Digital Commons Network^™

Sprinter Start Block Training Aid, Kayla Lovejoy, Kevin Almontes

Biomedical Engineering

Currently, track and field sprinters ranging from beginner level to world-class have no practical tool that provides quantitative feedback of value on quality of start and quality of the three distinct phases of their sprint race, such that they can quantify the value of their adjustments. Our team will create a device that integrates with the sprint starting block to provide quantifiable data on the quality of a sprinter’s start. This Statement of Work describes drawbacks of current solutions, existing patents, customer requirements, engineering specifications, and our project plan.

Maglock - Electromagnetic Pedal Aid For Amputees, Minh Vo, Matthew Chew

Biomedical Engineering

For this project, we aimed to design components that could easily be swapped out and into vehicles, which would help them accomplish the task of locating and securing a prosthetic foot to a bike and/or car pedal. A common problem among cyclists and drivers with prosthetic legs is their foot slipping off the pedal while in use; these components could be used for other common applications such as cars, bikes, etc. Stakeholders for this product included automotive companies and handicap product distributors. The focused objective is to provide dexterity and quick attach/detach support for cyclists and drivers with lower limb …

Investigating The Benefits Of Utilizing Mass Timber In Construction, Eden Hitzke

Construction Management

Over the past decade, mass timber—an umbrella term for engineered wood products used as primary structural elements—has gained traction in the USA as a sustainable material for multistory buildings. Mass timber is a compelling alternative to steel and concrete due to its practical construction benefits, which were discovered through interviews with architects, engineers, and contractors. The interviews reveal advantages such as a streamlined construction process, reduced site disruption, and improved structural precision thanks to off-site manufacturing. Mass timber’s biophilic aspect improves indoor occupant satisfaction and market appeal. By documenting real-world experiences, the study highlights mass timber’s benefits due to its …

Vendor-Managed Inventory: A Case Study, Blake Elijah Hanson

Construction Management

This research project examines the effectiveness of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) within the context of electrical subcontracting, using a case study based on a recent summer internship at Cupertino Electric Inc (CEI). Employing qualitative research methods, including interviews with industry professionals and personal observations, the study identifies several key factors contributing to the success of VMI and pinpoints areas for improvement. It focuses on material organization, labeling, vendor coordination, and foreman involvement, assessing their impact on job site efficiency and operations. The findings reveal that while VMI helps streamline inventory management and reduce procurement workload, its full potential is often …

Investigating The Viability Of Voucher Payments As A Development Plan, John Stapakis

Construction Management

California currently has a shortage of affordable housing, and Housing Choice Vouchers, also known as Section 8 housing, are one state funded solution to it. However, even once those in need of affordable housing are approved for vouchers they can have trouble finding suitable housing at a fair market price due to stigmas associated with voucher renters. This project investigates whether developers and property managers can actually use the voucher programs to their advantage to make a profit, or if that stigma is warranted. Developers can design their units in a way that appeals to these renters, and then accept …

Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Workplan: Transportation Development, Jessie A. Santos

Construction Management

This paper outlines a detailed work plan for the transportation logistics of pre-packaged modular home components, developed for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's participation in the 2026 Gateway Decathlon competition. The project focuses on the safe and efficient transport of mass timber panels and associated modular elements from the university campus in California to the competition site in Missouri, utilizing standard packaging procedures. This document details a comprehensive strategy for loading and securing the pre-packaged components, emphasizing a systematic approach to mitigate potential risks during transit. Key aspects of the work plan include a thorough material checklist, a breakdown of …

Comparing The Work-Life Balance And Stress At General Contractors And Cm Agencies, Lucca A. Arcolino

Construction Management

The struggle for a work-life balance has become a significant issue in the construction industry, resulting in personal and organizational challenges. This paper will compare work-life balance and stress between industry professionals working at a CM agency and those at a general contractor. A CM agency is responsible for overseeing the construction project alongside the owner by providing planning, cost estimation, scheduling, and quality assurance. In contrast, the general contractor is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations on-site. A survey was distributed to both types of construction firms to collect data about work hours, work-life balance, stress, and biggest stressors. …

Assessing Experiences Of Women In Mep Field And Project Management Roles, Lily K. Brown

Construction Management

Despite increased enrollment of women in construction education programs, the industry is not seeing significant gains in the percentages of women, especially in field and project management roles. This study looks specifically at the experiences of women in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) sector working in field and project management. Women in different career stages were interviewed to gain perspective on the state and climate of the industry from a woman’s perspective. The interviews were analyzed for recurring themes and three primary themes that emerged were: 1) women see themselves as able to bring about better team synthesis than …

Early Mechanical Coordination For Gateway Decathlon, Benjamin Nunes-Dyer

Construction Management

This senior project focuses on finding an efficient mechanical system for the Gateway Decathlon prefabricated house unit. As a collective group, students working on the project decided to focus on using mass timber for the construction of the housing unit. Over the past year, the layout and design of the housing unit has been in the planning stage. Once drawings were made, the next step was to focus on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system. Research and professional help allowed for a team of students to come together and design these systems. Choosing the equipment for the mechanical system was …

Analyzing Steel Supply Chain Factors With Analytic Hierarchy Process, Edilberto Urena Jr

Construction Management

The global steel supply chain is a critical component of construction and manufacturing industries. It is a fundamental pillar supporting infrastructure development, economic growth, and technological innovation. However, disruptions in supply, price volatility, and logistical challenges necessitate an in-depth evaluation of key factors affecting the steel supply chain. These uncertainties can pose significant risks to project timelines, cost efficiency and sustainability. This study employes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making approach to systematically rank and prioritize factors influencing the supply chain. A literature review identified critical variables, which are then structured into a hierarchical model after the opinion …

Case Study: Cal Poly Housing Program (Cphp) - Student Housing Project At California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Aidan Michael Toole

Construction Management

Full volumetric modular construction is a building technique that involves the off-site prefabrication of three-dimensional modular units, which are later transported and assembled on-site. California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and general contractor, Whiting-Turner, are building new on-campus student housing by utilizing full volumetric modular construction techniques. The buildings will be produced in modules that, when put together, reflect the identical design and intent of a site-built building. This paper will analyze the effectiveness of modular construction on a large-scale project and look at the project cost, schedule, and waste impacts from choosing this approach. The main driver …

Augmented Reality In Construction, Brendan Trinh

Construction Management

This research focuses on how augmented reality (AR) technology could assist construction projects by increasing quality control, efficiency, and collaboration. AR tools, such as Revizto, overlay 3D models into real-world construction sites, allowing the project teams to test installations and discover issues before they occur. This study aims to determine how AR affects project costs, the construction schedule, and quality. To further understand this, interviews were conducted with McCarthy Builders' Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) employees. They discussed their experiences with AR on active job sites, including its benefits, limitations, and potential improvements. Studies from an internship with McCarthy Builders …

Asphalt Rubber Chip Seals A Cost Effective And Sustainable Solution For Road Infrastructure, Gunnar C. Bertsch

Construction Management

Asphalt Rubber Chip Seals provide a durable, cost effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paving methods by incorporating recycled waste tires. This study evaluates Asphalt Rubber Chip Seals implementation in Arizona and Michigan comparing its effectiveness to conventional paving approaches and the current applications in California. Variations in state funding for road maintenance significantly impact infrastructure quality and longevity, influencing the choice of paving solutions. ARCS has demonstrated resilience in extreme weather conditions, making it a viable option for expansion to states like Arizona and Michigan, where climate variations pose challenges for pavement longevity. The research assesses construction costs, …

Exploration Of Mental Health Stressors And Proposing Interventions Among Heavy-Civil Construction Workers, Enrrique Zarate

Construction Management

The mental health of heavy civil construction workers is an often-overlooked issue. Long hours, job insecurity, physically demanding work, and workplace culture contribute to significant stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges among workers in this industry. This research aimed to assess the mental health conditions of heavy civil construction workers, identify key stressors, and propose effective intervention strategies to improve overall well-being. Using a combination of surveys and interviews, this study gathered both quantitative and qualitative data to gain a comprehensive understanding of workers’ mental health. The surveys provided broad insights into common stressors and overall mental health of …

Cal Poly Construction Spanish Class, Josue E. Basilio

Construction Management

This project develops a Construction Spanish & Communication course for Cal Poly’s Construction Management program to address the growing need for bilingual communication on job sites. The course equips students with essential Spanish language skills for safety meetings, work instructions, and team coordination, improving job site efficiency and inclusivity. Deliverables include a detailed course outline in preparation for the semester conversion, curriculum, course catalog entry, and a first-day lecture presentation. The course blends lecture-based instruction with hands-on activities like role-playing, translation exercises, and real-world simulations. Assessments include scenario-based quizzes, a reflection essay, participation grading, and a final exam to ensure …

Development Of A Work Plan For The Mass Timber Installation Phase In The Gateway Decathlon, Eduardo Contreras

Construction Management

This project was the development of detailed work plan for the installation of mass timber components in the Gateway Decathlon project, which emphasizes sustainable construction practices aimed at reducing environmental impact. The work plan provides a step-by-step guide for the efficient and safe assembly of structural elements, covering the sequence of tasks, necessary materials and tools, safety procedures, and quality checks to ensure proper execution. By connecting theoretical design concepts with practical construction activities, the plan addresses various logistical challenges encountered during building phases. It highlights the advantages of using mass timber, such as reduced carbon emissions and reliance on …

The Utilization Of Ai To Improve Efficiency In Construction Management, Sam Balestreri

Construction Management

The construction industry is undergoing a technological transformation, with artificial intelligence emerging as a tool to enhance efficiency, communication, and decision-making. However, the industry has been slow to adopt these advancements due to challenges in integrating new technologies with traditional workflows. This research examines the potential of AI to improve construction management by automating processes such as submittal logs and scope of work documents. The study evaluates ProjectEngineer.ai, an AI-powered co-pilot, to determine its impact on workflow efficiency, writing enhancement and precision, and project outcomes. An analysis of AI-assisted document management methods was conducted in CM 411 Specialties Construction Management, …

Satisfaction And Retention Analysis Of A 4/10 Workweek In Construction, Daniel C. Choy

Construction Management

The traditional 40-hour workweek, structured as five 8-hour days (5/8), has been a long-standing standard in the American workforce since Henry Ford implemented it in 1922. However, in recent years, many industries, including construction, have begun reevaluating this model to determine whether alternative schedules could offer better efficiency and employee satisfaction. One of the most discussed alternatives is the four-day, 10-hour workweek (4/10). This research examines the potential advantages and challenges of adopting the 4/10 schedule, particularly for specialty contractors, through an employee survey conducted at Western Specialty Contractors in Seattle, Washington. The study explores how this schedule affects worker …

Bike Lane Improvement Proposal On Foothill Boulevard, Victor Wan

Construction Management

This project focuses on improving bike lane safety on Foothill Boulevard, a critical commuter route in San Luis Obispo. Outdated and unprotected lanes pose serious risks to cyclists due to high vehicle speeds, faded markings, and a lack of physical separation. This proposal introduces safety improvements, including steel bollards and armadillo humps for protection, high-visibility thermoplastic lane markings, and concrete refuge islands at key intersections. The study evaluates engineering challenges, material selection, installation methods, and cost implications to enhance cyclist safety and promote sustainable transportation.

Effect Of Wall Assemblies On Wi-Fi 6e Signal Strength, Connor C. Borges

Construction Management

This project investigates the signal strength of Wi-Fi signals through different wall assemblies under the new Wi-Fi 6E standard. The project focuses on measuring the signal strength (-dBm) at three distinct frequencies, 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz. The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies serve as a baseline for comparison with the emerging 6E standard. Wi-Fi 6E offers much higher speeds at the cost of high signal attenuation. The primary objective is to analyze how different construction materials impact Wi-Fi signal strength and to provide comprehensive data on wall assembly attenuation. Wi-Fi 6E signals experience significantly greater attenuation …

Exploring Female-Centered Storytelling Techniques In Travel Podcasting With 'Chicks Take Flight', Layla M. Bakhshandeh

Journalism

The following study explores storytelling through the lens of podcasting to effectively engage audiences. This study addresses the gap in academic literature regarding gender-specific audio storytelling techniques by analyzing how narrative structure, vocal delivery, and content authenticity in podcasts specifically resonate with female audiences, providing practical applications for podcast creators targeting this demographic. Accompanying this literary research is a travel podcast titled Chicks Take Flight. This entertainment podcast tells the stories of young women’s travel experiences. Its goal is to provide a platform to discuss modern travel tips and stories for female audiences. Utilizing the podcasting advice from research findings …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 2/25/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

The Integration Of Entrepreneurial Marketing Processes And Controls, Stern Neill, Li Dang

Marketing

Purpose

This study aims to explore the evolving relationship between entrepreneurial marketing (EM) processes and control mechanisms across three phases of opportunity development: exploration, evaluation and exploitation. By examining how control mechanisms respond to the uncertainties inherent in each phase, this research illustrates how controls emerge and adapt, enabling entrepreneurs to effectively navigate the challenges specific to each stage of their venture’s growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative, inductive approach, this study uses semistructured interviews with founders of nine high-growth, early-stage startups based in California. The selected ventures vary by industry and business model but share early market traction. The Gioia …

2023/2024 Robert E. Kennedy Library Annual Report, Robert E. Kennedy Library

Library Publications and Administrative Reports

This past year presented unique challenges as we continued to navigate the changes brought by the Kennedy Library Transformation Project. We successfully relocated our collections and services to temporary locations, to accommodate the massive work to renovate our 44-year-old building. While this transition brought about changes in our physical space, it underscored the unwavering dedication and adaptability of our staff and the resilience of our library community. This annual report highlights the innovative ways we continue to serve our students and faculty throughout the transformation. As you turn the pages of the report, you’ll learn about:

• Unwavering Support for Learning …

From Football To Construction: Transferring Leadership Competencies For The Era Of Construction 4.0, Payson W. Campisano

Construction Management

This study aims to explore the intersection of leadership competencies developed through football and their applicability to the construction industry, with a focus placed on the emerging leadership needs in Construction 4.0. Drawing on insights from interviews with current and former student-athletes who study or studied construction management at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, the research highlights the transferability of key leadership qualities from football, such as resilience, teamwork, and critical thinking, to the cognitive, interpersonal, business, and strategic domains of leadership within construction management. Building on the work of Yang, Sunindijo, and Wang (2020), who …

As-985-25 Resolution On Adoption Of Revisions On The Change Of Major Policy In Preparation For Semester Conversion, Academic Senate Instruction Committee, University Advising: Collaborative Advising For Student Success Group, Change Of Major Work Group

Academic Senate Resolutions

Resolves that the Academic Senate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo supports the adoption of the attached semester Change of Major Policy; and further resolves to assure effective, equitable and consistent implementation of the semester Change of Major Policy, the Academic Senate recommends that a semester Change of Major Policy orientation/training module be created for all faculty and staff who currently advise or are directly involved with the Change of Major Inquiry and/or ICMA creation and approval process, and to have a system in place to orient and train faculty and staff who are new to the Change …

Executive Committee - Agenda, 1/28/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 1/23/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 1/7/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Two Decades Of Change: Evolving Costs Of Regulatory Compliance In The Produce Industry, Lynn Hamilton, Michael Mccullough

Agribusiness

Rising costs of regulation are an increasing concern for California growers. An initial study of regulatory costs in California agriculture was conducted in 2006, as means to compare California’s regulatory environment to other competing states. Industry groups in the Salinas Valley contacted Cal Poly to update the original study in 2018 as new state and federal laws imposed significantly higher regulatory burdens on growers, specifically with respect to food safety, water quality, labor wages, air quality and worker health and safety. This report updates the previous case study to reflect the 2024 regulatory environment for California growers, and provides a …