Engineering Commons^™

Introduction To A Demolition Topics Course, Scott Martin

Construction Management

The California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Construction Management (CM) program was created to allow graduates the opportunity to work effectively in practically every part of the construction industry. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics and prepares students with the ability to join various projects, such as residential, commercial, and heavy civil projects. What these projects all have in common, a topic almost entirely ignored at Cal Poly but nonetheless very important and relevant, is demolition in the construction industry. By offering a course focused entirely on the demolition process, principles, and safety, students will be better prepared …

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 …

The Preconstruction Of Sustainable Housing In Muhanga, Rwanda, Rachael Worstman

Construction Management

This project involved the designing and building process of a sustainable, environmentally sound housing option designed for the people of Muhanga, Rwanda. This project was initially inspired by the Earthships built in New Mexico. During the design process the Earthships' design and materials used was evaluated, then altered to better suit Rwanda based on the available natural resources and needs of the people. Rwandans have endured a traumatic history and still experiences struggle today. An example of this is the anti-thatching campaign in 2011 that left thousands of people homeless as they were forced out of their unsafe homes. One …

Construction Management Students Using Technology In The Field, Anthony D. Bongi

Construction Management

This research paper examines the affect technology has had on the desire for college graduates to pursue a career in the field. The idea of college graduates entering directly into a field leadership position was contemplated and discussed. Historically, soft skills such as leadership and communication have been the predominate attributes of any worker expected to run construction in the field. While the importance of these skills hasn’t changed, the importance of technological skills has increased to be considered alongside soft skills. Through an anonymous survey of industry professionals with 10+ years of experience as well as interviews of two …

Sustainable Building Techniques In Levi’S Stadium: A Case Study, Sean Zweigle

Construction Management

This study aimed to analyze the sustainability of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California through an analysis of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification. Levi’s Stadium was the first professional sports stadium to receive LEED Gold certification in 2014, at a time where a focus on green building practices was becoming an industry standard. This analysis aims to determine what avenues the project team employed to ensure certification, including various standout features and strategies. Additionally, the study investigates the scorecard used to award points towards LEED certification, highlighting categories emphasized in design and construction and those …

Mytrials: Clinical Trial Application Concept, Katie Hollister

Graphic Communication

A clinical trial’s success is dependent upon whether a patient attends their highly-structured clinical trial visit schedule, which may include both in-person clinic visits and virtual check-in visits. MyTrials is a clinical trial journey app prototype that enables patients to schedule, reschedule, and attend join their in-person or virtual clinic visits. This product seeks to reduce the burden that scheduling places on the patient, and provides trial-provided resources and a daily and weekly timeline to help patients navigate their clinical trial journey.

Memory Surf: The Surfing App, Lorenzo Quaid Sison

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

Surfing has a very special place in my heart—my dad taught me, my younger brother, and my younger sister at a young age. Since then, the sport has deeply enriched my appreciation for nature and allowed me to better connect with friends.

One late afternoon I was sitting in the water on my board with two of my best friends, watching the rich sunset colors melt into the water; a sea otter was floating on his back next to us, cracking a shell open on his stomach. Then, suddenly, a few feet away, we saw a pod of dolphins leap …

Baja Sae Semi-Active Suspension, Philip Pang, Stassa Cappos, Harrison Hirsch, John Deboer

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review (FDR) Report outlines the senior design project of the Baja SAE Semi-Active Suspension group, which includes mechanical and electrical engineering students at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. This document compiles the Baja SAE Semi-Active Suspension senior project team’s research and development of a semi-active suspension system for the Cal Poly Racing Baja SAE racecar. The goal is to design a system that adjusts the damping constant of the racecar’s spring-damper suspension while the vehicle is being driven in order to improve vehicle dynamics and driver comfort. None of the semi-active dampers that exist on …

Feverdots, Kameryn Laureano, Heidi Silk, Rita Grigorian

Biomedical Engineering

FeverDots are wearable temperature sensitive stickers that change color from black to pink at 99°F when placed on the temple or forehead. The objective of this project was to develop an efficient manufacturing method for FeverDots, and manufacture a device along with it. To create the FeverDots manufacturing device, the full design process was executed. The team went through a thorough ideation phase before ultimately defining and specifying the scope of the project.

The key customer requirements of this device include that it is lightweight, portable, durable, simple to assemble, easy to use, and able to generate uniform ink and …

Astm Test Fixture For Spinal Screws, Sarah K. Pickering, Matthew W. Rowen, Kaajal N. Khanna, Thomas A. Sunding

Biomedical Engineering

This document is an overview report of the Cal Poly Senior Project ASTM Test Fixture for SeaSpine orthopedic bone screws. The main application of orthopedic screws is to fasten implants directly to the bone structure, enhancing structural integrity. Testing for breaking angle, insertion torque, removal torque, axial pullout strength, and self-tapping force as specified in the ASTM F543 Annexes provides the FDA with vital screw mechanics and ensures manufacturing uniformity. The test system is comprised of custom and off the shelf components allowing for interchangeability, in case of part failure, and a low overall cost. It is mechanically capable of …

System Performance Model And Control System For A Small-Scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine, Niko Banks

Master's Theses

Predicting the performance of wind turbines is a key part of the turbine design process and operation, as predictive models play a large role in determining potential power output and efficiency at different operating conditions to help maximize production. On small-scale wind turbines performance models become more complex, as the rotor aerodynamic performance depends not only on the tip speed ratio, but also on the flow Reynolds number. An accurate predictive model that includes this behavior on small-scale wind turbines can be used to find the optimal operating conditions for power output, and is also a critical component of the …

Evaluation Of Cost-Effective Alternative Designs For Rural Expressway Intersections, Jonathan Howard

Master's Theses

Despite numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection design, its implementation remains uneven and close to zero in some large states such as California. This research provides a comprehensive framework to estimate the operational and safety performance of future RCUT designs in California. The framework is demonstrated for five intersections located on high-speed rural expressways in California using VISSIM microsimulation models to measure operational performance for each intersection including the base condition with the existing Two-Way Stop-Controlled (TWSC) intersection and two RCUT designs. To evaluate future safety performance, the microsimulation models were further utilized to compile …

The Design, Construction And Analysis Of A Large Round Bale Handling Implement, Garrett J. Forbes

Master's Theses

To entice a small-scale hay producer to purchase equipment that will improve their hay hauling operation, a more cost effective and more universal solution must be developed. The objectives of this project are to develop and test a prototype large round bale handler. The prototype was built to industry standards, using modern electronic controls and the latest design and fabrication methods. The prototype makes use of an existing trailer and by doing so can be a less expensive method of hauling hay when compared to other equipment currently on the market. While the combination of the prototype bale handler and …

Investigation Of Green Strawberry Detection Using R-Cnn With Various Architectures, Daniel W. Rivers

Master's Theses

Traditional image processing solutions have been applied in the past to detect and count strawberries. These methods typically involve feature extraction followed by object detection using one or more features. Some object detection problems can be ambiguous as to what features are relevant and the solutions to many problems are only fully realized when the modern approach has been applied and tested, such as deep learning.

In this work, we investigate the use of R-CNN for green strawberry detection. The object detection involves finding regions of interest (ROIs) in field images using the selective segmentation algorithm and inputting these regions …

Impact Of Teaching Practices And Communication Climates On Participation In Computer Science Education, Jackie Krone

Master's Theses

One way to understand teaching is to view it as a people process rather than a presentation of knowledge. It follows that the role of an educator often extends beyond the primary subject matter and into the realm of classroom management. With this in mind, our research aimed to capture the various teaching practices, participation patterns, and communication climates that occur in virtual computer science classrooms. We sought to answer the following research questions related to virtual computer science classrooms at our institution: Who participates in virtual computer science classrooms, and is participation proportional to student demographics? Is there any …

Integration Of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy For Multichannel Cell Culture Measurement, Conard Chan

Master's Theses

ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY (EIS) has been widely used to study the electrical properties of biological material due to its non-invasive nature and experimental reliability. However, most of the precision impedance analyzers used in EIS only provide single- or two-channel measurements which are inadequate for larger-scale multiplexed measurements, such as those found in modern microfluidic cell culture experiments. The Biomedical Microsystems Laboratory has developed a 16-channel cell culture platform with integrated electrode arrays for monitoring cell growth and electrical properties (i.e., the so-called “electrical phenotype”). In this paper, a system consisting of a 16-channel solid-state analog multiplexer (MUX)paired with a low-cost, …

Characterization, Design, And Optimization Of Dual-Purpose Wind Turbines And Frost Protection Fans, Ethan Narad

Master's Theses

This thesis report outlines the creation of a MATLAB tool to design reversible machines that can function as both wind turbines and as agricultural frost protection fans. Frost protection fans are used to prevent crop loss during radiative freeze events during which a temperature inversion is present. Such a dual-purpose machine fundamentally has the constraint that it must use symmetric airfoils, so a suite of tools for automatically designing an optimized wind turbine blade with symmetric airfoils using the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory approach is presented. The BEM code is then re-derived and adapted for use with a frost …

Me 343 Heat Transfer Laboratory, 6th Edition

Mechanical Engineering Lab Manuals

Welcome to the documentation used to describe and conduct ten heat transfer experiments located in the Thermal Sciences Laboratory in Building 13, Room 203, at Cal Poly State University. All of the experiments are designed to illustrate many of the concepts that are presented in undergraduate thermodynamics and heat transfer classes. The first objective of each lab is to provide students with hands-on experience with thermal science experiments. This includes working with standard facilities and instrumentation commonly found in thermal science laboratories. The second objective of each lab is to learn how to use experimentally collected data to either validate …

Reverse Engineering And Enhancement Of Automobile Infotainment System, Cole Brinsfield

Electrical Engineering

In 2011, luxury cars were released with displays built into the center. With modern computing power and technology such as Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, these older infotainment systems degrade the value of cars that are otherwise comparable to 2021 models. This project upgrades the infotainment system of one such car, a 2011 Infiniti G37. Through use of an additional microcomputer in the car, an infotainment upgrade can be achieved. This upgraded infotainment adds navigation, wireless audio, and data display capabilities to the car, while maintaining the functionality of the stock infotainment. While customized for the 2011 Infiniti G37, the …

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. …

An Analysis Of Thermal Comfort Perception In Cal Poly's Math & Science Building, Pouria Ali Fariborzi

Master's Theses

Since Americans, on average, spend approximately 90% of their time indoors according to the EPA, it is crucial to provide room occupants with the best, most comfortable, and healthiest possible environment, which is known as Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). This thesis aims to identify how we can provide comfortable learning environments to improve student success. To determine the best possible environment for occupants, a model of the Math & Science Building was developed, validated, and modified using DesignBuilder. In addition, we compared thermal comfort surveys to actual measured conditions for some classrooms. Analysis indicates that students prefer a cooler thermal …

Gaylord Produce Removal Machine, Marcus Takashi Hirose Lee, Jacob Michael Perlman, Carissa Abigail Kamm, Mark Misao Loera

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review Report outlines the senior design project that began Winter Quarter of 2021 at California Polytechnic State University. Our team consists of three mechanical engineers and a general engineer, working together to design, build, and test a product for Alameda County Food Bank. The goal of the final product is to relieve volunteers and employees of tedious manual labor and increase efficiency during the removal of produce from large Gaylord containers. This document describes background research, the objectives of the project, chosen concept design, analysis and initial prototyping of said concept, the final design, and verification prototype …

3-In-1 Medical Lancet, Jonathan J. Panella, Gage Vogtlin, Marissa Koski, Benjamin Neyland

Mechanical Engineering

First responders need a quick, sterile, and convenient way to sample blood for glucose testing because glucose levels are a vital metric in assessing time-critical emergency situations. The blood sampling process consists of pre-sterilizing the sample site on the skin with an alcohol pad, pricking the skin with a lancet, and lastly, after sampling, putting a bandage over the prick site. The scope of this project is to design a device which integrates and streamlines the use of the three sub-processes (sterilization, lancing, and bandaging) while upholding the necessary requirements of a single-use medical device and considering other factors which …

Medial And Lateral Tibiofemoral Contact Forces For Individuals With High Body Mass Index In Gait And Cycling Training, Reymil Fernandez

Master's Theses

The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage, is correlated with the rise in obesity. The rising rates of obesity in children and adults highlight the need for identifying a sustainable physical activity that promotes fitness while mitigating initiation and progression of osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to determine an effective rehabilitation and lifelong fitness sustainment exercise regimen that minimize risk of osteoarthritis in individuals with high body mass index (BMI). The aim was to examine knee medial and lateral contact forces in gait and cycling training. Gait at self-selected …

Triangular Cosserat Point Element Method For Reducing Soft Tissue Artifact: Validation And Application To Gait, Jake Edward Deschamps, Stephen Klisch

Master's Theses

Human motion capture technology is a powerful tool for advancing the understanding of human motion biomechanics (Andriacchi and Alexander, 2000). This is most readily accomplished by applying retroreflective markers to a participant’s skin and tracking the position of the markers during motion. Skin and adipose tissue move independently of the underlying bone during motion creating error known as soft tissue artifact (STA), the primary source of error in human motion capture (Leardini et al., 2005).

(Solav et al., 2014) proposed and (Solav et al., 2015) expanded the triangular Cosserat point element (TCPE) method to reduce the effect of STA on …

Developing A Light Curve Simulation Tool For Ground And Space-Based Observations Of Spacecraft And Debris, Andrew T. Ochoa

Master's Theses

A light curve is a plot of brightness versus time of an object. Light curves are dependent on orbit, attitude, surface area, size, and shape of the observed object. Using light curve data, several analysis methods have been developed to derive these parameters. These parameters can be used for tracking orbital debris, monitoring satellite health, and determining the mission of an unknown spacecraft.

This paper discusses the development, verification, and utilization of a tool that simulates light curve data. This tool models ground-based observations, space-based observations, self-shadowing geometry, tumbling debris, and controlled spacecraft. The main output from the tool is …

An Analysis Of Camera Configurations And Depth Estimation Algorithms For Triple-Camera Computer Vision Systems, Jared Peter-Contesse

Master's Theses

The ability to accurately map and localize relevant objects surrounding a vehicle is an important task for autonomous vehicle systems. Currently, many of the environmental mapping approaches rely on the expensive LiDAR sensor. Researchers have been attempting to transition to cheaper sensors like the camera, but so far, the mapping accuracy of single-camera and dual-camera systems has not matched the accuracy of LiDAR systems. This thesis examines depth estimation algorithms and camera configurations of a triple-camera system to determine if sensor data from an additional perspective will improve the accuracy of camera-based systems. Using a synthetic dataset, the performance of …

Printed Circuit Board Design And Layout For Hobbyists, Engineers, And Students, Michael A. Derrenbacher

Master's Theses

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are a ubiquitous element of virtually every electronic system manufactured world-wide. It is not a stretch of the imagination to say that if it’s electronic, there is a PCB in it. PCBs are necessary tools for electronics work, and tools need to have instructions. For better or worse, PCB knowledge is a deep and wide ocean. There is much to cover for even a surface level understanding, and there are deep areas rich in technical expertise. Navigating the ocean of knowledge is treacherous; common knowledge of yore can be downright dubious now. PCB manufacturing and electronics …

Chess Piece Detection, Craig Reid Belshe

Electrical Engineering

This project determines the positions of each piece on a physical chessboard, so that a computer can record a game of chess by noting down the piece positions at the end of each turn. It determines each move so that the game can be replayed later without watching actual footage. The project allows for easy viewing of past games. An image of the chessboard is analyzed to detect each square on the board, and each piece's location. This is then done for each turn, so that the system can keep track of an entire game.

Ac/Dc Led Light Bulb Adaptor With Internal Rechargeable Batteries, Esteban A. Rubio, Matthew R. Delaby

Electrical Engineering

To make a sustainable product and provide a temporary source of lights on during emergencies, this project aims to create a small unit that can be attached to a light bulb of any variety and connect it to a socket. Within the device is a rechargeable battery that, when the device is not connected to an 120V AC, 240V AC, or 48V DC power source, will power the light for a short period of time. The battery can be charged during the standard operation of the device and can be powered by the US and EU standard outlet voltages as …