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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Ada Code Education In The Construction Management (Cm) Curriculum, William Joseph Cefali Jun 2019

Ada Code Education In The Construction Management (Cm) Curriculum, William Joseph Cefali

Construction Management

The Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design is becoming an integral part of construction. On many jobsites, recent graduates may not have enough knowledge to adequately catch and fix ADA compliance problems before they become a critical issue. With nearly all students and graduates going to work on projects governed by this code, knowledge of these codes, where to find them, and how to apply them is essential for graduates. Construction Management students believe this information would be very valuable to learn in school, and critical information to help them with their careers when they enter the industry. …


Construction Outreach Event With Girl Scouts Of The Usa And Cal Poly Women In Construction, Melissa Mcgrath Jun 2019

Construction Outreach Event With Girl Scouts Of The Usa And Cal Poly Women In Construction, Melissa Mcgrath

Construction Management

For an industry that is struggling to find enough workers, the limited amount of women entering construction is proving to be a significant issue. Some of the major reasons for this are social norms and stereotypes that discourage young girls from entering traditionally male careers. Outreach events that present girls with more positive messages about their potential for starting a career in construction are beneficial for both the girls and the construction industry. Cal Poly’s Women in Construction Club (WIC) and Girl Scouts of the USA are two organizations that can aid this cause and inspire more girls to consider …


Viability Of Solar Power On Jobsites, Braden J. Levalley Jun 2019

Viability Of Solar Power On Jobsites, Braden J. Levalley

Construction Management

The use of solar energy has slowly been on the rise over the past few decades, the full potential of solar energy has not been realized in the realm of construction. Solar power in construction has been slow to catch on, as many of the upfront costs associated with solar power has created a feeling that investing in such systems will ultimately not be worth the investment. This paper attempts to address the issues of upfront costs, the willingness for contractors to invest in renewable energy both now and in the future, and will also identify possible uses for solar …


Journeyman International: Mornes Brieux Primary School, Owen T. Rice Jun 2019

Journeyman International: Mornes Brieux Primary School, Owen T. Rice

Construction Management

This project-based senior project is a collaboration between students from different schools and a non-profit organization, Journeyman International. The goal of this project is to build a primary school in Les Cayes, Haiti to give the kids there the opportunity to be in a safe and comfortable learning environment. The client on this project is the 610 group, they are an organization that focuses on sustainable community development through education, vocational training and microenterprise in communities in Haiti. This project entails 3 buildings with a total of 8 classrooms, a kitchen and dining area, bathrooms and a courtyard with playground …


Effects Of Supplemental Bid Documentation, Alexis M. Bynum Jun 2019

Effects Of Supplemental Bid Documentation, Alexis M. Bynum

Construction Management

As the complexity of construction projects increases, more work is being subcontracted out by general contractors who oversee the construction of the project. Research suggests that a variety of factors are impacting subcontractors when putting together a bid. These factors were considered in determining a proposed solution for simplifying the bid process. This case study attempts to analyze the bidding process of construction projects in order to improve the accuracy of bids. Traditionally, bid documents include plans and specifications. This study analyzes the effects of adding a scope of work, as ascertained by the general contractor for each trade, to …


Nonpayment Analysis For San Luis Obispo's Small Construction Firms, Connor D. Sullivan Jun 2019

Nonpayment Analysis For San Luis Obispo's Small Construction Firms, Connor D. Sullivan

Construction Management

The role of the small subcontractor often goes under-represented and over looked in the construction world, despite the high portion of the industry that is employed in this sector. This paper attempts to bring a problem that the small subcontractors face, non- and under-payment by its general contractor or owner. At what lengths will a small subcontractor with a very limited resource set go to receive missed payments? How often will they involve attorneys in disputes? Is the continued use of collections agencies worth the commission they charge? The number of subcontractors who will leave large sums of money un-contested …


Zero Emission Zero Waste Construction Sites In California Commercial Construction: A Case Study, Joseph E. Anderson Jun 2019

Zero Emission Zero Waste Construction Sites In California Commercial Construction: A Case Study, Joseph E. Anderson

Construction Management

Zero emission refers to the absence of waste products that pollute the environment or disrupt the climate from any engine, motor, process, or other energy source systems. CO2 emissions through equipment and machinery, along with toxic chemicals, carcinogens, ash and dust are founded most common in the Construction Industry. Although these findings may not raise an eyebrow, it is quite overlooked, and the numerical data is staggering. Zero waste is also examined in this paper—the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, recovery of products and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, …


Operations Constructed - Jobsite Material Delivery Website, Lorcan Yeung Jun 2019

Operations Constructed - Jobsite Material Delivery Website, Lorcan Yeung

Construction Management

Operations Constructed is a program a couple students developed to help enhance the material delivery process on-site through innovation. Through partnering a construction management student and a computer engineering student the team developed Operations Constructed which modernized the material delivery process. Through industry research, Cal Poly Entrepreneurship mentorship, and faculty input the team produced a program that is simplistic enough for the old-school construction industry. Presently many construction companies use white boards or excel sheets to schedule their material deliveries whereas Operations Constructed would provide an automated means of coordination, confirmation, and execution of the same deliveries. The final product …


Habitat For Humanity Global Village: Means & Methods Of Construction In Trinidad & Tobago, Garrett Landress Jun 2019

Habitat For Humanity Global Village: Means & Methods Of Construction In Trinidad & Tobago, Garrett Landress

Construction Management

Habitat for Humanity Global Village is a sector of Habitat for Humanity that focuses on aiding in the construction of homes for those in need around the world. Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago has been part of Habitat for Humanity Global Village for many years and aids people in need on the Island of Trinidad in the Southern Caribbean. This paper will discuss the construction of a small home for a woman whose family was disowned by her father due to her reluctance to uphold traditional Indian values. Subsequently the family was living in poverty and currently residing in …


Inception Through Inspection: Quality Control In The Simspon Strong Tie Materials Demonstration Lab, Allyson G. Forster Jun 2019

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 …


Confronting Retainage And Its Disruptive Effects On The Business Practices Of Commercial Concrete Subcontractors, Arlen Karl Hartoonian Jun 2019

Confronting Retainage And Its Disruptive Effects On The Business Practices Of Commercial Concrete Subcontractors, Arlen Karl Hartoonian

Construction Management

This paper aims to explore the extent of the damage that retainage is capable of inflicting on the financial health of commercial concrete subcontractors and strategies which can be utilized to mitigate or avoid damage to their financial health. The methodology implemented to conduct this exploration is a series of interviews with commercial concrete subcontractors. An analysis of these interviews in conjunction with a thorough literature review demonstrates that retainage does indeed impact financial health of commercial concrete subcontractor though the scale of the operation does make a difference in the severity of this impact. Whether or not the construction …


Haiti Transitional Home: Solar Panel System Design, Kasey Riese Hetzel Jun 2019

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 Jun 2019

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 …


The Renovation Of The Shops At Hilltop Into A "Mall Of The Future", Emma Rae Steenvoorde Jun 2019

The Renovation Of The Shops At Hilltop Into A "Mall Of The Future", Emma Rae Steenvoorde

Construction Management

Shopping centers are closing all over the United States due to the rise of ecommerce. The shopping experience is shifting and turning shopping centers into dining, leisure, and entertainment spaces. Owners of shopping centers are being forced to reinvent to stay relevant during this change. This paper will examine The Shops at Hilltop, a shopping center in the East Bay that was foreclosed upon and purchased by LBG Real Estate companies to be reinvented into a mixed-use regional hub. It will outline the background of the shopping center and the steps it took on deciding if it was worth the …


Incorporation Of A Leed Green Associate Exam Prep Course Into The Construction Management Tech. Elective Selection, Jason Gendron Jun 2019

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 …


Comparison Of Carbon Fiber And Fiberglass On Concrete Strength, Justin A. Baker Jun 2019

Comparison Of Carbon Fiber And Fiberglass On Concrete Strength, Justin A. Baker

Construction Management

The purpose of this paper is to compare two common polymers of the construction industry and determine if there are benefits of using them in concrete application to increase overall strength. The goal of the project is to complete a full experiment, utilizing concrete cylinders and beams to test the compressive and tensile properties of fiberglass and carbon fiber. This paper provides data from the experimentation of the compressive and tensile tests of carbon fiber and fiberglass to prove that these polymers are superior and aid in overall concrete strength. The experiment proved that carbon fiber is superior to fiberglass, …


Student Response To Traditional Fire Alarm Systems In The Cal Poly Yosemite Dorms, Adam F. Alviso Jun 2019

Student Response To Traditional Fire Alarm Systems In The Cal Poly Yosemite Dorms, Adam F. Alviso

Construction Management

What would you do if you were a student living on campus and you were burdened by an annoying fire alarm late at night? Though evacuating the building seems like the most logical and safe course of action, sleeping or studying for a big midterm may be a risk you are willing to take. Going back to grade school and up to your freshman year of college, we have been exposed to countless fire drills and false alarms. It is important to know the real facts on how students respond to fire alarms, the reason why they would respond, and …


The Sam100: Analyzing Labor Productivity, Andrew John Madsen Jun 2019

The Sam100: Analyzing Labor Productivity, Andrew John Madsen

Construction Management

The construction industry is one of the slowest when it comes to labor productivity. As a result, construction projects see an increase in duration and labor costs. New technologies are being introduced within the construction industry to increase labor productivity. It is becoming more and more important for the industry to adapt to these technologies. Among them are robots. The SAM100 is a brick-laying robot that can replace most of the masonry crew on a project. Utilizing this technology on masonry-heavy projects could have significant benefits. This paper will analyze the benefits and weaknesses of the SAM100 on the Jay …


Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Studying Spanish And Construction In Tandem, Daniel Joseph Eide Jun 2019

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Studying Spanish And Construction In Tandem, Daniel Joseph Eide

Construction Management

Does Spanish bilingualism have measurable fiscal value in the U.S. construction industry? Studying and becoming proficient in Spanish is feasible, affordable, and can be accomplished at Cal Poly in conjunction with a Construction Management major. In a dynamic industry that values versatile employees, where communication is key to success, the capability of speaking Spanish is a substantial value-add in the workforce. Using qualitative and quantitative data analysis, it is concluded that individuals who possess English and Spanish-speaking abilities in the U.S. construction industry can expect a 3 percent wage premium when compared to English-only speakers. This study weighs the costs …


Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Bridge House Remodel Project, Severin B. Elste Jun 2019

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Bridge House Remodel Project, Severin B. Elste

Construction Management

The Bridge House, located in Poly Canyon, was originally constructed in 1968. Its original purpose served as a seismic activity lab for Architectural Engineering (ARCE) students. I joined a team of 4 ARCE students, making this an interdisciplinary project. There have been a few other groups who have tried to complete this project but have always fallen short. With the calculations and structural drawings provided by the ARCE students, we had a design and plan to fabricate the hand railings. We have completed 13 handrails, with four already installed on the structure by another group, that have now replaced the …


Analysis Of Job-Sites In San Luis Obispo County Adapting To Unforeseen Wet Conditions, Ashley Jaylene Martinez Jun 2019

Analysis Of Job-Sites In San Luis Obispo County Adapting To Unforeseen Wet Conditions, Ashley Jaylene Martinez

Construction Management

Wet conditions are unpredictable factors that nonetheless, are estimated and incorporated onto a long term project schedule. Effective scheduling does mitigate the productivity of a job-site, however, when you factor in unforeseen wet conditions, it could result in schedule delays, material damages, and a discontent client. This paper presents an analysis on how job-sites adapted or were affected by the unpredicted amount of rain received in San Luis Obispo County. The initial findings, based on qualitative attitudinal research, are presented to show if schedules accounted for the amount of rain received, if their schedules were delayed, if material was damaged …


Applications Of Drone Technology With Bim To Increase Productivity, Jesse J. Sanchez Jun 2019

Applications Of Drone Technology With Bim To Increase Productivity, Jesse J. Sanchez

Construction Management

This paper looks directly at BIM and Drone Technology in today's age and how their integrative capabilities with one another can result in a highly productive construction atmosphere. There is an abundance of research for the topic, but no real-life examples. Webcor will serve as this example via case study. The research methodology for the project will come from interviews and a questionnaire featuring a project manager, superintendent, licensed flyer, BIM engineer, and cost estimator. The variety of interviews, will showcase the effects drone technology and BIM have on different sectors of a business. Themes that come out of these …


Solar Shingle Experience: Evaluating Their Value In Today's Market, Kevin R. Church Jun 2019

Solar Shingle Experience: Evaluating Their Value In Today's Market, Kevin R. Church

Construction Management

Solar technology has been on the rise in popularity in recent years and we are starting to see more of it across the US. As the technology and capabilities of photovoltaic (PV) cells advance, there has been an increase in the number of different product designs that incorporate PV cells. Building integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) products have been some of the most popular introduced to the market. In the last five years, one of these BIPV products, a solar system integrated into the roofing shingles of residential homes has been sensationalized and, according to a California solar installer, that has encouraged …


Agrihoods: The Sustainable Communties Of The Future, Ryan Jeffrey Hauser Jun 2019

Agrihoods: The Sustainable Communties Of The Future, Ryan Jeffrey Hauser

Construction Management

With a large call for sustainable methods in construction due to current consumer interest and worries over the environment, a growing movement has developed to answer this call. This project involves a case study on agrihoods; housing developments involving community farming. The research will be centered around the use of Freehold Communities’ in-progress 309-acre agrihood model located in Palm Springs, California known as Miralon. This, as well as information from independent third-party sources, will bring to light the numerous positive aspects involved in making communities’ sustainable though agrihood’s unique attributes. The project will touch on the possible negative aspects and …


Feasibility Of Utilizing Autonomous, Trenchless Tunneling Technology, Thomas Arthur Fuentez Jun 2019

Feasibility Of Utilizing Autonomous, Trenchless Tunneling Technology, Thomas Arthur Fuentez

Construction Management

The construction industry as a whole has not increased its productivity level as much as other industries in the world. Professionals are constantly trying to think of new ideas and methods to improve the efficiency of construction through new technology. One area in which productivity needs improvement, is in land development. Trenching for underground utilities and services uses a lot of time in a project’s schedule as well as costs which can be reduced with the use of autonomous, trenchless tunneling technology such as the “BADGER”, (RoBot for Autonomous unDerGround trenchless opERations). This technology is being designed to use a …


Mitigating Carbon Dioxide Emissions In The Cement Industry Through Carbon Capture And Storage, Nicholas J. Cramer Jun 2019

Mitigating Carbon Dioxide Emissions In The Cement Industry Through Carbon Capture And Storage, Nicholas J. Cramer

Construction Management

The cement industry is responsible for 7% of industrial energy use, the third largest energy consumer in the world. The industry is also responsible for 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions, the second largest industrial emitter. With current trends continuing, global cement usage will rise with population and urbanization. The low-carbon transition of the cement industry requires innovative technologies and producer cooperation. Carbon capture and storage, known as CCS, is a safe and sustainable solution to significantly reduce the amount being released into the atmosphere. Through CCS, carbon dioxide reacts with natural alkaline minerals, such as fly ash, to create …


Utilization Of Data Analytics In The Buyout Process, Andrew William Dowdle Jun 2019

Utilization Of Data Analytics In The Buyout Process, Andrew William Dowdle

Construction Management

This is a qualitative research project designed to analyze the feasibility of using data analytics in the buyout process. The research methodology for the paper is presented. A series of interviews with industry professionals were conducted to gather data for this paper. These interviews targeted various fields relating to the topic, including; data analytics, information systems, and construction management. Themes that emerged in these interviews include industry application, data collection, the buyout process, similar applications, and subcontractor evaluation. Insights into how data analytics in the buyout process would affect the industry are also present in this paper. These preliminary results …


Living Off The Grid: Preconstruction Process, Katrina S. Hasson Jun 2019

Living Off The Grid: Preconstruction Process, Katrina S. Hasson

Construction Management

This project-based senior project is the design and preconstruction work needed to complete the build-out of the interior of a van in order to become a livable space. This project includes a 3D model of the vans designed interior, a developed estimate approximating the project cost, and a tentative schedule for the construction. This project was created to provide others with the information needed to identify how it is possible to live off the grid and what the initial upfront costs may be. Ultimately, this project should serve as a case study to assist others who are interested in potentially …


Financial Feasibility Of Leed Certified Buildings For Developers And Investors, Erik P. Henriksen Jun 2019

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 …


Cal Poly Engineering East – Building 20, A Critical Analysis Of Mechanical Needs And Distribution Of Mechanical Resources, Rhea Bae Jun 2019

Cal Poly Engineering East – Building 20, A Critical Analysis Of Mechanical Needs And Distribution Of Mechanical Resources, Rhea Bae

Construction Management

Older buildings on the Cal Poly campus need renovation, particularly with the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (addressed as HVAC) systems in the classrooms. The HVAC units within the old buildings are obsolete, inefficient, and are most likely due for replacement. The Engineering East building, also known as Building 20, is an example of a campus building that requires a quality HVAC system. By upgrading the HVAC, the building conditions can be positively enhanced through better cooling and ventilation, allowing students in the labs and classrooms to have a better experience within the building. This paper details the methodology behind installing a …