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 …

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 …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Caed Support Shop North Wall Project, Mateo Gonzalez

Construction Management

The CAED Support Shop North Wall Project was a student-led initiative aimed at reclaiming and enhancing valuable courtyard space within the CAED Support Shop. The existing wall, originally built to enclose a now-removed dumpster, had an irregular shape that disrupted the flow of the courtyard. With the dumpster gone, the wall no longer served a purpose and took up space that could be used by students. Our interdisciplinary team comprising of five Architectural Engineering students and one Construction Management student collaborated to plan, design, and constructing a new masonry wall that preserved the character of the original structure while improving …

Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona, Joshua Zepeda Montero

Construction Management

An interdisciplinary service-learning program called Skip the Grid provides solar energy systems to Navajo Nation homes without consistent access to electricity. A group of 20 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students from different majors that include Construction Management, Mechanical Engineers, Business, and Electrical Engineers traveled to Arizona from March 23rd to 27th, 2025, to install Goal Zero solar energy systems on over 40 homes from the Navajo Nation. This project was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of SOLV Energy, Heart of America (HOA), Goal Zero, Chinle High School, and Cal Poly. These solar systems help give …

Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach, Luke Sutherland

Construction Management

This paper presents the design and implementation of an augmented reality (AR) testing protocol developed to assess construction students' planning, sequencing, and real-time decision-making skills. Using Microsoft HoloLens, the simulation exposed students to realistic jobsite scenarios that required them to interpret plans, develop task sequences, and respond to evolving conditions in the field. The protocol was conducted with over 30 construction management students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and included three progressively complex scenarios focused on underground utilities, concrete formwork delays, and overhead MEP coordination issues. Data was captured through AR interaction logs, time tracking, instructor observation, …

A Circular Economy Framework For Reducing Construction Waste During The Design Process In Egyptian Architectural Design Firms, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Abeer Ahmed Kamel, Fatma Othman Alamoudy

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – Construction waste drivers, amplified by the linear economy model, contribute significantly to resource consumption and waste generation across various phases of the construction process. Recognizing the critical influence of the design process on these outcomes, this study aims to develop a framework integrating circular economy to reduce construction waste and promote sustainable practices during the design process within architectural design firms in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative and quantitative research approach was used to accomplish four objectives. A comprehensive literature review explored the concepts of construction waste, the design process, the circular economy and Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy …

A Timber Tradition: Pacific Northwest Architecture And The Role Of Local Wood Sourcing In Oregon, Kaleb Patrick Paiker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within the study of Portland’s architectural heritage, there is a deep connection to

materials local to the region. The use of these materials, combined with sensitive

architectural design, delineates a building as being from a place rather than an

imposition. The impetus to define the local wood architecture of Portland, Oregon led

me to an understanding that the health of the forest is predominant in design and

construction. I have found that environmental stewardship promotes a distinct typology

of architecture; one that can be recreated and derived from the same source—a tree.

Inferring from local wood sourcing, I have determined …

Performative Biomechanics : Evolving Buildings Into Inhabitable Organisms, Josh Lopez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

There has always been a connection between biology and architecture. Michael Pawlyn, in Biomimicry in Architecture, coined “biomechanical designs” to describe structural techniques derived from creatures. This study investigates chitin-based creatures. Crustaceans, insects, and microscopic organisms all have exoskeletons in nature. With a focus on crabs, other crustaceans and bugs, this study examines and evaluates the formal characteristics of chitin-based organisms. The architectural creations of OXMAN, NOX, which was founded by Lars Spuybroek; and Lebbeus Woods are among those that are analyzed and studied due to their inspiration from living things. They follow functional effectiveness in nature, which is why …

Assessing Student Satisfaction Using Courses Generated By Artificial Intelligence, Althaf Hussain Kallamadugu

All Theses

This research explores the effectiveness of using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated voice-over presentations as an alternative to traditional human-narrated lectures in online education. The study focuses on students preparing for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 exam for Commercial small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUASs). By comparing AI-generated lectures with human-narrated content, the research aims to assess the impact of AI on student satisfaction, engagement, and performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative analysis of exam scores and survey data with qualitative insights from student interviews. The methodology includes the creation of AI-generated voice-over presentations, survey distribution to both control …

Bim-Based Automated System For Carbon Emissions And Construction Costs Estimation (Bas-Cc) In Modular Design And Production, Roshan Bandiwadekar

All Theses

Modular construction adopts a manufacturing-like construction process, enhancing the management of embodied carbon emissions in production and construction phases. However, estimating these emissions presents challenges due to the involvement of diverse stakeholders across various lifecycle stages. Additionally, cost considerations often influence design choices and material selections in modular constructions, neglecting the impact of embodied carbon emissions. To address these challenges, we present a proof-of-concept for an automated Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based system to estimate both carbon emissions and construction costs. This system automates the calculation of embodied carbon and cost implications of different modular designs and materials, enabling informed decision-making. …

Circular Framework In The Design & Planning Phase Of Construction, Shreya Kanther

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

Executive Summary

The transition towards circular economy in the design and construction industry represents a transformative opportunity to align economic growth with environmental sustainability. This dissertation delves deeply into how circular strategies can be implemented within the construction sector, examining their potential to mitigate resource depletion and waste generation, while fostering innovation and efficiency. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical research, the study provides a robust understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with circular models and offers actionable insights for stakeholders navigating the shift from linear to circular economic practices.

The backdrop for this research lies in the unsustainable …

Crisis Response Hospital Physical Layout Considerations During Covid-19: A Framework For Surge Preparedness, Future Investigations, And Analysis, Golnoosh Abdolahzadeh

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis investigates the intersection of hospital design and operational performance during health emergencies, explicitly focusing on layout modifications in emergency departments. The study is structured around four key components. First, it explores hospitals' significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic through data collected from interviews with Nebraska hospital leaders. Second, the research introduces a surge-based conceptual framework to guide hospital responses during crisis events. Developed from empirical data, the framework highlights the importance of flexible spatial planning and information-driven decision-making. Third, the study focuses on hospital physical layout considerations, identifying features that either supported or hindered Nebraska hospital operations during …

The Importance Of Optimising Performance Within Retrofit Programmes, Seamus Harrington, Mark Mulville

Conference Papers

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan details a roadmap of measures that seek to achieve net-zero target carbon emissions by 2050. In this context, Ireland has introduced the National Retrofitting Scheme (NRS) which has set a goal of retrofitting c. 30% of existing dwellings to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 by 2030. The route to attaining this rating is dependent on the current specification and configuration of each individual property, therefore it can promote the adoption of retrofit techniques that achieve the required BER rating as opposed to focussing on optimisation of dwelling performance. The pre-cursor to the NRS was …

The Impact Of Visual Stimuli And The Properties Of Green Walls On Human Well-Being In Built And Immersive Virtual Environments, Alireza Sedghikhanshir

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The built environment significantly influences human well-being, particularly in the context of stress recovery and cognitive restoration. This dissertation investigates the impact of visual stimuli, particularly green walls, on human responses related to stress, restoration, and thermal comfort. The research is guided by three primary objectives: (1) examining the role of visual stimuli and their properties in promoting stress recovery and restoration, (2) evaluating the potential of Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) as tools for delivering and studying restorative environments, and (3) investigating the influence of green walls on indoor environmental conditions.

A series of experimental studies were carried out to …

Building Services Engineering March/April 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Framework For Integrating Industry Knowledge Into A Large Language Model To Assist Construction Cost Estimation, Prashnna Ghimire

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The construction industry generates a large amount of data across projects produced by digital devices, tools, and methods, and this volume is rapidly increasing. However, the industry lags behind in adopting data-driven technologies. On the other hand, the rapid advancement of generative AI (GenAI) in recent years, especially state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), shows great potential and has been increasingly adopted in many industries; however, the construction industry is behind in adoption. While academic studies have proposed various machine learning applications for construction, industry implementation has lagged due to a disconnect between these proof-of-concept developments and practical industry needs. Also, …

Icms3 Explainer Infographic, Conor Shaw, James O'Donnell

Tools

International standardisation is important for consistency in climate and financial governance. EU and Irish policy is moving to require Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Carbon Emissions (LCCE) reporting.

Green Building Information Modeling Framework For Sustainable Residential Development In Egypt, Mohamed Ahmed Nabawy Dr., Ahmed Gouda Mohamed, Ahmed Osama Daoud Dr.

Civil Engineering

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Green Building Information Modeling Framework for Sustainable Residential Development in Egypt

by Mohamed Nabawy *, Ahmed Gouda Mohamed , Israa Awad and Ahmed Osama Daoud * Construction Engineering and Management Programme, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, The British University in Egypt (BUE), El Sherouk City, Cairo 11837, Egypt * Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed. Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071035 Submission received: 20 January 2025 / Revised: 23 February 2025 / Accepted: 27 February 2025 / Published: 24 March 2025 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Building …

Production Of Alinite-Chlormayenite Clinker And Its Hydration Behavior With Increasing Gypsum Content, Marco Simoni, Aniruddha Baral, Zhili Ren, Tristana Y. Duvallet, Robert B. Jewell, Christiane Rößler, Theodore Hanein

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

An alternative low-energy alinite-chlormayenite clinker was produced and its hydration with different gypsum content was studied. The clinker was produced at 1225 ◦C using reagent-grade materials in an electric kiln with alinite, larnite, and chlormayenite content of 48, 24, and 16 wt%, respectively. The hydration kinetics of the clinker with different gypsum additions (0,10, 20, and 40 wt%) did not have a distinct induction period, and the hydration was faster than Portland cement. Alinite was in general more reactive than chlormayenite. In the presence of a limited amount of gypsum (10 and 20 wt%), alinite consumed gypsum to form ettringite …

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 …

Building Services Engineering January/February 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Bim-Intergrated Simulation Framework For Carbon Emission During Construction, Philip Cheffa

LSU Master's Theses

The construction sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, responsible for approximately 39% of energy-related emissions. This research introduces an innovative BIM-integrated simulation framework to estimate and manage carbon emissions during construction. Leveraging 4D Building Information Modeling (BIM), the study integrates critical dimensions of time, cost, and carbon emissions into a cohesive framework. A mathematical model was developed to quantify carbon emissions from construction activities, including equipment utilization and workforce energy consumption, with RSMeans data providing cost and productivity metrics.

The framework was validated through a case study that compared alternative work schedules utilizing different resources to evaluate …

Experimental And Analytical Study On Shear Bond Behaviour Of Lightweight Concrete Composite Deck Slab With Shear Connectors, Mohaned Mohy El-Deen Hassan, Khaled Abdullah Gharib, Hanan Hussain Altobgy

Journal of Engineering Research

This study investigates the bond strength between lightweight concrete and steel elements in composite deck slabs, with a focus on enhancing bond performance through the use of shear connectors. The primary objective was to improve the interface behavior between lightweight concrete and steel corrugated sheets by introducing shear connectors between the composite slab and supporting steel beams. Both experimental and analytical methods were employed. Experimentally, twelve lightweight concrete specimens were fabricated and divided into two groups: one without shear connectors and the other with shear connectors. Each group was further classified into specimens with long and short spans. These specimens …

Evaluating Energy Efficiency And Thermal Performance In Egypt’S Social Housing: Climate-Responsive Design And Material Impact In Hot Desert Environments, Ahmed M. Hanafi, Mohamed A. Moawed, Osama E. Abdullatif

Journal of Engineering Research

As Egypt's urban areas expand rapidly, the demand for energy-efficient, affordable housing in extreme hot desert climates has become increasingly urgent. This study investigates the energy efficiency and thermal performance of Egypt’s Social Housing Project, with a focus on residential building in New Aswan City, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 45°C. Employing a validated energy model, this research simulates annual energy consumption for the building, which comprises 24 residential units, each approximately 86 m². The model integrates realistic occupancy schedules, region-specific weather data, and common household behavior patterns to closely reflect actual energy usage. Findings indicate a high alignment between …

Education And Industry: The Balancing Act, Roy Vincent Byrne, Seamus Harrington

Other resources

Quantity Surveying students are required to study a vast spectrum of modules during their programme of study. Perhaps one of the most important taught modules on a Quantity Surveying programme and a core professional competency relates to building measurement. Many early stage quantity surveying students are introduced to building measurement via the concept of manual take-off which offers students a good grounding in the basic skills and good practices required to successfully measure a building project. However, manual measurement ultimately is no longer used in practice in any meaningful capacity and teaching it is a time-consuming process. The research explores …

Adaptation For Whom? Understanding The Impacts Of Dyke Policies On Small-Scale Farmers In Ca Mau Province Of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Low-lying deltas worldwide are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the risks of climate-induced flooding become increasingly clear, the thirst for infrastructure-driven adaptation increases. This highlights a patent need to understand the impacts of engineering adaptation solutions, especially those targeting built structures such as dykes and sluices, on farmers from a bottom-up, farmer-centred perspective. The study addresses this call by examining cases where dyke policies, while successful in some dimensions, have undermined small-scale farmer livelihoods in Ca Mau ― Vietnam’s southernmost rural province. It identifies areas in need of attention and adds empirical data related to this group of farmers. …

Understanding Roof Systems Of Metal Buildings, Michael W. Seek, Vincent E. Sagan

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] A metal building is a system with complex behavior that, when properly accounted for, provides an efficient structural solution. To help the engineer properly design for this behavior, the Metal Building Manufacturers (MBMA) has recently released the Roof Framing Design Guide for Metal Building Systems, 2nd Edition (Roof Framing Design Guide).

Developing Entrepreneurial Mindsets In Construction Management Through Experiential Projects, Dalya Ismael

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Entrepreneurial Minded Learning (EML), a framework supported by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), promotes critical thinking and innovation by encouraging students to explore real-world problems through the 3Cs: Curiosity, Creating Value, and Connections. In construction management education, the focus often remains on technical skills and project execution, neglecting the development of entrepreneurial skills like adaptability, value creation, and stakeholder engagement, leaving a gap in preparing students for the challenges of the industry. To bridge this gap, micro-moment activities were introduced prior to the main project to prime students for EML-based thinking. These short, focused exercises encouraged students to solve …

From Equitable Access To Equitable Usage: Moving Towards Data-Driven, Evidence-Based Cycling Assets Management, Kewei Ren, Yunping Liang, Chun-Hsing Ho

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Cycling is increasingly recognized for its wide range economic, environmental, and health benefits as a mobility option. However, disparities in the provision and the quality of bicycle infrastructure persists. Ensuring fair access and usage of these benefits for all presents a significant challenge. As a result, establishing effective methodologies to evaluate cycling equity is critically important. This paper synthesizes research on infrastructure asset management with a focus on equity considerations in bicycle infrastructure. A systematic review of 19 North American studies critically examines how existing research categorizes vulnerable populations and assesses fairness. The results reveal that most existing analyses focus …