Engineering Commons^™

Advanced Construction Scheduling: Capturing Conditional And Stochastic Relationships, Amr Elsabagh

Theses and Dissertations

Proper planning is a key factor in all business endeavors. This is especially important in the construction industry as a project is sensitive to countless factors that affect the project's time and cost. This created the need for agile and flexible schedules for close monitoring and dynamic planning for construction projects. The currently prevailing scheduling techniques are CPM and PERT, which professionals in the field widely use. These methods create static schedules that are vulnerable to any changes in the schedule logic, which often happens during construction projects. In addition, these Scheduling techniques do not capture the uncertainties and complex …

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 …

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 …

Construction Management Study Abroad Program Database, Mike L. Schuler

Construction Management

In the Construction Management department, there are programs available for students to study abroad. The problem is that there isn’t much acknowledgement of these programs. That is because the students don’t know where to look. To help students learn more about the opportunities that await them, a database compiling all the programs was put together. Along with it, fliers will be put up to help advertise and encourage students to study abroad. It will give them the specifics of each program including cost, location, dates, advisor and more. The purpose is to provide easy access to the abroad programs so …

Creating A Construction Management Technical Elective Course: Introduction To Subcontracting Management, Noah T. Warren

Construction Management

Many rising issues are threatening the subcontracting industry today, such as labor shortages and communication problems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics over 50% of the current workforce is over the age of 40. This fact combined with a dwindling interest in subcontracting from younger generations is resulting in a need for more skilled labor. The goal of this project is to create a course that will foster an interest in the subcontracting industry for the students who take it and encourage them to suggest and implement positive changes in any company they work for. The proposed course will …

Standardized Sustainable Rapid Housing Design, Octavio Diaz, Ernesto Escalante, Lily Sieber

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Senior Theses

DignityMoves is an organization committed to providing interim supportive housing to the unhoused population. DignityMoves partners with philanthropic organizations, owners, and cities to borrow unused and empty lands for anywhere from five (5) to twenty (20) years and organize the development of sites using prefabricated modular tiny homes. These homes meet housing department codes and standards while also allowing DignityMoves to capitalize on city emergency housing codes.

The goal of this project is to address the structural, geotechnical, greywater, building envelope, and construction management scopes of building interim supportive housing sites to create standardized solutions that:

(a) Lower the cost …

United States Army Corps Of Engineers Info Session At California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Gabriel L. Vesneski

Construction Management

Gabriel Vesneski facilitated an Info Session on Thursday, November 2, at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for the United States Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District Civil Works. Three guest speakers from the Sacramento District Civil Works office presented their educational background, experience as employees for the Corps of Engineers, occupational benefits, and finally opened a question-and-answer forum for the students attending the Info Session. Upon completion of the Info Session, a survey was provided for attendees, in order to track interest in employment or internship opportunities provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Finally, there …

Artificial Intelligence Integration In Construction: A Cal Poly Curriculum Assessment, Carter James Hahn

Construction Management

In a rapidly evolving industry where AI enhances efficiency and safety, questions are being raised on whether it should be introduced in the classroom. This research project is with the intention of understanding if and how artificial intelligence should be incorporated into Cal Poly’s construction management curriculum. The research combines a literature review establishing AI's relevance in construction project management with a survey-based methodology to gauge industry perspectives. Today, the global construction market witnesses a surge in AI adoption in its planning, construction, and O&M phases. In turn, the industry has benefited from its application in mitigation of risks, improved …

Exploring Student Population And Factors Deciding Enrollment In Cal Poly Slo Cm Program, Nicholas Diaz

Construction Management

This study addresses the research problem of understanding how students discover the Construction Management (CM) major at Cal Poly SLO and assessing the satisfaction level of current CM students. A qualitative survey was conducted among 31 anonymous CM students using a digital survey platform. The survey aimed to gather data on students' experiences, perceptions, and overall satisfaction with the program. The analysis of the survey data revealed that students primarily discover the CM major through personal connections, academic advisors, and online resources. However, there is room for improvement regarding program visibility and accessibility. Effective marketing strategies are essential to attract …

A Guide To An Effective Cal Poly Construction Management Internship, Vincenzo Lucich

Construction Management

Internships provide a multitude of opportunities for students to learn and apply curriculum concepts. Internships are a window providing students with a glimpse of industry standards and practices. For employers, internships can provide value in the form of assistance with documentation, providing a fresh pair of eyes, and providing potential hires. That being said, currently there is no common set of internship standards, producing varying results for interns. The purpose of this research paper is to provide a professional blueprint for current and future CM companies to integrate in their internships. Student surveys and industry professional interviews were conducted to …

An Artificial Intelligence Tool For The Selection Of Delay Analysis Technique In Construction, Mostafa Farouk

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing complexity and magnitude of projects impose greater impact of delays on stakeholders. Construction delays are a major source of disputes in construction projects. Since a construction project depends on interactions and shared responsibilities among parties, research works were directed toward identifying delay causes, quantifying their impacts, and proposing ways to deal with them. Several delay analysis techniques (DATs) are available, but when applied to the same project’s delays provide different results. Thus, the selection of the DAT to use in evaluating delays becomes vital. Reviewing the literature, it has been realized that often there are disagreements, which lead …

Bilingual Advantages To The Construction Industry, Miguel A. Duran Jr.

Construction Management

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and emphasize the importance of the Spanish language within the construction industry to construction management students at Cal Poly. Knowledge within another language is also used at an advantage in the industry as it increases one’s value through this key skill, and aids effective team communication on a project. Furthermore, the construction industry is filled with subcontractor’s majority being of Latin-based descent. Though this key skill is not required by companies, this skill can help verbal communication barriers which occur on a project when most subcontractors only speak the Spanish language. Verbal …

Hiinga Hospital Project - Uganda, Africa, Arley W. Landis

Construction Management

This paper outlines the role of a construction management student in the interdisciplinary development of an urgent care clinic and hospital in Kampala, Uganda. This interdisciplinary team was composed of five students all belonging to the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. The team was tasked by Hiinga Inc., a capital investment company, to provide a preliminary design and construction resources to aid with development of these facilities. Two construction management students worked on this project at different stages. The first student was tasked with constructability research and a preliminary estimate …

Exploring Student Feedback In Order To Help Build An International Summer Program, Gillian Mcafee

Construction Management

Studying abroad presents students with the opportunity to acquire and develop a diverse range of employability and life skills. Exposure to diverse cultures introduces you to innovative ideas and ways of thinking that you might not have thought of otherwise. International travel is extremely beneficial to those working in the construction industry as they can study foreign business practices, architectural styles, and intercultural communication. While Cal Poly has had a successful summer study abroad program in the past, the faculty leaders are looking for student feedback to help better structure the program and in turn hopefully increase enrollment. This project …

Analysis Of The Retention Rate Of Students In The Granite Heavy Civil Minor, Sophie Harrington

Construction Management

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the retention rate of the Cal Poly Granite Heavy Civil Minor program. This program began in 2020, with the first cohort graduating in Spring of 2022. Throughout the past two years, there have been several students who have joined the program, however they have decided to no longer pursue the minor. Through personal conversations, personal experience, as well as a survey directed to both construction management and civil engineering students, it was identified that scheduling concerns seemed to be a primary factor that was creating apprehensiveness in students. The survey showed that …

Analysis Of The Potential Structure Of A Peer Mentorship Program For The Construction Management Department At Cal Poly, Slo, Jane C. Runte

Construction Management

The Construction Management Department at Cal Poly, SLO has no structured peer mentorship program as of 2022. The department has attempted to implement a peer mentoring program in the past but none with longevity. This paper analyzes data collected from the students of the CM Department through a qualitative and quantitative survey regarding the need and structure of a peer mentorship program to begin again. The survey’s main goal was to gain an understanding of whether or not the students think the department should implement a peer mentorship program and the structure that the student body would find most beneficial …

Cal Poly Construction Management Summer Bootcamp 2022, Mason A. Heinse

Construction Management

The purpose of this paper is to outline the intent and key objectives of the Cal Poly Construction Management Summer Bootcamp. This project was developed through collaboration with Cal Poly Construction Management faculty and other contributors to create a multi-scope project with the objective of creating a summer bootcamp. The camp was proposed to assist the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education and the Central Coast Homebuilders Association with promoting skilled trades education in high schools. Local high schools currently implement the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) curriculum, which has proven difficult for students to enroll in or complete. …

The Preconstruction Of Foundation For A Greenhouse, Alla I. Hashim

Construction Management

This project outlines the preconstruction process for building a concrete base for a prefabricated greenhouse unit. This project was initiated by the Cal Poly Garden Club so they could plan for the installation of a greenhouse at the Student Experimental Farm on Cal Poly’s campus. The members of the club currently share a greenhouse with another Cal Poly Club which restricts their ability to use the greenhouse freely. The initial goal of the project was to request a permit, however, that will be postponed until the specific location is determined. This project still provides the necessary elements for requesting a …

Analyzing Internships In Construction Management Based On Student/Industry Interest And Experience, Jared C. Gormley

Construction Management

The goal of this research paper is to analyze feedback from both student interns, and the industry on whether there is a disconnect between what each group feels makes an internship beneficial or not. Research was done evaluating current Construction Management students with internship experience at Cal Poly, while also evaluating companies that have internship programs. This paper will provide student interns with insight from industry members regarding internship programs, and it will provide companies with insight from students regarding their experiences within internship programs. Two surveys were sent out, one to all Construction Management Students at Cal Poly, and …

An Improved Earned Value Management Method Integrating Quality And Safety, Brian Briggs

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The construction industry invests significant time and money to improve quality and safety while reducing cost and schedule impacts. The industry has a sincere desire to improve construction project management methods to improve efficiency. Historically, quality and safety underperformances result from undermanaged quality control and safety activities. The cost and schedule impacts associated with poor quality work have always had an impact on construction operations. The unprecedented challenges and uncertainties of COVID-19 highlighted the need to improve the Earned Value Management (EVM) method within construction to reflect these quality and safety activities. The central goal of this dissertation is to …

Creating A More Diverse And Inclusive Environment In The Cal Poly Construction Management Department, Miriam Robles

Construction Management

This study looks at how to increase diversity and inclusivity in the Cal Poly Construction Management Department. It is becoming increasingly important to promote diversity and inclusivity not just in the classroom, but also in the workforce. It is important for the Cal Poly CM program to put more of an emphasis on trying to create a more a diverse major and acknowledge the importance of having inclusivity and diversity in the major. This project researched ways in which other universities have used different methods to increase diversity and create a more inclusive culture on their campus. This research was …

Second Language Advantages To The Construction Industry, Heilam Wu

Construction Management

The university is well known for its prowess in construction management. It is essential for construction management students to learn additional skills. The current trend in construction management predicts its expansion across international borders. A construction manager will have an added advantage working abroad if they can communicate using different languages. Knowledge of foreign languages is advantageous as it increases the chance of securing job opportunities and sharing effectively with others. However, this can only be attained by encouraging more students to learn to integrate their skills with at least one or two foreign languages. It is, therefore, essential to …

Analyzing The Impact Of The Women In Construction Club, Reagan Milligan

Construction Management

The Women in Construction (WIC) club at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo provides a support network for all students, but specifically serves women pursuing an undergraduate degree in construction management. The club’s mission statement is to ‘recognize and empower all students in construction through change, collaboration, and leadership development by leveraging connections.’ This study was conducted to determine the types and levels of impact the Women in Construction club has had on undergraduate students at the professional, academic, and personal levels. The study evaluates the different types of events held by the club, networking opportunities provided for both …

Development Of Bluebeam Curriculum For Construction Management Department In Virtual And In-Class Transmissions, Jacob K. Clark

Construction Management

This paper discusses the development of two new learning modules for the California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Construction Management department on Bluebeam practices and usage that reflect industry and technological changes. Adapting to and maintaining practices in distance learning, this curriculum allows for optimal online education and further advancement and clarity in in-person transmissions. With step-by-step videos for optional distance learning, students and faculty can choose to engage in alternative modes of education delivery. Building on traditional roles of construction technology education, teaching instructions are provided for faculty. This project based senior project positively impacts the body of knowledge …

Waste Management Relating To Sustainable Practices In Construction Management Today, Danielle Grace Moody

Construction Management

This study is a combination of research from previous studies as well as interview to evaluate the effects of the various sustainable systems and rating systems, how they are working to improve waste management, and how this has plays into the current and future practices of construction. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is one of the largest waste flows in the world, reaching 30–40% of the total solid waste because of the large-scale construction and demolition activities resulting from accelerated urbanization and city rebuilding (Islam, 2019). To evaluate the difference between LEED certified construction in comparison to non-LEED certified construction, …

Indispensable Homes In Third World Countries: Constructing A Home In Tijuana, Mexico, Myles Hubers

Construction Management

This project was created to explore a way in which poverty around the world could ultimately be reduced. The way in which this project intends to demonstrate a method used to reduce poverty is by building a home for a specific family in Tijuana, Mexico. In doing so, this home will act as a model home for a manual, comprised of steps that should be taken to construct similar homes throughout any third world country. The goal of this project is to highlight the importance of poverty in the world while also creating a buildable solution in order to reduce …

Residential Dwelling Design And Construction Planning, Jodi Beery

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report presents a step-by-step guide in building a hypothetical residential dwelling in Wayne County, Ohio. The project begins with the initial site investigation phase, which gathers general information about the physical site of proposed construction as well as the requirements of the governing body of the area; applications for permits and inspections for example. Next, phase is the site design which includes creating plans for the building footprint, pavement areas, and utility locations. The next phase in the design will be the building plans which will include floor plans and associated material lists for the construction of the home. …

Collaborative Planning In The Construction Industry: A Holistic Framework For Assessing Collaborative Planning Practices And Predicting Project Performance, Amr Elsayegh

Doctoral Dissertations

"The fragmentation of the construction industry prompted developing novel methods such as collaborative planning, lean construction, advancements in technology, integrated project delivery, and relational contracting. Current research focused on specific facets of collaborative planning without presenting a comprehensive analysis of its factors. As such, the goal of this research is to develop a holistic framework that studies and evaluates collaborative planning practices in construction projects. This research offers significant addition to the body of knowledge through various theoretical and practical contributions. In relation to that, this research developed a comprehensive framework by (1) identifying a comprehensive list of factors influencing …

Should Teamwork-Based Content Be Taught In The Cal Poly Construction Management Curriculum?, Matthew J. Sharman

Construction Management

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), in the Construction Management (CM) curriculum, there is a lack of teamwork-based content. This content includes negotiation, conflict resolution, and fundamental skills for working collaboratively with others such as social-emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication. The nature of the Cal Poly CM Program is to teach students about the aspects of the construction process, however what is missed is teaching how to work effectively in teams. They fail to teach this because of the strict curriculum of focusing on learning objectives rather than teaching individuals how to be effective construction managers. …

Online Platform For Construction Management Internship Reviews - Continued, Michael F. Dunne Iii

Construction Management

The purpose of this paper is to outline and explain the origin, process and outcome of my goal to create a website where Construction Management students have the capability to review their internships. The aim was to continue to progress Cal Poly alumna Erica Zetterquist’s senior project and her idea to create an online platform similar to “PolyRatings”, a website where Cal Poly students are able to review and rate their professors. This website is essentially the same thing as “Polyratings”, but for internships instead of professors, hoping to help students with their job search process. Based off a series …