Architecture Commons^™

Bc-Dunet-Based Segmentation Of Fine Cracks In Bridges Under A Complex Background, Tao Liu, Liangji Zhang, Guoxiong Zhou, Weiwei Cai, Chuang Cai, Liujun Li

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Crack is the external expression form of potential safety risks in bridge construction. Currently, automatic detection and segmentation of bridge cracks remains the top priority of civil engineers. With the development of image segmentation techniques based on convolutional neural networks, new opportunities emerge in bridge crack detection. Traditional bridge crack detection methods are vulnerable to complex background and small cracks, which is difficult to achieve effective segmentation. This study presents a bridge crack segmentation method based on a densely connected U-Net network (BC-DUnet) with a background elimination module and cross-attention mechanism. First, a dense connected feature extraction model (DCFEM) integrating …

Spatiotemporal Analysis Of Urban Road Congestion During And Post Covid-19 Pandemic In Shanghai, China, Pengfei Xu, Weifeng Li, Xianbiao Hu, Hangbin Wu, Jian Li

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the most serious global health crises in decades and tremendously influence the human mobility. Many residents changed their travel behavior during and after the pandemic, especially for a certain percentage of public transport users who chose to drive their owned vehicles. Thus, urban roadway congestion has been getting worse, and the spatiotemporal congestion patterns has changed significantly. Understanding spatiotemporal heterogeneity of urban roadway congestion during and post the pandemic is essential for mobility management. In this study, an analytical framework was proposed to investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of urban roadway congestion in …

A Case Study Of Community-Engaged Design: Creating Parametric Insurance To Meet The Safety Needs Of Fisherfolk In The Caribbean, Daniel B. Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The creation of the Caribbean Ocean and Aquaculture Sustainability faciliTy (COAST) is used as a case study of community-engaged design addressing safety needs. COAST is a parametric insurance product, sold to national governments, which was designed to meet the food and nutrition security of small- and medium-scale fisherfolk. The design of COAST is an example of convergence research, where the discipline of engineering was integrated with another discipline to solve pressing societal needs of Caribbean fisherfolk. This case study demonstrates that community-engaged design helps to (1) identify and include historically underrepresented stakeholders, (2) emphasize the importance of professional responsibility for …

Kemar Hats Head Orientation Directivity, Samuel D. Bellows, Timothy W. Leishman

Directivity

This directivity data set for a KEMAR head head-and-torso simulator (HATS) includes head orientations in 14 directions in 5° steps starting from 0° to 40° and then in 10° steps from 40° to 90°. The full spherical measurements followed at an a = 0.97 m radius with the mouth aperture at the spherical center. The sampling density and distribution followed the AES 5° dual-equiangular sampling standard, omitting the south pole (θ = 180°). Thus, each spherical directivity assessment included 36 polar-angle θ samples and 72 azimuthal-angle ϕ samples. The presented data include 22 1/3-octave bands, ranging from 80 Hz …

The Impact Of Light Rail Transit On The Urban Development In Dubai, Uae, Dhabia Nasser Alhazmi Alefari

Theses

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen significant growth in urban development over the past two decades. To overcome the implication of this development, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has called for sustainable transport development at all levels, including the Light Rail Transit (LRT), which is a friendly mass transit system to satisfy the requirements of urban mobility, environmental sustainability, and green power efficiency. The shift towards sustainable mass transport systems has become the ideal choice to overcome the challenges accompanying the growth and development facing cities such as Dubai and to convert them into sustainable environmentally friendly places. …

Solving The Negative Earnings Dilemma Of Multistage Bidding In Public Construction And Infrastructure Projects: A Game Theory-Based Approach, Muaz O. Ahmed, Islam H. El-Adaway, Kalyn T. Coatney

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

With the tremendous increase in spending on public projects, contractors need to employ efficient and effective bidding strategies to cope with the competitive bidding environment. Usually, general contractors carry a portion of the work and subcontract other parts to eventually submit a holistic joint bid. This bidding setting is referred to as multistage bidding where subcontractors submit their quotations/bids to the general contractor, after which the general contractor submits a final joint bid for the whole project. In a multistage bidding environment, general contractors may be faced with an increase in the probability of negative or below normal profits. Despite …

Understanding Effects Of Permafrost Degradation And Coastal Erosion On Civil Infrastructure In Arctic Coastal Villages: A Community Survey And Knowledge Co-Production, Min Liew, Ming Xiao, Louise Farquharson, Dmitry Nicolsky, Anne Jensen, Vladimir Romanovsky, Jana Peirce, Lilian Alessa, Christopher Mccomb, Xiong Zhang, Benjamin Jones

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the results of a community survey that was designed to better under-stand the effects of permafrost degradation and coastal erosion on civil infrastructure. Observations were collected from residents in four Arctic coastal communities: Point Lay, Wainwright, Utqiaġvik, and Kaktovik. All four communities are underlain by continuous ice-rich permafrost with varying degrees of degradation and coastal erosion. The types, locations, and periods of observed permafrost thaw and coastal erosion were elicited. Survey participants also reported the types of civil infrastructure being affected by permafrost degradation and coastal erosion and any damage to residential buildings. Most survey participants reported …

Funicular Shell Exploration: Form Finding And Fabrication, Alexis Truong, Adria Burton, Ethan Mach

Architectural Engineering

Analysis and evaluation of interdisciplinary challenges associated with integrating the design and construction processes to deliver innovative thin shell structures.

Arce 415 Portfolio, Jay Skaff, Audrey Williams, Sarah Tom

Architectural Engineering

The purpose of this studio is to design a sun shelter for children at the SLO Botanical Gardens. It will be used for outdoor presentations and learning experiences. When coming up with the initial design of the shell structure for the SLO Botanical Gardens, the team needed to consider the material being used, the constructability of the structure, the people who would be using the structure, and the overall lifespan of the shell.

Guastavino: Learn By Doweling, Audrey Luu, Gabrielle Favro, Robert Pulido, Cameron Grant

Architectural Engineering

We embarked on a journey into the world of shells this quarter! We began the process with form finding using rhino and grasshopper. Then made a study model using laser cutters to brainstorm ways to construct the real-life model. As a class, we completed two shell structures.

Development Of The Human Scale Twelve-Node Model, Tebrez W. Khan

Architectural Engineering

The attempted creation of a full-scale twelve-node model made of PVC pipe and golf balls. Intended use of the structure was for students to tactically learn from the model.

Population Growth Vs. Landfill Capacity Vs. Recycling Mandates In California Counties, Thomas Soares

Architectural Engineering

As population growth increases in Monterey, Fresno, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, so does waste production. More waste is a cause for concern because landfills have limited capacities. In order to combat the increase in waste, cities, counties, and the state are creating recycling mandates to ensure waste is being handled appropriately. More specifically, the trash generated by residents and construction and demolition (C&D) materials are being recycled and reused instead of thrown into landfills. This report indicates that increases in recycling mandates in California cannot withstand the increase in waste generation from population growth. Another …

Team Torroja, Justine Teoh, Lindsey Brophy, Brandon Watrin

Architectural Engineering

For this project, we were tasked with designing a sun shelter by SLO Botanical Gardens for their Children's Garden. It was requested that the form by derived from structural shells. The structure is to serve as a multi-purpose space to host a variety of activities on the 30 foot by 60 foot site.

Reaching A Young Audience In City And Regional Planning, Kristie P. Woo, Vinnie P. Chen

City and Regional Planning

Currently, urban planning is a rare discussion topic in schools. The youth are often excluded in the planning process as most adults question their intellectual capacity and they hold little to no political power. However, this does not have to be the case - planning has the potential to change young minds when expressed in a medium children can understand.

The Integration Of Virtual Reality In The Commercial Construction Industry, Justin T. Gin

Construction Management

Virtual reality has recently been spreading throughout the commercial construction industry rapidly. Some of its capabilities are safety training, helping spot Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues, logistics planning, and virtual walkthroughs. Many construction companies were starting to utilize virtual reality's advantages until COVID-19 hit. The initial wave of COVID slowed down construction in general as well as the need or use of virtual reality. Now, some companies are worried about the health risks and implementation issues that virtual reality headsets might bring while other companies are optimistic about the future of virtual reality. This report will explore the different …

Proposal For Adobe Earthbag Disaster-Relief Structure, John Camacho

Construction Management

The science behind creating an adobe house has been around for thousands of years; the primitive mixture contains only dirt, water, and straw. Left to cure in bricks or as a single cast-in-place system, the structure will provide long-lasting protection from the elements. Science has taken this a step further with the introduction of cementitious admixtures and reinforcement. The result is an adobe structure with exemplary thermo-retentive properties and load-bearing capabilities. This project provides an analysis on the “SuperAdobe” earthbag system that has been put into practice by independent contractors and housing-relief initiatives. The goal of the project was to …

Using Flight Simulation As A Convenient Method For Uas Flight Assessment For Contractors, Colin Dees, Joseph M. Burgett

The Professional Constructor

Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for commercial purposes in the United States requires the pilot to pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) knowledge exam to earn their UAS license. The exam does not include a practical component where flight proficiency is assessed. This represents a source of risk for contractors if flight proficiency is not evaluated in another way. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a federal agency and has developed the Basic Maneuvering Test (BMT). It is the only nationally recognized UAS flight proficiency exam. While not required, the construction industry can benefit by using this …

Hope's Village Of San Luis Obispo Charging Cabinet, Jackson S. Thomas, Payton E. Strout

Construction Management

This paper will review the steps the students took to provide Hope's Village of SLO with a new charging cabinet. Hope's Village of SLO is a local non profit that provides support for the central coast homeless community. Becky Jorgensen, who leads the organization, reached out to the students expressing her want for a new cabinet that people could use to charge their phones and tablets. The students then conceptualized the design with the help of an architecture student, applied for and received funding from the Alliance Group, purchased all materials and built the cabinet. This paper will walk you …

Five Key Points In The Ipcc Report On Climate Change Impacts And Adaptation, Lisa Schipper, Vanessa Castan Broto, Winston T. L. Chow

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The latest report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) looks at the impacts, adaptation and vulnerabilities associated with the climate crisis, and we are three of the 270 scientists and researchers who wrote it. The document reports stark new findings on the way current global warming of 1.1℃ is impacting natural and human systems, and on how our ability to respond will be increasingly limited with every additional increment of warming.

Presas Efímeras Of New Mexico, José A. Rivera Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

The main title of this paper mimics a groundbreaking investigation by anthropologist Teresa Rojas Rabiela and ethnohistorian Ignacio Gutiérrez Ruvalcaba titled: Las presas efímeras mexicanas, del pasado y del presente (Ephemeral diversion dams of Mexico, past and present). Their study inspired the addition of counterpart cases from Nuevo México, a former Mexican province directly north of the Juarez-El Paso border. The work here describes the traditional dams of the northern Río Grande region and also serves as a guide to future research and the development of historic preservation projects. After introducing readers to Las presas efímeras mexicanas, …

The Underrepresentation Of Women In Building Trades Programs And Careers: Perceptions Behind The Educational And Career Decision-Making Process, Ethel J. Clayton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Women may perceive barriers when considering educational and career options in predominately male-dominated STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs and settings. This qualitative, phenomenological study, emphasizing the social cognitive career theory, explored women’s perceptions that influenced the decision-making process to pursue nontraditional educational paths and careers in career and technical education fields such as architecture and construction while considering gender-associated challenges, culture and racial-ethnicity, and career and technical education stigma. Six adult female participants (three students and three leaders) responded to semistructured questions within a focus group and one-on-one interviews via telephone conferencing. A thematic analysis process using …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Sense Of Community / Student Engagement, Aaron Sauer, Richard Gebken, Richard Bruce

The Professional Constructor

The spring of 2020 was a time of unprecedented change for higher education institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to re-think instructional delivery and the undergraduate experience as they implemented measures to protect students, faculty, and staff. Unraveling the impact of the pandemic on higher education will take many years. This study investigated how the institutional response in the return to campus following the pandemic influenced sense of community, a component of student engagement. A previously developed instrument was delivered at two construction management programs in the U.S. Midwest before and after the pandemic. The two schools were similar in …

Current State Of The Workforce Demographics And Knowledge Transfer Strategies In The Southeast United States, Vivek Sharma, Dhaval Gajjar, Kapil Madathil, David Davis, Shreyas Patel

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry is a very diverse industry due to the unique nature of projects and expertise within various construction companies driven by multiple regional/national factors. The United States Department of Labor reported 44% of the current US employed population will be above 65 in eleven years by 2028, making workforce studies and knowledge transfer a key driver in leading construction business models. This study conducted an in-depth investigation in the southeast region of the US on the current state of workforce demographics and the need for knowledge transfer within the ranks of management coupled with trade personnel. The study …

Perceptions Of Remote Work Within The Construction Industry Resulting From The Covid-19 Pandemic In The South Central United States, Sara B. Overturf, Ben Bigelow, Matthew Reyes

The Professional Constructor

Working remotely became increasingly popular over the previous two years, given organization’s need to rapidly adjust to changing conditions as a result of the Coronavirus. It allowed companies to more easily adapt to stay-at home orders and create a safer environment for their employees. While working remotely can have a positive impact on employees, there are also challenges to overcome for both employees and organizations. This study focused on understanding both the prevalence and implementation of remote work within the commercial Construction industry to face the professional challenges resulting from the Coronavirus. This paper provides insight into companies that have …

Educating The Construction Client: Training Strategy For Buyers Of Commercial Design And Construction Services, Michael J. Emmer

The Professional Constructor

Business owners can face a myriad of challenges when venturing into a new construction project. Most of the design and construction process is unfamiliar territory as compared to their customary business operations and owners face a wide assortment of issues when making the decision to build a new facility. Consequently, the majority of owners are entirely out of their business element when deciding to enter into the undertaking of a new building project. Since most of the risk with any given project rests with the Owner, better training and strategies for owners will lead to a higher likelihood of project …

قياس الرهاب الاجتماعي, Mayssah El Nayal

BAU Journal - Society, Culture and Human Behavior

يتناول هذا الكتاب عدداً من المقاييس النفسية التي تهتم بقياس الرهاب الاجتماعي social phobia، حيث تم عرض ستة مقاييس لها خصائص عالية من الصدق والثبات على عينات أجنبية وعربية. ويعد الكتاب مفيداً لاطلاع الباحثين وطلاب الدراسات العليا، وهو من إعداد أ.د. بدر الانصاري استاذ علم النفس في كلية العلوم الاجتماعية -جامعة الكويت.

L’Art Post-Catastrophe : Un Témoin Activiste, Michel Abou Khalil

BAU Journal - Society, Culture and Human Behavior

Le Liban, un pays riche artistiquement et intellectuellement, est la scène par excellence d’un enchainement de catastrophes depuis sa naissance jusqu’à nos jours. L’explosion du port de Beyrouth le 4 Août 2020 en constitue l’ultime épisode et peut-être le plus dramatique de tous. Un phénomène inédit s’est révélé suite à cette tragédie sans précédent : la scène culturelle s’est immédiatement mobilisée sans passer par une étape mnésique post catastrophe comme c’est en général le cas après un désastre. Que s’est-il passé ? Pourquoi une telle urgence ? Comment les artistes ont-ils utilisé leur créativité pour exprimer l’indicible, le penser, en …

Religiosity And Subjective Well-Being In The Arab Context, Mayssah El Nayal, Laila C.A. Helmi

BAU Journal - Society, Culture and Human Behavior

This is a quick review of Ahmed Abdel-Khalek’s seminal collection of studies on religiosity and psychology, entitled Religiosity and Subjective Well-being in the Arab Context, publish in 2018 by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, UK. The review gives a quick introduction to the topic and proceeds to describe the contents of the work.

Sebastian Faulks’ Human Traces:A Journey Into The Depths Of The Human Psyche, Essam Fattouh

BAU Journal - Society, Culture and Human Behavior

Sebastian Faulk’s novel, Human Traces (2006), embarks on a new trend in contemporary English fiction. Through its representations of two main protagonists, pioneers in the field of psychology between the 1870s and 1918, Faulks traces the formative years of the development of the young discipline of psychiatry. Even though Faulks works in the realist traditions of Charles Dickens and George Eliot, yet he delves into such major questions as the role of unconscious motivations in human individual behaviour, the causes of mental illness, and the very attempt to understand the nature of the human being. The time frame of the …

الخصائص السيكو مترية للصورة العربية القصيرة للإصدار الثاني من قائمة الخمسة الكبار, Bader M. Al-Ansari, Talal B. Al-Ali

BAU Journal - Society, Culture and Human Behavior

هدفت هذه الدراسة لفحص الخصائص القياسية للصورة العربية القصيرة للإصدار الثاني من قائمة الخمسة الكبار في الكويت. استخدمت في هذه الدراسة (3) عينات مستقلة من طلاب جامعة الكويت إجمالي قوامها (2977) فرداً بواقع (1116) من الذكور و (1861) من الإناث وذلك لحساب ثبات الاتساق الداخلي والصدق العاملي وصدق المحك. وقد أسفرت نتائج الدراسة عن تباين معاملات الثبات لقائمة الخمسة الكبار حيث تراوحت معاملات ألفا للثبات بين 0.75 و0.82 لعينة الذكور في حين تراوحت معاملات ألفا للثبات بين 0.74 و0.81 لعينة الإناث. كما كشفت نتائج التحليل العاملي الاستكشافي عن استخلاص خمسة عوامل لقائمة الخمسة الكبار (العصابية، الانبساط، الانفتاح العقلي، الاتقان، القبول). …