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Articles 1 - 30 of 1453
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Operation Webs - Tiny Home On Wheels: Quantity Take-Off, Estimate, And Site Logistics, Brendan Moynahan
Operation Webs - Tiny Home On Wheels: Quantity Take-Off, Estimate, And Site Logistics, Brendan Moynahan
Construction Management
The objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss the process of performing quantity take-offs, completing an estimate, and creating a site logistics plan for the Operation WEBS (Women Empowered Build Strong) Tiny Home on Wheels project performed at the Paso Robles State Fair. This project is a part of the interdisciplinary project based senior project completed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, College of Architecture and Environmental Design students Brendan Moynahan and Jake Torres. Brendan Moynahan performed the deliverables covered in this paper while Jake Torres completed his own deliverables for another paper. Our individual responsibilities …
Engineering-Enhanced Theatre: How Engineering Involvement Can Aid Regional Theatres, Albert M. Le
Engineering-Enhanced Theatre: How Engineering Involvement Can Aid Regional Theatres, Albert M. Le
Architectural Engineering
Engineering and theatre are disciplines not often associated with each other within regional and small theatre companies in the United States. The distinction between the two fields of study is not simply from the fundamental differences between how each field is taught and practiced, but also the difficulties encountered within a scope of theatre often constrained with limited budget and time for each production. However, when beginning to explore the intersection between engineering and theatre, it is found that the empirical nature of current theatrical practices can be countered, and scenic design and construction can be re-envisioned with engineering involvement …
A Study Of Commuting Conditions For Construction Professionals In The San Francisco Bay Area, Ethan John Argue
A Study Of Commuting Conditions For Construction Professionals In The San Francisco Bay Area, Ethan John Argue
Construction Management
This paper investigates the commuting experiences of workers in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a focus on construction industry professionals. Numerous scientific studies and reports have been done regarding both traffic congestion in the Bay Area and commuting conditions for construction workers. By comparing points of information on Bay Area workers like their job type, commute length and commute satisfaction, this study aims to uncover correlations and understand who is affected the most by traffic congestion. After extensive surveys and interviews of Bay Area workers, average commute times were calculated and reported for several industry subsets, along with averages …
The Challenges Of Building A Mass Timber Single-Family Home: A Case Study, Avery Emma Onan
The Challenges Of Building A Mass Timber Single-Family Home: A Case Study, Avery Emma Onan
Construction Management
This case study explores the various challenges faced by those involved in the pre-construction and construction of a mass timber, single-family home in Central Texas. Using semi-structured interviews, a subcontractor, an owner, a manufacturer, and two construction managers were questioned about their specific challenges with the build. These challenges were solely related to the use of mass timber on the project. In recent years in the United States, mass timber has become an increasingly desired building material to use in a commercial and multi-family residential context. Due to limited information and builder inexperience using mass timber in a single-family homebuilding …
Exploring The Role Of Construction Technology Copilots, James S. Thielmann Jr.
Exploring The Role Of Construction Technology Copilots, James S. Thielmann Jr.
Construction Management
In the rapidly evolving construction industry, the adoption of software solutions is essential for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring timely project delivery. This paper assesses the effectiveness and usefulness of existing construction software solutions, focusing on their functionalities, strengths, and limitations. Among the prominent solutions gaining traction are Trunk.Tools, Constructable.ai, and ProjectEngineer.ai. The construction industry, although historically slower to adopt new technologies, stands to gain a great deal from these tools in terms of project management and performance. This research includes a thorough examination of ProjectEngineer.ai's reach in the market, feature development, and growing uptake among experts in the …
Skip The Grid: Solar Panel And Battery Installations In Navajo Nation, Samir S. Ramanathan
Skip The Grid: Solar Panel And Battery Installations In Navajo Nation, Samir S. Ramanathan
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a collaborative effort to bring off-grid power to communities that are isolated and experience inequalities, such as the Navajo Nation, in order to enhance their quality of life. This effort involved an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, SOLV Energy, and Heart of America (HOA). Due to the vast nature of the reservation, lack of government focus in the region, and Covid’s severe damage to the community, a large number of homes of school age children do not have power. This project installed solar panels, battery systems, and lights …
Skip The Grid: Delivering Power To The Navajo Nation, William Jacob Bellios
Skip The Grid: Delivering Power To The Navajo Nation, William Jacob Bellios
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bring sustainable, off-grid power solutions to isolated communities facing significant challenges, such as the Navajo Nation. This collaborative effort involved an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) SOLV Energy, and Heart of America (HOA). Due to the vast and dispersed nature of the reservation, a historical lack of government investment, and the severe impact of COVID-19 on the community, many homes are without electricity. This project aimed to address these issues by installing Goal Zero solar panels, battery systems, and lighting in 24 homes of …
Investigating The Performance Of Bendable Concrete Against Traditional Concrete, Landon J. Poston
Investigating The Performance Of Bendable Concrete Against Traditional Concrete, Landon J. Poston
Construction Management
The qualitative research in this case study evaluates the importance of bendable concrete within various construction settings. The data aims to justify the interest in bendable concrete, as well as why it is not being used more in structural work. The intended stakeholders of this paper are concrete suppliers, contractors, and researchers who are looking for more imperative ways to manufacture a more sustainable form of concrete. Through a brief online meeting and a Google Form questionnaire, company participants were able to provide the knowledge and feedback desired for how bendable concrete can be incorporated more in the future of …
Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks
Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks
Construction Management
The construction industry is known for its demanding nature, often leading to significant mental health challenges among its workforces. This study investigates mental health issues prevalent in construction, focusing on identifying key stressors and potential protective factors. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with a survey distributed to construction professionals. The survey gathered data on job satisfaction, stress, coping mechanisms, and the availability and utilization of mental health resources. Results indicated high levels of job dissatisfaction and stress, with respondents citing poor communication, excessive work hours, and lack of control over their roles as primary stressors. …
Cal Poly Sustainability Course Impacts On Students Work Choice & Thinking, Jesus Rojas
Cal Poly Sustainability Course Impacts On Students Work Choice & Thinking, Jesus Rojas
Construction Management
This research paper addresses the impact a sustainability course has on construction management students at a public university. A quantitative survey was conducted among 21 participants. This survey aimed at obtaining data from construction management students who have or were currently enrolled in a sustainability course to determine whether their thinking of construction and job selection approaches were altered as a result of taking the class. Results indicated that there was some impact on how students perceived sustainable construction after taking the class. Students were more experienced and aware of sustainability issues that occurred because of construction practices which affected …
Skip The Grid: Navajo Nation Solar Power Project, Nathan Kealy Haub
Skip The Grid: Navajo Nation Solar Power Project, Nathan Kealy Haub
Construction Management
Skip the Grid, an initiative aimed at empowering communities in need was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, industry partners like SOLV Energy, and the educational non-profit organization Heart of America (HOA). This project was a true testament to the power of teamwork and innovation. Our mission was to assist families of school-aged children in the Navajo Nation by providing them with solar energy systems, including batteries and lighting. We aimed to create a lasting impact by equipping these families with essential resources. In addition, we integrated educational …
A Case Study: Impacts Of A Building Retrofit On Employee Efficiency And Productivity, Rigo Zepeda
A Case Study: Impacts Of A Building Retrofit On Employee Efficiency And Productivity, Rigo Zepeda
Construction Management
This case study explores the effects of retrofitting building systems on operational efficiency and employee productivity in the contemporary office environment. As concerns over sustainability and the well-being of employees are now at the forefront of modern workplace design, the retrofitting of outmoded building systems has been seen as an option to enhance energy efficiency and occupant satisfaction. This research paper focuses on the recently retrofitted Performance Contracting office building in Benicia, California. As heating and ventilation systems, and lighting are two big contributors to energy consumption in buildings and comfort, analyzing these systems provided insight into its building performance. …
Recycled And Waste Glass As A Sustainable Substitute For Aggregates And Cement In Concrete, Griffin Powers Finnane
Recycled And Waste Glass As A Sustainable Substitute For Aggregates And Cement In Concrete, Griffin Powers Finnane
Construction Management
Besides water, concrete is the most widely used material in the world. The production of Portland cement, the most crucial ingredient in a concrete mix, significantly contributes to global carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 7-8% of the total. The majority of these emissions result from the cement production process, which involves kilns powered by greenhouse gas-producing sources. Additional emissions come from the heavy diesel equipment used to load and haul aggregates to batch plants. Although the construction industry is adopting more sustainable building techniques and materials, the basic concrete mix remains largely unchanged, continuing to contribute heavily to carbon emissions. …
Design, Estimate, And Cut-Sheet Of Playhouse For Girls Build Summer Academy, Miles Paul Miller
Design, Estimate, And Cut-Sheet Of Playhouse For Girls Build Summer Academy, Miles Paul Miller
Construction Management
This Project-Based-Project was inspired by the Girls Build Summer Academy which is run by Professor Stacy Kolegraff. The camp is a week-long and the group of girls will construct a playhouse from scratch. The camp is to immerse young girls into the construction industry. This senior project is composed of 3 different components which include the Design, Estimate, and Cut-sheet of the playhouse. The project did not have any type of needed funding. This project is aimed to create an in-depth but intuitive set of plans and directions to create the playhouse for the girls. This project’s goal is to …
Gateway Decathlon: Carbon Calculations Of An Offsite Residential Construction, Isaac Robert Rubio
Gateway Decathlon: Carbon Calculations Of An Offsite Residential Construction, Isaac Robert Rubio
Construction Management
This senior project delves into a comprehensive calculation of carbon emissions for both efficiency and sustainability within the realm of modular construction. A material takeoff of the building was performed, allowing for an accurate measurement of materials and their respective EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) values. After material selection, a final carbon calculation of the building was calculated. Carbon emission calculations were performed on the current Revit Model allowing for a full-scale analysis, from Cradle to Gate, of the offsite residential unit. The results show that the total initial embodied carbon emissions of the unit is 9241 (kg-CO2e), representing the total …
Understanding The Behavior And Risk Tolerance Of Future Construction Industry Leaders, Mateo Daniel O'Sullivan
Understanding The Behavior And Risk Tolerance Of Future Construction Industry Leaders, Mateo Daniel O'Sullivan
Construction Management
A long persisting detriment to the construction industry is the impact of alcohol, substance abuse, and gambling throughout the field. Many workers fear the repercussions of missing work and push through smaller, manageable pain, leading to injuries and further pain as they age. This causes a heightened usage of opiates throughout the industry to stay at work without bothering your company. Additionally, many young project engineers are not used to the demand of long hours every week and look for vices to relieve stress. While there is plenty of data on the construction industry overall, this study aims to learn …
San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Swine Barn Demolition And Enclosure Reconfiguration, John F. Spurlock
San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Swine Barn Demolition And Enclosure Reconfiguration, John F. Spurlock
Construction Management
The San Luis Obispo High School (SLOHS) FFA program required an upgrade to its deteriorating swine barn. This project came in three unique scopes of work: demolition of the existing barn, proper disposal of materials, and reconfiguration of the enclosure and water lines. This paper will cover specifically the reconfiguration of the enclosures and the redesign of the watering system. This phase of the project required skills in framing and plumbing, which our team had absorbed during specific construction management courses at Cal Poly. The reconfiguration included framing and securing a long span of fencing along the northern side of …
Optimizing 3d Printed Concrete Effificeny: A Case Study Of Emergent 3d'S Iterative Process Improvement, Michael Stearns
Optimizing 3d Printed Concrete Effificeny: A Case Study Of Emergent 3d'S Iterative Process Improvement, Michael Stearns
Construction Management
This case study looks into the advancement of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) technology and its application by Emergent 3D, a company dedicated to addressing California's housing crisis through low-cost, sustainable construction. Emergent 3D, which was formed in response to the 2018 Carr Fire, uses 3DPC to quickly and economically design energy-efficient homes. Unlike traditional construction processes, 3DPC constructs buildings or walls layer by layer using computer-generated designs, reducing material and labor expenses. This case study focuses on Emergent 3D's first project, Enterprise Park, which gave them significant insights on improving the 3DPC process. This case study identifies crucial improvements in …
Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Students, Colette Burd
Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Students, Colette Burd
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an annual joint initiative facilitated by the non-profit Heart of America involving California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students and faculty, and SOLV Energy. The Skip the Grid project brings power and lighting to Navajo Nation families with school-age children by installing a self-contained solar battery system. Completed from March 24th through March 28th of 2024, this year the Skip the Grid project brought photovoltaic energy systems with solar panels, a battery, lights, and outlets to 24 homes, benefiting over 100 students in the Consolidated School District within the Navajo Nation. For the …
Evaluating Value Engineering Techniques Of California Contractors, Mason Alec Montoya
Evaluating Value Engineering Techniques Of California Contractors, Mason Alec Montoya
Construction Management
Value engineering plays a critical role in delivering the best possible project to an ownership team. Preconstruction teams across firms of all sizes perform value engineering studies to determine how project scopes can be changed to advance the construction schedule, reduce costs, and ensure the end user is satisfied with their building. To determine how California general contractors employ value engineering, I used a series of interview questions in a structured format to interview four professionals from different California general construction firms. The analysis and findings of my study provide insight into how familiar construction teams are with value engineering …
Electrical Design For Moringa Leaf Dryer, Jake Weiss
Electrical Design For Moringa Leaf Dryer, Jake Weiss
Construction Management
The objective of this project is to provide a methodology to the electrical scope of mechanical leaf dryers. This dryer was particularly designed for an off-grid farm in New Longoro, Ghana in which resources and materials are limited. The electrical system must be designed so that it works with motors, variable frequency drives, worm gears, and other materials that could be sourced in Ghana. The system should also draw minimal power so that remaining photovoltaic energy could be utilized on the farm. The system should be simplistic and repeatable for other farmers to utilize. By using both a numerical analysis …
Feasibility Of Implementing A Construction Project In An International Country, Kristina Poliseri
Feasibility Of Implementing A Construction Project In An International Country, Kristina Poliseri
Construction Management
This paper examines the execution of an international service project involving the construction of a complex system. It explores three distinct approaches assuming a fully designed system: building the system in the U.S. and shipping it internationally, having system pieces constructed entirely in the destination country prior to arrival for assembly, and developing a prototype in the U.S. followed by the construction of a full-scale system in the international country. Each method presents unique advantages and challenges. Building in the U.S. ensures high quality, advanced technology, and meeting tolerances, however, leads to significant fees, shipping costs, and logistical complications. Constructing …
Superintendent Skill Sets In Both Heavy Civil Construction And Commercial Construction, Tyler Hill
Superintendent Skill Sets In Both Heavy Civil Construction And Commercial Construction, Tyler Hill
Construction Management
This paper investigates the distinct skill sets required for superintendents in both heavy civil and commercial construction industries through qualitative research, focusing on interviews with industry professionals. It identifies key differences in the roles, such as the emphasis on field experience for heavy civil superintendents, who often advance through the trades, versus the necessity for broader technical skills and higher education for commercial superintendents. This paper gathers insights from interviews with superintendents, conducted through personal and professional connections, focusing on their experiences and key industry differences. Despite these distinctions, the research reveals commonalities across both sectors, including the importance of …
Communication Challenges And Lessons Learned For An International Research And Development Project, Ryan Fehrenbach
Communication Challenges And Lessons Learned For An International Research And Development Project, Ryan Fehrenbach
Construction Management
This paper discusses the importance of communication for an International Research and Development project given the timeline it takes to accomplish. With a Cal Poly team of 5 students, 2 professors as advisors, an off-campus external advisor, and the Moringa Connect team in Ghana, many forms of communication were utilized and documented throughout the duration of the project. For a project of this magnitude, it was crucial to establish clear forms of communication from the first discussions of the project for both the internal Cal Poly team and the external team in Ghana. Implementing shared documents such as a deliverable …
What Construction Management Students Are Looking For In A Job Offer, Michael D. Aceves
What Construction Management Students Are Looking For In A Job Offer, Michael D. Aceves
Construction Management
Many construction companies and construction management firms invest large amounts of time and resources into the acquisition of new talent directly out of college from universities such as California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). Because of this, the knowledge of what incentives would be most enticing to a construction management student preparing to graduate would prove beneficial to the aforementioned construction management companies. In order to find a base level understanding of that knowledge this paper looks to report on a survey of construction management students at Cal Poly about how important a myriad of common job …
The Second Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Katie Chriss
The Second Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Katie Chriss
Construction Management
This paper details the development and implementation of the second annual Hasslein CAED Collaborative student competition. This competition engages students from all five majors within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) in a Request for Proposal-style challenge. CAED includes students from Architecture, Architectural Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture. Although these fields are closely connected in professional practice, there are limited opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within the college. The competition is built on research by Greta Stout, class of 2022, which highlighted the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration at Cal Poly SLO, and the first …
Skip The Grid: Solar Energy Concepts In Navajo Nation Schools, Dana M. Craighead
Skip The Grid: Solar Energy Concepts In Navajo Nation Schools, Dana M. Craighead
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a non-profit initiative with a goal of providing solar power to homes with school-aged children in the Navajo Nation. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) partners with SOLV energy, and Heart of America (HOA) to provide approximately 30 homes each year with Goal Zero solar panels, and educate students in the surrounding areas about how solar energy can help power communities. This year, a group of 20 students from departments including Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Management and Protection, Mechanical Engineering, and Graphic Communication joined the initiative and traveled to Shiprock, New Mexico …
Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo- Phase 1: Preconstruction, Layout, Material Procurement, Hunter Froud, Aleena Panchal
Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo- Phase 1: Preconstruction, Layout, Material Procurement, Hunter Froud, Aleena Panchal
Construction Management
This essay outlines the thorough preconstruction procedure that went into building a pavilion in the university's Leaning Pine Arboretum. Every step that our team took, from the preliminary surveying phase to the foundation laying prior to frame, is painstakingly planned and carried out. The main objective is to create a dynamic area that effortlessly combines education and recreation; it should be both a lively meeting place and a haven for students to study under cover. The team took a calculated risk to make sure our pre-construction phase was successful. This included carrying out thorough quantity takeoffs, keeping lines of communication …
Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks
Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks
Construction Management
The construction industry is known for its demanding nature, often leading to significant mental health challenges among its workforces. This study investigates mental health issues prevalent in construction, focusing on identifying key stressors and potential protective factors. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with a survey distributed to construction professionals. The survey gathered data on job satisfaction, stress, coping mechanisms, and the availability and utilization of mental health resources. Results indicated high levels of job dissatisfaction and stress, with respondents citing poor communication, excessive work hours, and lack of control over their roles as primary stressors. …
Drone Applications In Residential Construction, Leo Geiger
Drone Applications In Residential Construction, Leo Geiger
Construction Management
Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have revolutionized various industries since their creation, particularly in construction. Originally used for military and recreational purposes, drones began to find their place in construction in the early 2010s, primarily for surveying and mapping. While tons of research has been conducted on drones' capabilities in surveying, there is a gap in studies focusing on their applications for general contractors, particularly in large-scale developments. Five interviews were conducted, three with general contractors who have integrated drone technology into their teams and two drone companies that provide subcontracted drone services. Through these interviews, the primary applications …