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Articles 1 - 30 of 132
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Student Solutions For Leaf Drying: A Collaborative Approach To Enhance Moringa Production In Ghana, Daniel Desoto
Student Solutions For Leaf Drying: A Collaborative Approach To Enhance Moringa Production In Ghana, Daniel Desoto
Construction Management
This paper expands on a project that seeks to address the need for an updated mechanical leaf drying system for local farmers in Ghana, Africa. Working with the local organization, Moringa Connect, we were able to connect and identify potential areas of improvement within the current existing system. This project involved aspects of design, fundraising, and the construction of a rotating metal hopper. This hopper was identified as a solution for a crucial pinch point currently seen in the processing of the leaves from a wet stage to the final dry product. The design and construction process had a multidisciplinary …
Lemur Enclosure, Joshua Mancio, Justin Krietzberg
Lemur Enclosure, Joshua Mancio, Justin Krietzberg
Construction Management
Zoo-to-You, a local wildlife conservation zoo, proposed a project to construct a new shelter for their lemurs due to the inadequacy of protection for extreme heat or cold weather of their previous enclosure. With three lemurs in residence, the zoo sought to create a spacious and insulated shelter that would provide protection from the elements while allowing connectivity to the adjacent enclosures. Situated amidst two existing circular cages with a gap in between, the project presented unique site conditions on a concrete slab. The scope of the project encompassed estimating, design, material procurement, build-out, and owner turnover, with the objective …
Construction Software: Use, Selection, And Performance In Low-Bid Contracting, David R. Cazares
Construction Software: Use, Selection, And Performance In Low-Bid Contracting, David R. Cazares
Construction Management
The qualitative research included in this study evaluates the use, selection, and perceived gaps of current construction software suits in low-bid contracting. In addition, the data aims to provide merit to the correlation between construction software use and company performance. The intended stakeholders of this study include entrepreneurs in software development and construction, along with researchers looking to gather knowledge pertaining to this niche industry. Through a Google Forms questionnaire distributed via email, participants provide insight on the current status quo. The study’s responses show clear trends in the types of software currently in use and the subsequent reasons for …
Highlighting The Key Differences In Project Management When Using Mass Timber: Case Study, Kevin Krueger
Highlighting The Key Differences In Project Management When Using Mass Timber: Case Study, Kevin Krueger
Construction Management
Mass Timber or Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is structurally engineered wood designed to be used as the structural components of a building. As the Construction Industry shifts toward using more renewable materials, mass timber becomes more relevant. This paper presents a comprehensive case study focusing on the construction process innovations implemented in a recent mass timber project located in San Francisco. The project involves the construction of a secure facility for a prominent biotechnology company. This research aims to learn the innovative techniques and strategies that contributed to the successful completion of this unique project. Key stakeholders, including the project …
Development Of The New Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Catie Dines
Development Of The New Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Catie Dines
Construction Management
This paper outlines the development and execution of the new Hasslein CAED Collaborative student competition which engages students of all five majors in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design in a Request for Proposal style competition. CAED houses students studying Architecture, Architectural Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture. There is little opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration within the CAED, despite our future career paths being heavily intertwined. This competition followed research by Greta Stout, class of 2022, on the benefits and support of interdisciplinary collaboration at Cal Poly SLO in CAED. The competition is named after …
Creating A Demolition Estimate Lab Assignment, Alex Domine
Creating A Demolition Estimate Lab Assignment, Alex Domine
Construction Management
This senior project aims to create a Demolition Estimate Lab as part of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo's Demolition Topics Course, with the goal of enhancing construction education through practical experience in estimating demolition costs. The Lab will be equipped with industry-standard tools and software to simulate diverse demolition scenarios, covering site preparation, equipment requirements, waste disposal, labor needs, and environmental considerations. The project methodology entails extensive research and the integration of interactive learning activities. This initiative is expected to yield several benefits for students. Firstly, it will lead to improved learning outcomes by providing hands-on experience in estimating demolition …
Construction Panel Discussion At San Luis Obispo High School, Jake T. Ornellas
Construction Panel Discussion At San Luis Obispo High School, Jake T. Ornellas
Construction Management
The senior project idea for conducting a panel discussion presentation at San Luis Obispo (SLO) High School during a tutorial period was completed by Jake Ornellas and Morgan Conway. This paper provides details on the entire process of reserving a tutorial session at SLO High School, contacting and coordinating with trade representatives and university faculty, and executing the group panel discussion. The purpose of the project was to share and inform local high school students with the information regarding what careers in the different construction industry branches look like and what opportunities are there. The goal of this project was …
City Farm Of Slo Animal Feed Shed, Jacob Ryan Pizzifred
City Farm Of Slo Animal Feed Shed, Jacob Ryan Pizzifred
Construction Management
The City Farm of SLO is a local nonprofit for San Luis Obispo that functions as an education center for individuals looking to live more sustainably. This organization teaches different aspects of farming such as planting crops, taking care of them, how to care for a wide variety of farm animals, and maintain the health of the farm. To achieve all these objectives, facilities must be in place to ensure the correct number of materials are available. One lacking feature of this farm is the space to store animal feed. Before this project the food was stored outside subject to …
The Importance Of Implementing Safety Programs For Spanish-Only Workers In Mep, Izak J. Lozano
The Importance Of Implementing Safety Programs For Spanish-Only Workers In Mep, Izak J. Lozano
Construction Management
Hispanics make up 30% of the construction workers, the highest percentage of any non-Hispanic minority group. Unfortunately, evidence also suggests Hispanic and Latino workers with limited to no English language skills are not receiving an adequate amount of safety training which is a growing concern. A lack of safety training and language barriers on the jobsite are seen as the cause for Hispanic workers having 41.6% higher injuries and non-fatal injuries in construction as compared to non-Hispanics in 2020. Three contractors were interviewed about their safety training programs for Spanish-only workers to find what strategies were found to be effective. …
Tehachapi Mountain Trail Association – Trail Bridge Construction, Michael Bowman
Tehachapi Mountain Trail Association – Trail Bridge Construction, Michael Bowman
Construction Management
The Tehachapi Mountain Trail Association is a nonprofit organization which operates 32 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails year-round. The 650-acre property is located in the foothills above Tehachapi, CA and offers local residents and enthusiasts from around the area an area to exercise and enjoy nature. TMTA is able to operate through yearly memberships that allow the association to hold insurance as well as continue to maintain and build new trails year-round. After completing a separate project for TMTA in Winter 2022 for CM 420 Construction Service Learning, the President, Brandon Griffiths approached me with the idea of …
City Farm Slo Garden For All Accessible Planter Beds, Allison C. Wild
City Farm Slo Garden For All Accessible Planter Beds, Allison C. Wild
Construction Management
This paper outlines the design, coordination, and construction efforts to build the Accessible Planter Boxes for the City Farm SLO’s Garden for All. The Garden for All was a concept created by the City Farm SLO staff to meet the need for an accessible learning space for students. The full design for the Garden for All also included mobile benches and tables, a shade structure, and decomposed granite pathways that were completed by other students. This project included the construction of 6 raised planter beds of differing heights and designs. Each planter bed was approximately 10 feet long and varied …
Case Study: Uplifting The Interest Of Santa Maria High School Students Into The Construction Industry, Juan Zacarias Jr
Case Study: Uplifting The Interest Of Santa Maria High School Students Into The Construction Industry, Juan Zacarias Jr
Construction Management
The central coast of California, has not been a historically proclaimed region that produces large construction projects. The area is well known for other industries, such as the agriculture industry. It is an area that continues to grow interest and persuade these high school students into. Over the years, construction has been growing in the area and can be perceived through the development projects happening in the Central Coast region. Various general contractors have made a move into the central coast looking into expanding their company. This can potentially generate various employment opportunities. This qualitative case study aims to examine …
Construction Panel Discussion At San Luis Obispo High School, Morgan P. Conway
Construction Panel Discussion At San Luis Obispo High School, Morgan P. Conway
Construction Management
Jake Ornellas and Morgan Conway conducted a panel discussion during the “tutorial” session on Monday, May 22, 2023, in the San Luis Obispo High School theater with three guest speakers, asking them questions about their respective organizations, then opening the floor for students to ask questions. Jake Ornellas and Morgan Conway also distributed flyers to students which included information about the organizations discussed and a survey to gauge student interest. This project was designed to expose high school students to opportunities they have in the construction industry as well as to create a connection between Cal Poly Construction Management and …
Integration Of Autonomous Equipment In The Heavy Civil Industry, Jack Ryan Gutierrez
Integration Of Autonomous Equipment In The Heavy Civil Industry, Jack Ryan Gutierrez
Construction Management
The heavy civil industry plays a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure landscape, with construction equipment serving as the backbone of any project. In an industry that is constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and safety, autonomous construction equipment has emerged as an innovative solution to help improve these factors on a heavy civil project. The purpose of this paper is to present an in-depth look at the current state of new technology involving autonomous construction equipment, and how prevalent it is in today's heavy civil industry. Qualitative interviews that were completed with a project manager, superintendent, and …
Dg Pathway For City Farm Slo, Kieran Barker
Dg Pathway For City Farm Slo, Kieran Barker
Construction Management
City Farm SLO is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to empower the next generation to live healthier, more prosperous lives through sustainable agriculture and farm-based education. Located in San Luis Obispo on the outskirts of San Luis Ranch, City Farm SLO’s latest project known as “A Garden for All” aims to create a fully accessible garden that can serve all the students in the community they serve. A key part of this project is the pathway connecting the various garden elements which were previously not accessible to wheelchairs and susceptible to water damage and flooding during rain …
Storage Shed Construction For Local Charity, Veda Maisie Guillermo
Storage Shed Construction For Local Charity, Veda Maisie Guillermo
Construction Management
This paper presents a project of the successful construction of a storage shed for Taproot Charities, a non-profit organization based in Templeton, California that aims to support young women furthering their education in Uganda. The project aimed to provide a storage solution for the organization's supplies and materials. The planning phase considered the available donated materials to determine the shed's dimensions and design features. This paper highlights the methods and materials used to build a storage shed and emphasizes the importance of communication during the construction process. During the construction process there were several weather-related project schedule setbacks which were …
Personal Protective Equipment Usage And Injury Type, Nathan Giannini
Personal Protective Equipment Usage And Injury Type, Nathan Giannini
Construction Management
Workers in the construction industry have many injuries both minor and life-altering. The industry suffers from injuries of all kinds such as falls, electrocution, and being struck by flying objects. To protect against this, workers wear certain types of personal protective equipment (PPE) on construction sites as a last line of defense. The equipment available such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, and hearing protection either protects against acute injuries (those that occur instantly) or chronic injuries (those that occur over time). This study investigates whether the type of injury that PPE protects against, acute or chronic, affects the …
Considerable Factors In Determining The Sustainability Benefits Of The Demolition Of An Existing Structure For A New Build And Of The Renovation Of An Existing Structure, Dev Boyd Hippenstiel
Considerable Factors In Determining The Sustainability Benefits Of The Demolition Of An Existing Structure For A New Build And Of The Renovation Of An Existing Structure, Dev Boyd Hippenstiel
Construction Management
The decision between whether to demolish or renovate a building comes down to which one will satisfy the owner’s needs and objectives while remaining within budget. This project will identify factors in determining sustainability benefits between a completely new construction project that demolishes the existing structure prior to rebuilding and a renovation project that reuses some or all of the existing structure. Research on construction data, interviews conducted with leading industry members, and journals that reported on both these strategies are presented. This project will examine considerations that reduce the demolition’s negative impact on the environment and improve the overall …
The Perceptions And Effects Of Nutrition On Worker Health And Productivity In Construction, Matthew Scott Howell
The Perceptions And Effects Of Nutrition On Worker Health And Productivity In Construction, Matthew Scott Howell
Construction Management
Construction workers often have poor dietary habits due to poor nutrition education, lack of nutritious food options, and social stigma. These habits often lead to health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease which can decrease productivity and put workers at risk of on-site injury. This preliminary study examines how nutrition impacts worker safety and productivity. A survey was distributed to six students involved in construction work for Cal Poly’s Residential Construction course. This survey identified their eating habits and inhibitors for healthy eating. Two meals, one with high nutritional value and one with low nutritional value, were given to …
Growing Grounds Farm, Santa Maria - Greenhouse Planter Bench Tables, Joseph Miller
Growing Grounds Farm, Santa Maria - Greenhouse Planter Bench Tables, Joseph Miller
Construction Management
This paper covers the planning, fundraising, design, construction, and installation associated with building the Growing Grounds Farm of Santa Maria greenhouse planter bench tables. Growing Grounds prides itself on nourishing the local community through a combination of horticulture therapy, and vocational training for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. The farm offers various opportunities for socialization and interaction with coworkers and customers. After meeting with the farm managers, Anna Wiens and Keith Bartlett, it was clear that this project was of the highest priority. Upon agreement of the project, the farm managers and I determined the future vision and …
Future Of Augmented And Virtual Reality In Construction, Cameron Ghoddoucy
Future Of Augmented And Virtual Reality In Construction, Cameron Ghoddoucy
Construction Management
A series of virtual design contractors were interviewed regarding the future involvement of augmented and virtual reality software integration with construction processes. Within the construction industry, VDC specialists rely on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) to create digital models that can be used to analyze the design of a building from all points of view. The interviewees responded to questions about software implementation advantages, and related user experiences. Six interviews were conducted, amongst three industry leading companies. Their assumptions of future AR and VR usage in construction were based on learned knowledge and prior field exploration. …
Feasibility Of Funding Construction-Related Projects With Cryptocurrencies, Farbod Pourdehmobed
Feasibility Of Funding Construction-Related Projects With Cryptocurrencies, Farbod Pourdehmobed
Construction Management
The current method of acquiring funds for construction projects consists of loans and/or a board of investors. With the emergence of the cryptocurrency industry in the past five to ten years, an influx of cash has been inserted into the market and is simply being held captive by government regulations. With development and construction being an attractive investment for most anyone, these "crypto billionaires" are insistent on financing possible projects. The issue lies within the construction industry and the possibly outdated financial system and whether it is capable of adhering to certain requirements that come with the usage of crypto …
Bilingual Advantages To The Construction Industry, Miguel A. Duran Jr.
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 …
Determining The Interest For A Drone Certification Course, Joel Alberto Ventura
Determining The Interest For A Drone Certification Course, Joel Alberto Ventura
Construction Management
The purpose of this study is to explore the interest of the Construction Management students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with drone usage and acquiring a drone license. This research paper analyzes students' prior skill sets that were gained from a past internship or class and if that exposure to drones is sufficient enough to apply those skills to the construction industry. Implementing a drone certification course will benefit both the students and companies in the construction industry. Within the construction industry there is a rise in popularity with using technology devices to track and collect data, …
Site Development Feasibility Study, Andy A. Tenekjian
Site Development Feasibility Study, Andy A. Tenekjian
Construction Management
A feasibility study in the world of construction is deemed as a preliminary due diligence process in which key components of a project are addressed to determine if the project is viable or not. These components are related to time and money, and the end goal of a feasibility study is to determine if the initial investment of time and money is worth the amount of future financial return. What deems a project successful in the preliminary stage is up for interpretation. Each developer and investor have their own return on investment threshold in a multi-family project like the one …
Techniques Against Language Barriers: A Company Case Study, Bryan W. Cruz
Techniques Against Language Barriers: A Company Case Study, Bryan W. Cruz
Construction Management
The United States construction industry employed approximately 10.8 million people in 2020. Of these 10.8 million, an estimated 3.3 million, or 30%, were Hispanic workers. On construction job sites, workers are exposed to numerous safety risks, including falls, struck-by incidents, and electrocution. Unfortunately, some Hispanics or workers with limited English language skills encounter language barriers which cause additional safety concerns. Language barriers impact their communication and comprehension abilities and, consequently, their safety. For example, workers who do not speak English do not benefit from safety training conducted purely in English; they also cannot read operation manuals for machinery and equipment …
Determining Student Interest For A Virtual Reality Safety Training Course, Courtney Martin
Determining Student Interest For A Virtual Reality Safety Training Course, Courtney Martin
Construction Management
The purpose of Cal Poly’s Construction Management Department is to provide students with the best education they can get so they can be prepared for the challenges they may encounter in their professional careers. This research paper analyzes students' prior knowledge of virtual reality (VR) and determines the interest in creating a Construction Management (CM) technical elective covering VR and safety training which can help educate and train students about safety, hazardous jobsite situations, and accident prevention measures. This paper also examines the advantages of a VR construction training course taught on campus compared to online training without VR. VR …
Using Extended Realities To Teach Construction Management, Ryan A. Duca
Using Extended Realities To Teach Construction Management, Ryan A. Duca
Construction Management
This project aimed to analyze the implementation of extended realities to teach construction management at the university level. Extended realities in this context are referring to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR); these are the two for which funding was received by Cavrnus. The foundation for this project started with the pre-existing lesson for the California Polytechnic State University’s (Cal Poly) residential construction class. The original lesson was constructed with the students learning the wood framing of a house by reading. While this is a suitable learning method for some it is not the best for all. This project …
Journeyman International: The Well Rusororo Project, Maranda F. Maliska
Journeyman International: The Well Rusororo Project, Maranda F. Maliska
Construction Management
The Well Rusororo Project is based in Kigali, Rwanda on the same property of the Light Church of Kabuga. The non-profit organization, Journeyman International has teamed up with the Africa Mission Alliance in an effort to create a community campus available to the public. This project has been broken up into two stages; the first is a renovation of two existing buildings totaling 500 square meters, and the second is a ground-up construction of a 3,000 square meter multipurpose center. For their project-based senior project, this student volunteered with Journeyman International to assist in the creation of the following deliverables …
Sustainable Concrete And Its Current Stance In The Construction Industry, Morgan Hailey Gawle
Sustainable Concrete And Its Current Stance In The Construction Industry, Morgan Hailey Gawle
Construction Management
Concrete is currently the second most consumed resource used in the world and the production of this material, mainly the production of cement, contributes to a little over 8% of carbon dioxide emissions globally. The concept of sustainable concrete is rapidly surfacing within the construction industry as environmental issues and concerns like global warming and climate change continue to worsen. Scientists have been and continue to consistently conduct studies to test if sustainable concrete is a possible solution to reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions that come straight from the construction industry. But some construction companies have concerns that …