This project report accounts for the potential benefits compact farms can have for agriculture and sustainability. The report details the design, implementation, and management of Whistle Stop Farm, a 1-acre, diverse farm producing vegetables, fruits, and gourmet mushrooms for direct markets in Atascadero, California. The farm focuses on economic and environmental sustainability. A large part of the farm revolves around soil science and how to manage soils to promote a healthy soil ecosystem.

Bihongora Library And Community Center, Nicholas M. Dekker, Elyssa L. Adams

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Mòn Briyè Primary School Journeyman International, Leah E. George, Devin R. Williams

Architectural Engineering

Journeyman International (JI) is a non-profit organization that pairs emerging professionals in the architectural, structural engineering, and construction management industries with humanitarian projects in underdeveloped countries overseeing the design and construction process. The Mòn Briyè Primary School is a JI project led and funded by The 610 Project, an Alabama-based non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainable success of developing Haitian communities through education. This primary school will be located in Mornes Brieux, Haiti and consists of three buildings: one classroom building for first to fourth grade, one classroom building for fifth to eighth grades, and one building for administration. The …

Brain Tumor Classification Using Hit-Or-Miss Capsule Layers, Spencer J. Chang

Master's Theses

The job of classifying or annotating brain tumors from MRI images can be time-consuming and difficult, even for radiologists. To increase the survival chances of a patient, medical practitioners desire a means for quick and accurate diagnosis. While datasets like CIFAR, ImageNet, and SVHN have tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions of samples, an MRI dataset may not have the same luxury of receiving accurate labels for each image containing a tumor. This work covers three models that classify brain tumors using a combination of convolutional neural networks and of the concept of capsule layers. Each network utilizes …

Understanding Trauma And Victimization In Women's Incarceration: California's Treatment Response, Marissa Tuttle-Roache

Social Sciences

The purpose of this review is to provide an exploration of past research on women's pathways to incarceration, specifically discussing how this problem affects California women. Using research from various case studies, both quantitative and qualitative, this review examines the correlation between life experiences and incarceration for women. California laws and policies that mitigate the impact incarceration has historically had on women will be discussed. This research provides a better understanding of the treatment needs of incarcerated women and the programs that could provide them with some positive resources to succeed post incarceration and avoid recidivism.

An Analysis On The Universalism-Relativism Debate, The Effects Of Ethnocentrism, And How These Theories Dictate Human Rights Around The World, Katherine J. Brouker

Communication Studies

This paper analyzes theories correlated with Human Rights and Intercultural Communication. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) entails thirty basic human rights that are intended to held by every living human. Universalist scholars believe that these are inalienable, regardless of certain cultural values that differ from societies around the world. Relativist scholars believe that there needs to be a respect for cultural practices, even if they are harmful to other people. A case study is performed to illustrate the positive and negatives to both theories. Ethnocentrism is then introduced, which is when people judge cultures and practices that are …

Effect Of Solder Joint Flux Residue On Medical Guide Wire Performance, Rebecca Lisberg, Enlly Bugarin Rodriguez

Materials Engineering

The effect of residual soldering flux on the mechanical properties of 304 stainless-steel core medical guide wires was analyzed. A soldering process joins the metallic components of the distal end of a medical guide wire product. Acidic soldering flux is used to prepare the surfaces of the metallic substrates. Manufacturing protocol utilizes an ultrasonic bath to remove excess flux from the soldered joints. Sample groups underwent different levels of cleaning: no cleaning, partial cleaning, and full ultrasonic bath cleaning to obtain varying residual flux levels. Experimental sample groups underwent corrosion acceleration in an environmental chamber at 37°C and 85% relative …

Making Sustainability Affordable In Parlier, Kyle Alexander Ferguson

City and Regional Planning

As climate change continues to threaten everyday life on Earth, humans from every corner of this planet struggle to keep up with changes due access, attitudes, and most importantly affordability. Over the past decade, governments around the world have invested billions into renewable power. Private investors followed, hoping to cash in on what looked like a transformational shift in the way the world produced electricity and lived sustainability. It felt as though it was a way to add jobs, manage fossil-fuel prices, and curb the impending affects of global warming. Unfortunately, a sustainable world will not happen overnight and requires …

Carousel Mall Redevelopment, Marissa E. Tietz

City and Regional Planning

The purpose of this project is to design a successful plan for the redevelopment of Carousel Mall in San Bernardino, California. In order for this project’s outcome to be successful, there are several aspects that need to be considered. Since Carousel Mall is an abandoned mall it is essential that we understand how it got to that place. To best gain that understanding, the first chapter of this project will look at the history of mall form and how it shaped the malls we know today. This chapter will also help understand why malls in America began falling and how …

Creando Cultura A Través De La Comida: Un Cuento De La Perseverancia Y El Ingenio Cubano, Gabriel Hatcher

World Languages and Cultures

This project analyzes the cultural impacts of Cuban culinary history starting with the 16th-century Spanish colonization. Cuba is an incredible case example for culinary adaptations due to its tumultuous history of population demographic shifts, political uprisings, and economic downturns. I will begin by analyzing the culinary shifts brought about the importation of African and Asian workers associated with the sugar cane industry. I then discuss the impact of the fall of the Batista government and the rise of the Cuban Revolutionary government. The Revolutionary government brought about standardization of available ingredients and helped popularize specific Cuban dishes until the fall …

Radish: A Cross Platform Meal Prepping App For Beginner Weightlifters, Spoorthy S. Vemula, Tanay Gottigundala, Cory Baxes

Computer Science and Software Engineering

With the increasing ease of access and decreasing price of most food, obesity rates in the developing world have risen dramatically in recent years. As of March 23rd, 2019, obesity rates had reached 39.6%, a 6% increase in just 8 years. Research has shown that people with obesity have a significantly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, among other life-threatening diseases. In addition, 42% of people who begin weightlifting quit because it’s too difficult to follow a diet or workout regimen.

We created Radish in an attempt to tackle these problems. Radish makes it …

Workflow For Modeling Prefabricated Building Assemblies In Autodesk Revit, Matthew Truss

Construction Management

In 2008, by request of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Research Council† (NRC) put together a committee of experts to advise a plan that would advance the “competitiveness and productivity of U.S. construction industry in the next 20 years.” Two of those recommendations included the widespread deployment of building information modeling (BIM) and greater use of prefabrication, preassembly, modularization, and off-site fabrication techniques. Case studies on the subject overwhelmingly report faster project delivery, improved quality, and safer working conditions. However, current data indicates that labor productivity has still been significantly lacking, perhaps showing that investment …

The Renovation Of The Shops At Hilltop Into A "Mall Of The Future", Emma Rae Steenvoorde

Construction Management

Shopping centers are closing all over the United States due to the rise of ecommerce. The shopping experience is shifting and turning shopping centers into dining, leisure, and entertainment spaces. Owners of shopping centers are being forced to reinvent to stay relevant during this change. This paper will examine The Shops at Hilltop, a shopping center in the East Bay that was foreclosed upon and purchased by LBG Real Estate companies to be reinvented into a mixed-use regional hub. It will outline the background of the shopping center and the steps it took on deciding if it was worth the …

Joy Playground Project, Atascadero California, Nick Vollucci

Construction Management

Parents for Joy is a group of parents and families of children with special needs in and around the small town of Atascadero, California. The group is working on designing and building a playground that accommodates the needs of their loved ones. This playground will have features that are accessible to people of all degrees of mobility and agility, and that promotes safety and inclusivity.Mission Statement: On their website, Parents for Joy provides the following mission statement: “Parents For Joy is a group of parents, families, and friends living in and around the small town of Atascadero, who have children …

Advanced Concrete Course For Cal Poly Construction Management Department, Dante N. Feliciano

Construction Management

This senior project provides a solution to the Construction Management Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo whose curriculum lacks an individual Concrete course. With Concrete being one of the most used building material worldwide, this course will help immensely. The goal of this project is to fill the gap with an Advanced Concrete Course that is prepared and ready to be introduced to future students. The course has an emphasis on outside research learning – where the student gets to become the instructor. Carefully thought out and executed lecture materials are included in the course. Lecture slides give background …

Ciob Global Student Challenge – Evaluation Of Virtual And International Competitions Aimed At The Construction Management Curriculum, Nicklaus Bryce Wilcots

Construction Management

Each year the Chartered Institute of Building hosts a six-week virtual competition called the Global Student Challenge. Three Cal Poly Construction Management students and myself competed in this competition. This challenge was an international competition that gave students the ability to manage their own construction company. This competition is the gateway to enhancing higher-level education through academic competitions. Students competitions, such as the ASC competitions, have been shown to improve academic success as Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing methodology is utilized. However, the largest flaw with academic competitions is the negative impact on classes outside of construction management. The purpose …

Confronting Retainage And Its Disruptive Effects On The Business Practices Of Commercial Concrete Subcontractors, Arlen Karl Hartoonian

Construction Management

This paper aims to explore the extent of the damage that retainage is capable of inflicting on the financial health of commercial concrete subcontractors and strategies which can be utilized to mitigate or avoid damage to their financial health. The methodology implemented to conduct this exploration is a series of interviews with commercial concrete subcontractors. An analysis of these interviews in conjunction with a thorough literature review demonstrates that retainage does indeed impact financial health of commercial concrete subcontractor though the scale of the operation does make a difference in the severity of this impact. Whether or not the construction …

Zero Emission Zero Waste Construction Sites In California Commercial Construction: A Case Study, Joseph E. Anderson

Construction Management

Zero emission refers to the absence of waste products that pollute the environment or disrupt the climate from any engine, motor, process, or other energy source systems. CO2 emissions through equipment and machinery, along with toxic chemicals, carcinogens, ash and dust are founded most common in the Construction Industry. Although these findings may not raise an eyebrow, it is quite overlooked, and the numerical data is staggering. Zero waste is also examined in this paper—the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, recovery of products and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, …

A Case Study On The Ciob Global Student Challenge - Project Overview, Jacob Ryan Navarre

Construction Management

An international construction competition called the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Global Student Challenge has been introduced recently and is starting to gain attention in the United States. The competition is based on the utilization of a virtual construction simulation program called MERIT. Virtual construction simulations have been around for decades, yet, are still somewhat new to the construction industry and construction education programs. This past year, a group of California Polytechnic State University students studying Construction Management participated in the competition as the university’s first ever team. This paper will examine the competition as a whole, providing details on …

Integration Of Digital Forms For Improved Safety And Quality Control: A Case Study, Andrew Cisterman

Construction Management

The integration of new technology into the construction industry is commonly practiced in an attempt to improve standards and quality. iAuditor is an inspection checklist app which provides clients with the tools to build custom and dynamic forms to fit the needs of its client base. This paper examines the effectiveness of integrating this new software and observe the difficulties of integrating such new practices into a company’s safety and quality control programs. Additionally, this paper evaluates ways the aforementioned software could be improved to better meet the needs of its users as well as assess ways it could be …

Introduction To Construction Tools And Equipment Course Concept, Jason Kenneth Wahlund

Construction Management

The current Cal Poly Construction Management curriculum covers nearly all areas of the construction industry with a wide range of materials along with how, where and why they are used. However, no class is specifically geared towards educating students to learn about the tools and equipment that are required to complete most of the jobs in these industries. By offering a technical elective course that allows students to not only visualize but recognize what tools and pieces of equipment are most effective and acceptable for various applications, we can enable students to further understand issues of constructability and safety on …

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Bridge House Remodel Project, Severin B. Elste

Construction Management

The Bridge House, located in Poly Canyon, was originally constructed in 1968. Its original purpose served as a seismic activity lab for Architectural Engineering (ARCE) students. I joined a team of 4 ARCE students, making this an interdisciplinary project. There have been a few other groups who have tried to complete this project but have always fallen short. With the calculations and structural drawings provided by the ARCE students, we had a design and plan to fabricate the hand railings. We have completed 13 handrails, with four already installed on the structure by another group, that have now replaced the …