Architectural Engineering Commons^™

Effect Of A Geothermal Heat Pump System On Cooling Residential Buildings In A Hot, Dry Climate, Rania Rushdy Moussa, Ayman H. Mahmoud

Architectural Engineering

ABSTRACT In the last century, electricity demand has doubled due to urban expansion, which has contributed to the formation of more urban heat islands (UHI) and the appearance of environmental hazards such as the global climate change phenomenon. Since residential buildings are considered the main electricity consumer sector in Egypt, they consume up to 42% of total energy consumption, which contributes to increasing temperatures and constitutes UHI in cities. In this context, the research aims to examine the effectiveness of using the closed vertical loop geothermal system (GSHPCV) for cooling residential buildings in a hot, dry climate, such as Cairo, …

Python Manual: A Learning Guide For Structural Engineering Students, Aaron Dewey, Kennedy Gomez, Meileen Yee

Architectural Engineering

This Python programming manual is a resource to assist architectural, civil, or structural engineering students as they learn to create scripts to solve various structural analysis and dynamics problems. Beyond providing guidance on Python libraries that enable numerical and symbolic mathematics (NumPy, SciPy, SymPy), the manual also focuses on the creation of tabular and plot outputs useful to communicate results through technical reports (Pandas, Matplotlib).

The content of this document was developed based on detailed review of curriculum for three architectural engineering computing courses typically offered to upper class students at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as well as surveys …

Evaluation Of Structural Retrofit Of A Hillside Home, Cameron C. R. Cunningham

Architectural Engineering

On November 24, 2021 after months of initial planning, the project owner received approval from the San Luis Obispo Planning and Building Department for initial work on a residential remodeling submission. This approval including a grading permit and other initial site work to begin renovation of the owner’s hillside residential property.

Teaching The Equivalent Rectangular Stress Block, J. Chris Carroll, Ben Dymond, Anahid Behrouzi

Architectural Engineering

The equivalent rectangular stress block is the basis for determining the flexural strength of reinforced concrete members. Instructors commonly present the concept in two dimensions, contrary to its three-dimensional nature. Unfortunately, this can be particularly difficult for students to understand and visualize, especially for students with visual learning style preferences. This paper presents an overview of the equivalent rectangular stress block, select active learning methods, and four specific examples used by the authors to introduce the equivalent rectangular stress block in an undergraduate reinforced concrete design course. The first method focuses on understanding the terms associated with the equivalent rectangular …

Active And Visual Methods For Teaching Nonrectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams, J.Chris Carroll, Anahid Behrouzi, Karl F. Meyer

Architectural Engineering

Nonrectangular cross sections are a common occurrence in reinforced concrete design typically taking the form of flanged beam sections, circular columns, and square or rectangular columns subject to biaxial bending. Instructors typically introduce the theory behind nonrectangular beams using two-dimensional sketches of flanged sections. Students can struggle to visualize the examples when presented in two dimensions; deciphering the multiple resultant compressive forces and their corresponding moment arms are particularly difficult. This paper presents an overview of nonrectangular beam theory and select active learning methods along with three specific examples used by the authors to teach nonrectangular beams in an undergraduate …

Lean Thinking As An Approach For Improving Client Communication During The Design Process, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Ghada N. Mossad, Nishani Harinarain

Architectural Engineering

Lean thinking is perceived as a successful strategy for saving time and cost, while improving at the same time the position in the market. Lean thinking is about eliminating waste and increasing the quality. When applied correctly, lean thinking is a well understood and well examined platform upon which to build firm practices. In the architectural profession miscommunication has a lot of consequences including time and cost overruns, conflict and ultimately project failure. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of lean thinking in improving the communication between the client and the architect during the design process. …

Integrated Project Delivery (Ipd): An Innovative Approach For Achieving Sustainability In Construction Projects, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Ghada Adel, Nishani Harinarain

Architectural Engineering

In spite of the positive impact construction can have on the economy and society in general, the industry is being blamed for the negative impact it has on the environment. This problem can be attributed to traditional procurement approaches adopted in construction industry and the inability to handle the different challenges regarding waste generation and pollution of the environment. This paper focused on the role of construction procurement as a method to achieving sustainability. This paper aims to investigate the role of integrated project delivery (IPD) in achieving sustainability in construction projects. In order to achieve this, aim the research …

Optimizing Phase Change Material On Opaque Building Envelope To Reach Nzeb, Mennatallah Hassan, Khaled Ragheb Dewidar, Mostafa Ismail Rifat, Ashraf Nessim, Aly Assem Abdelalim

Architectural Engineering

Designing a net Zero Energy Building nZEB envelope with high thermal comfort and low energy consumption is vital nowadays. There is some established specialized software for building optimization design, but these programs are time-consuming, expensive, and demand many data input of building parameters. Therefore, it is difficult to follow the optimization procedure. The aim of this research is to present a novel study to optimize the use of Phase Change Material PCM on opaque building envelope using a multi-objective optimization tool. Python (3) is employed to implement EnergyPlus to minimize the initial cost of PCM in commercial buildings, running cost …

Analysis Of Factors Affecting Construction And Demolition Waste Reduction In Egypt, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Ahmed Osama Daoud, Obas John Ebohon, Ali Bayyati

Architectural Engineering

Construction projects are associated with construction and demolition waste (CDW) generated at different stages. In Egypt’s case, the CDW problem has become a significant challenge, and the need to find sustainable solutions is overwhelming. Based on recent investigations in the literature, it was found that six main factors are affecting CDW reduction (CDWR) as follows: (1) waste-efficient materials procurement measures; (2) waste-efficient materials procurement models; (3) green materials procurement approach; (4) legislation; (5) culture & behaviour; and (6) awareness. In this study, a representative sample of Egyptian construction firms was screened to (1) investigate the applicability and effectiveness of CDWR …

Wood Diaphragm Deflections. Part Ii: Implementing A Unified Approach For Current Clt And Wsp Practice, John Lawson

Architectural Engineering

Horizontal wood diaphragm systems, whether decked with conventional or mass timber panels, transfer wind and seismic loads to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system (LFRS), in flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid fashion. Characterizing and calculating the resulting diaphragm deflections determines the distribution of forces to critically loaded components and a significant portion of lateral building translations and rotations. Deflection equations for sheathed wood structural panel (WSP) diaphragms are well established in U.S. design standards in a 4-term expression that models flexural, shear, and fastener-slip deformations, but similar equations for cross-laminated timber (CLT) diaphragms have yet to unfold, despite growing industry …

Wood Diaphragm Deflections. Part I: Generalizing Standard Equations Using Mechanicsbased Derivations For Panel Construction, John W. Lawson, Scott Breneman, Marco Lo Ricco

Architectural Engineering

Horizontal wood diaphragm systems, whether decked with conventional or mass timber panels, transfer wind and seismic loads to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system (LFRS), in flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid fashion. Characterizing and calculating the resulting diaphragm deflections determines the distribution of forces to critically loaded components and a significant portion of lateral building translations and rotations. Deflection equations for sheathed wood structural panel (WSP) diaphragms are well established in U.S. design standards in a 4-term expression that models flexural, shear, and fastener-slip deformations and its full derivation using principles of mechanics is provided herein. Derivations of similar equations …

A Methodology For Converting An Engineering Program From Quarters To Semesters, Allen Estes, Brent Nuttall, Craig Baltimore, Peter T. Laursen, Michael James Deigert, Cole C. Mcdaniel

Architectural Engineering

California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo has offered classes on the quarter system since its inception in 1946. In the Fall of 2021, the university was mandated to move to the semester system by Fall 2026. After researching the literature and interviewing universities that had made the same conversion in the past, it became apparent that no suggested methodology for making this conversion was available. This paper chronicles the conversion to semester effort to date and suggests a formalized methodology that other institutions can use if found in the same situation.

Some challenges are that initial information from …

The Impact Of Biophilic Attributes On University Students Level Of Satisfaction: Using Virtual Reality Simulation, Amira Mohamed Mahrous, Khaled Dewidar, Mostafa Refaat, Ashraf Nessim

Architectural Engineering

Biophilic design is a new approach that can enhance human psychological well-being. Most recent studies focus on applying biophilic design to hospitals or office buildings, not academic buildings. While usually ignored, students' level of satisfaction is one of the most important key indicators for a successful learning environment. This paper aims to identify the biophilic design attributes that can potentially contribute to enhancing the students' level of satisfaction. This will be done through an experimental research design using virtual reality in a design studio at The British University in Egypt. Each participant (N = 52) was exposed to the existing …

Concrete Masonry Program (Cmd21) Usability, Allie G. Decker

Architectural Engineering

The Concrete Masonry Design Program, CMD21, can be utilized in the design of beams, columns, and walls, but this project focuses on the use of the program to analyze shear walls loaded in-plane. This report critiques and describes the learning process behind the CMD21 program.

The Leaf For Leaning Pine Arboretum, Maria Boyle, Shelby Holmquist, Andrew Duong

Architectural Engineering

The goal of this ARCE 415 senior project course was to create a shade structure that could be incorporated into The Leaning Pine Arboretum, located on campus at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. From start to finish, these three ARCE students took on the role of form-finders to form-testers to form-makers. We are putting the "architectural" back in architectural engineering as we reclaim the historical tradition of the engineer as the form finder. In many of our design labs we focused primarily on sizing members and analysis, just using a structure that the architect already had established. In this one-of-a-kind …

Physical And Digital Models For Timber Design And Analysis Courses, Paulina Robles, Gabrielle Rose Favro, Anahid Behrouzi, Abby Lentz

Architectural Engineering

Among structural engineering education research, there is a limited number of studies on interactive learning tools and activities specifically for the timber design classroom to assist students in visualizing material behavior, vertical and lateral load paths, and construction sequence. Timber design courses within the undergraduate program in the Architectural Engineering department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), place an emphasis on seismic and wind design. Therefore, the proposed learning tools and activities are intended to pair with an introduction to concepts in the American Wood Council’s National Design Specifications (NDS) and Special Design Provisions for …

Mbesese Build 2023, Ben Stewart, Matthew Chung, Ian Mcconnell

Architectural Engineering

In collaboration with the Mbesese Initiative for Sustainable Developments, the senior project group from California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo, researched, designed, and created construction documents for the Same Polytechnic College project in the town of Same, Tanzania. This project aims to combat poverty in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania by providing education and infrastructure development. In 2023, the senior project group focused on completing a communal and educational space and addressing clean water scarcity through a rainwater collection system on the site of the future college.

Crescent: Proposed Arboretum Shade Structure, Hayle Jones, Ian Kelly, Emilie Phuong, Brooke Heitman

Architectural Engineering

This is a sunshade structure that uses shells as the facade to create the enclosing of this structure.

Xenabloom, Sophia Maglabe, Ryer Lauth, Elizabeth Shaw, Sheyna Rongong

Architectural Engineering

Proposal for an architectural and structural design of a shade structure at the Leaning Pine Arboretum, employing the Xenaform typology of Poly Shells, LLC.

Investigation Of Natural Pozzolans: Analyzing The Practicality Of Natural Pozzolans As A Partial Substitute For Cement In Grout Production, Jadyn I. Breien, Andrew J. Baro, Logan T. Marino

Architectural Engineering

This senior project aims to investigate whether natural pozzolans are more sustainable than fly ash and a sufficient substitute for cement in the production of grout. By following the intent of the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) standards, a conclusion will be made to determine if natural pozzolans can contribute comparable strength in compression. The objective is to prove that natural pozzolans should be utilized in the production of grout rather than alternatives such as fly ash because it can provide similar strength while being more economical and more sustainable.

Polymöbi: Single-Surface Timber Polyshell Shade Structure, Ryan Khieu, Tom Sesin, Gabriel Garfias, Evan Brooks

Architectural Engineering

Overall design process of incorporating Polyshells into a sunshade structure, while addressing client needs, materiality, constructability, and life safety.

Arce 415 Portfolio: The Green Bird Of Paradise, Kristofer R. Rickansrud, Ryan Chan, Brendan Peers, Joel Santoyo

Architectural Engineering

A design project creating a Polyshell sunshade structure for the Leaning Pine Arboretum.

The Center For Centering Dome, Olek Piechaczek, Ryan M. Scharf

Architectural Engineering

The Center for Centering seeks to create a large-scale healing center, conducive to individual centering of the mind and body. This mobile installation provides a relaxing, enclosed space while still maintaining a connection to the outdoors. The clients liked the idea of having a pop-up installation that could be easily set up as a touring display. With a deadline for installation looming in June 2022, a team of students had five months to design and manufacture the structure.

In winter 2022, the students developed custom geometry to minimize the number of individual parts and built a ¼ scale model of …

Thermal And Energy Efficiency Of Roof Tiles Fabricated From Crushed Aluminum Slag And Kaolin Clay For Social Residential Buildings In Egypt, Mohamed E. Elattar

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Optimization Of Plastic Waste Integration In Cement Bricks, Yara Salah El-Din El-Metwally

Architectural Engineering

Implementing plastic waste in construction materials is a sustainable disposal method to overcome plastic pollution. The current study aims to optimize the integration of plastic waste in cement bricks regarding their thermomechanical properties in order to develop an eco‑friendly building material. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) partially substituted cement with different ratios (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20%). The type that achieved better thermomechanical performance further replaced the other brick components; sand and coarse aggregates to determine the optimum replacement scenario and best design mix. Laboratory experiments have been carried out to measure the compressive strength, indirect tensile …

A Talent Management Based Framework For Developing Sustainable Quality Of Work Life In Architectural Design Firms In Egypt, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Marwa Naguib Elwazer

Architectural Engineering

Purpose –This research aims to develop a talent management (TM) based framework to achieve a sustainable quality of work life (QWL) in architectural design firms (ADFs) in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach – A research methodology consisted of literature review, case studies and a survey questionnaire, was designed to achieve the abovementioned aim. Firstly, the literature review was used to investigate the work environment’s demotivating factors in ADFs, TM strategies and process to depict the relationship between developing sustainable QWL and TM and finally explore how TM can assist in achieving Egypt’s vision 2030. Secondly, three case studies of ADFs from Denmark, Norway …

A Knowledge Management Based Framework For Enhancing The Learning Culture In Architectural Design Firms In Developing Countries, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Mirna Mohamed Elkady

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – In spite of the active role of continuous learning on improving organisational performance, the construction industry generally and architectural design firms (ADFs) in particular are criticised for their inability to use organisational knowledge to foster learning culture towards enhancing their performance. This paper aims to develop a framework based on knowledge management (KM) to enhance the learning culture in ADFs in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the abovementioned aim, a research methodology consisted of data collection, data analysis and action required is designed to achieve four objectives. First, to examine the nature of the construction industry in …

Slo Botanical Garden Deck, Noah E. Demer

Architectural Engineering

This project consists of the design and construction of an outdoor-use deck. This deck is to be located in the NE corner of the Sage Meadow at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden at 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. This deck’s intended use is as a gathering area for people to congregate. Originally, the ideal deck area was proposed as 700+ square feet, but with further site and project limitations the final design was ~480 square feet. This deck has not been constructed.

Improving The Thermal Performance And Energy Efficiency Of Buildings By Incorporating Biomass Waste Into Clay Bricks, Mohamed E. Elattar

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Precious Plastics - Plastic Brick Machine Fabrication, Timothy Ukaobasi Kanu, Evi Paraskevi Troulis

Architectural Engineering

The goal of this research is to determine the structural parameters of the recycled plastic polypropylene when molded into bricks resembling CMU blocks. To accomplish this, three mechanisms had to be assembled: the shredder, the injector, and the 1x1 mold. A tensile and compression test were to be performed on the plastic brick, and the values would be used to compare the tensile and compressive strength of PP plastic bricks, as well as their modulus of elasticity and stress vs. Strain performance. These values would be analyzed to determine whether it would be feasible to build an entire plastic wall. …