Construction Engineering Commons^™

Pedestrian Bridge In Tanzania, Maja Sagaser, Karina Rosales

Architectural Engineering

This senior project originated to address the need of the community of Same, Tanzania. There is a deep and wide ravine which floods, making the path many adults and children take to the Majevu Primary School increasingly difficult and dangerous. This report encapsulates all of the steps taken to complete an approved final design for a footbridge to be constructed over this ravine. It includes the project overview, the architectural and structural design process, as well as the important considerations. There are also structural drawings that include plans, elevations, and details.

Framing Exterior Partitions For The Great Northern Services Housing Project, Patrick Pierre Shami

Construction Management

In the wake of a fire in Weed, CA that destroyed 150 homes, Great Northern Services (GNS), a nonprofit organization, reached out to Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo about a service-learning opportunity. This opportunity involved designing a single-family home and prefabricating the exterior partitions in San Luis Obispo. In Fall 2017, interdisciplinary teams of students delivered design proposals in the Integrated Project Delivery studio. The selected design was then finalized into a permitted set of drawings, and planning for the prefabrication began. The extent of the prefabrication was limited to the framing and sheathing of the exterior walls. The length of …

Prefabrication Of Exterior Partitions For Great Northern Services, John Christofer Claudio Espino

Construction Management

In the wake of a fire in Weed, CA that destroyed 150 homes, a non-profit organization called Great Northern Services (GNS) reached out to Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo about a service-learning opportunity that involved designing a single-family home and pre fabricating the exterior partitions in San Luis Obispo. In Fall 2017, interdisciplinary teams of students delivered design proposals in the Integrated Project Delivery studio. The selected design was then finalized into a permitted set of drawings and planning for the prefabrication began. The extent of the prefabrication was limited to the framing and sheathing of the exterior walls. The length …

Inception Through Inspection: Quality Control In The Simspon Strong Tie Materials Demonstration Lab, Allyson G. Forster

Construction Management

The purpose of this senior project is to create a quality control program in the Simpson Strong Tie (SST) Materials Demonstration Lab using BIM 360. The goal of this program is to help streamline the building process of the six-foot by eight-foot tiny home in Residential Construction Management. The SST laboratory activities have been developed in the true spirit of “learn by doing” and serve as a way for Construction Management (CM) students to interact with the building process directly. Students in the CM department are taught that quality begins at the inception of a job and should be monitored …

Haiti Transitional Home: Solar Panel System Design, Kasey Riese Hetzel

Construction Management

Haiti is located in a region with optimal access to the sun’s rays, but not enough resources to make use of them. While the country is known for its limited access to electricity and unreliable power quality, it has the potential to become a renewable energy powerhouse. Providing a safe place for families to reunite under one roof, that runs solely on solar power is the ultimate goal of this project. Not only designing the most efficient system, but finding which products are available in country, and which products would be more cost effective to ship internationally was the intent …

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 …

Incorporation Of A Leed Green Associate Exam Prep Course Into The Construction Management Tech. Elective Selection, Jason Gendron

Construction Management

Since the development of LEED began in 1993, the construction industry has gradually been incorporating these certificates into every aspect of the field, predominantly the Commercial sector. With LEED becoming a major element impacting nearly every project, it is crucial for individuals to fully understand what LEED encompasses. As greater numbers of professionals in the industry have begun to strive for their LEED Accreditations, it has become apparent that it is far easier to prepare for these exams while in college when individuals have more time to do so rather than during employment. This project is an evaluation of the …

Financial Feasibility Of Leed Certified Buildings For Developers And Investors, Erik P. Henriksen

Construction Management

This is a case study on a small to mid-size private equity firm that deals with real estate development as well as investment to find out the financial feasibility of LEED certified buildings in today’s building climate. Interviews with two investment analysts at this firm who are versed in LEED certification about how it is looked at in their company as well as the broader industry will give insights into the feasibility of developing or investing in environmentally friendly buildings. This impacts the real estate and construction industries due to the fact that developers and investors are often times a …

Documentation Of Concrete Slabs Prior To Pours, Peter D. Riley

Construction Management

Concrete slabs in multi-level commercial building projects contain many components that become no longer visible once concrete has been poured. As building designs advance and continue to locate components in concrete, it is important to document what these slabs contain in order to verify accurate craftsmanship and allow for improved future construction workflows and building modernizations. This paper explores current industry needs for proficient documentation as well as practices to achieve this. A case study was conducted, testing four devices that analyzed feasibility factors for realistic implementation by a contractor such as cost, interoperability, and level of skill required for …

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 …

Incentivising Multidisciplinary Teams With New Methods Of Procurement Using Bim + Blockchain​, Alan O'Reilly, Malachy Mathews

Conference papers

This paper researches a potential method of incentivising AEC industry professionals to design to better than NZEB standards. Analysing the potential of a purposefully designed local microgrid storing excess energy generated by solar technologies embedded within the building envelope; the microgrid excess output is measured and recorded using a (Post Occupancy) “Blockchain” application and measured against the data provided at design stage on a (Predictive) “Blockchain” database. This paper researches how energy output predictions at design stage, by multidisciplinary teams, may be enhanced by BIM + Blockchain Technology. The paper researches the potential of a digital twin (predictive versus post …

Bs News May/June

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Automated Generation Of Daily Evacuation Paths In 4d Bim, Kyungki Kim, Yong-Cheol Lee

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Spatial movements of workers and equipment should be carefully planned according to project plans. In particular, it is crucial for workers’ safety to prepare emergency evacuation paths according to changing construction site configurations and construction progress. However, creating evacuation paths for all crews for each day can be an extremely labor-intensive task if it is done manually. Consequently, in most construction projects, evacuation plans are not provided to managers and crews throughout the entire construction. Even state-of-the-art technologies do not suggest ways to generate evacuation paths according to changing progresses presented in 4-Dimensional Building Information Model (4D BIM). This research …

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 44, Number 01

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.

Measuring Element (31) External Walls Completion. An Introductory Demonstration, Tony Cunningham

Other Resources

This demonstration is addressed to Irish students taking measurement or quantities modules at first year or entry level of quantity surveying related programmes.

The worked example has been carried out using traditional handwritten quantity surveying processes on traditional dimension paper. It is acknowledged that, in actual practice, this would be carried out using measurement software or on-screen measurement technology. The traditional handwritten approach, however, has been retained in order to enable novice students to develop the necessary measurement skills and build confidence through direct contact with drawings and written taking off processes. In addition the presentation illustrates how the work …

Latex Modified Concrete - Very Early Strength, Bobby Steele

Purdue Road School

INDOT came out with specifications for a very early strength concrete to use on bridge deck overlays. This concrete is fast setting, which allows overlays to be performed over a weekend and benefits the traveling public with a short duration of traffic interference. Cure time to reach the strength requirement is 3 hours. E&B Paving performed the first application with the new spec on August 26, 2018. Many changes were also made to the INDOT Specification Section 722.

Final Design Review: Mascoma River Greenway Extension, Sebastian Strong, Sarah Atac, Eleanor Dowd, David Ruiz, Isalys Quiñones

ENGS 89/90 Reports

This report outlines current conditions surrounding the extension of the Mascoma River Greenway (MRG) to downtown West Lebanon, NH and recommends a route to completion. Included in the report are maps detailing potential route alignments and recommendations based on outside research and interviews with numerous stakeholders, Lebanon City officials, and community members. The report is intended to provide context and updated insight into the present and future of the MRG, following in the spirit of the 2010 MRG Action Plan, a document that created a vision for redevelopment of the Northern rail corridor and motivated stakeholders to move the project …

Architectural Engineering Institute: 2019 Student Design Competition - Jack H. Miller Center For Musical Arts, Mark W. Wright, Logan D. Wright

Architectural Engineering

The 2019 Student Design Competition is an annual interdisciplinary competition for students in Architectural Engineering (AE) programs around the nation. The central focus of the project was exploring interdisciplinary workflow and collaboration between the disciplines of the built industry. The 2019 Cal Poly design team, Sotto Voce, consisted of 3 Architecture, 2 Architectural Engineering, and 2 Construction Management students. The team was given a set of architectural drawings of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts at Hope College in Holland, Michigan and tasked with finalizing the design. The primary design challenge, to create an innovative venue and community …

Building Homes And Hopes In Bangalore, India, Sherry S. Saroufeem

Construction Management

Habitat for Humanity Global Village is an organization that continuously sends volunteers to work on construction projects around the world. My team and I were chosen to go to a village in Bangalore, India, where we dug and poured home foundations for three families in need. Given the opportunity to combine my love for construction and my passion for helping those in need, I was certain that this was the senior project for me. I wanted the capstone of my college educational experience to reflect a hands-on approach, where I had the opportunity to make a difference and see an …

Bs News March/April

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Implementing Unbiased Decision-Making In Construction: A Lean Approach, Somik Ghosh, Michelle Robinette, Howard Tapia

The Professional Constructor

Construction project-teams are frequently faced with the task of decision-making as part of their responsibility. The positive effects of the decisions made at various stages of the projects lead to improved project performances, while negative effects can hinder the performances. The project teams take up the task of decision-making surrounded by multiple criteria, which can be arduous and clouded with subjectivity. This paper presents an approach based on the Lean principle of providing more autonomy to the project-teams and supporting collaborative and decentralized process in pursuit of unbiased decision-making. This Lean way of decision-making is formalized as Choosing by Advantage …

Attracting And Retaining Future Top Performing Employees: A Student Perspective, Julia Allen

The Professional Constructor

This essay provides insight as to how construction companies can both attract and retain top performing employees. By making the standard interview and recruiting processes more personal, construction companies can evaluate potential hires to see is they are a good fit for the company for years to come. Once employees are hired, companies then need to provide opportunities for both personal and professional growth. From personal experiences, I share the characteristics I find most important in an ideal employer and emphasize the importance of having an in-depth, genuine conversation with potential hires.

Attracting And Retaining Top Employees By Placing Proper Value On Their Contribution To The Company, Joseph Franklin Iii

The Professional Constructor

Due to an optimistic economic future, construction companies want to attract and retain the best employees to ensure company success. Because of a larger job market, employees now look for the optimal work values to be met in long-term employment opportunities. Construction companies have many challenges when attracting and retaining top employees in a growing market. Therefore; it is beneficial for employers to consider the evolving work values of employees and for these values to be promoted throughout company culture. Offering employees good value for their contribution to the company attracts and retains top employees.

Social Resources Of Mechanical Contracting Management Personnel, Blake Wentz, Sarabeth Gandara

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry in the United States is projected to grow faster than average compared to other industries through 2026. The Baby Boomer generation is leaving a significant gap in the labor force as they reach retirement. Retention of high quality management personnel is a priority for all companies in the construction industry, including mechanical contracting companies. Firms that fail to retain these employees will be left with an understaffed and underqualified workforce, which will hinder their ability to be competitive in the marketplace. In order to aid in retention efforts, mechanical contracting firms need to focus their attention on …

Essay Winners, American Institute Of Constructors

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.

Attracting And Retaining Future Top Performing Employees, Caleb Bardin

The Professional Constructor

The goal of this essay is to explore the key factors that influence top-performing employees’ decisions to change companies or remain with their current employers. A few of these factors are salary and benefits, work environment, and corporate advancement. This essay will address such factors and propose solutions using my own educational and professional experience. A key theme to note is the constant evaluation of employees and workplace environment by employers. No company can hope to be successful or have the best people if this skill is not enhanced and implemented well.

Study Of Various Construction Job Functions To Address Workforce Challenge, Abraham Bonilla, Dhaval Gajjar, Kenneth Sullivan

The Professional Constructor

Lack of construction workforce is one of the most predominant challenges faced by the construction industry. It is predicted that the industry will have a major shortage of skilled labor in the next decade due to the retirement of baby boomers and the lack of new talent entering the industry to replace these baby boomers. To attract young talent into the construction industry, it is critical to make them aware about the industry regarding various job functions as it relates to job satisfaction, compensation and career fulfilment. The purpose of this study is to gain insight of various construction job …

Consumer Perception And Willingness To Pay For Extended New Home Warranties, C. Todd Usher, Joseph M. Burgett

The Professional Constructor

Construction standards and methods for building new homes has improved over the last two decades resulting in significant improvements in energy efficiency, comfort, indoor air quality, and durability of new homes. Despite these improvements, the most common builder warranty for a new home in the United States ranges from 6 months to two years in duration. During the past two decades, manufacturer warranties on other durable goods such as automobiles has increased significantly. This study measures consumer perceptions of extended 12 year new home warranties with a survey completed by 162 adults in the United States. The results indicate that …

Toughness, Tenacity And Maximum Initial Strength Of Rubber Modified Asphalt Binders, Kazem Jadidi, Mehdi Khalili, Moses Karakouzian, Serji Amirkhanian

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

The toughness and tenacity test method, which was developed in the 1980s, is popular for evaluating a polymermodified binder. Several states like Nevada require performing this test to evaluate non-modified binder samples, as well as other types of modified binders. In this regard, a toughness and tenacity test was performed on rubber-modified samples produced from virgin binder PG58-28, PG64-16 and AC-20. In order to take the rubber size, type and content into account, two rubber sizes, mesh #20 and #40, two rubber types, ambient and cryogenic, and three rubber contents, 10%, 15%, and 20% were produced and tested. The results …

Ua1c2/39 Home Economics Building Photos, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Images of the Home Economics Building, razed Oct. 21, 1982.