Engineering Commons^™

Skip The Grid: Delivering Power To The Navajo Nation, William Jacob Bellios

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bring sustainable, off-grid power solutions to isolated communities facing significant challenges, such as the Navajo Nation. This collaborative effort involved an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) SOLV Energy, and Heart of America (HOA). Due to the vast and dispersed nature of the reservation, a historical lack of government investment, and the severe impact of COVID-19 on the community, many homes are without electricity. This project aimed to address these issues by installing Goal Zero solar panels, battery systems, and lighting in 24 homes of …

Understanding The Behavior And Risk Tolerance Of Future Construction Industry Leaders, Mateo Daniel O'Sullivan

Construction Management

A long persisting detriment to the construction industry is the impact of alcohol, substance abuse, and gambling throughout the field. Many workers fear the repercussions of missing work and push through smaller, manageable pain, leading to injuries and further pain as they age. This causes a heightened usage of opiates throughout the industry to stay at work without bothering your company. Additionally, many young project engineers are not used to the demand of long hours every week and look for vices to relieve stress. While there is plenty of data on the construction industry overall, this study aims to learn …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Students, Colette Burd

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an annual joint initiative facilitated by the non-profit Heart of America involving California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students and faculty, and SOLV Energy. The Skip the Grid project brings power and lighting to Navajo Nation families with school-age children by installing a self-contained solar battery system. Completed from March 24th through March 28th of 2024, this year the Skip the Grid project brought photovoltaic energy systems with solar panels, a battery, lights, and outlets to 24 homes, benefiting over 100 students in the Consolidated School District within the Navajo Nation. For the …

Son Care Foundation – Lean To Shade Structure Design And Construction, Ryan Joseph Mccann

Construction Management

This paper discusses the design and construction of a lean-to-shade structure built for the Son Care Foundation in San Luis Obispo. The Son Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises guide dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD. This shade structure is 16 feet long and 6 feet wide, its height slopes from 9 feet in the front down to 8 feet in the back creating a roof pitch of 2:12. The sheet metal roof also has an overhang of approximately 1 foot. As requested by the client, the shade structure was designed to fit the aesthetic of …

Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks

Construction Management

The construction industry is known for its demanding nature, often leading to significant mental health challenges among its workforces. This study investigates mental health issues prevalent in construction, focusing on identifying key stressors and potential protective factors. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with a survey distributed to construction professionals. The survey gathered data on job satisfaction, stress, coping mechanisms, and the availability and utilization of mental health resources. Results indicated high levels of job dissatisfaction and stress, with respondents citing poor communication, excessive work hours, and lack of control over their roles as primary stressors. …

Electrical Design For Moringa Leaf Dryer, Jake Weiss

Construction Management

The objective of this project is to provide a methodology to the electrical scope of mechanical leaf dryers. This dryer was particularly designed for an off-grid farm in New Longoro, Ghana in which resources and materials are limited. The electrical system must be designed so that it works with motors, variable frequency drives, worm gears, and other materials that could be sourced in Ghana. The system should also draw minimal power so that remaining photovoltaic energy could be utilized on the farm. The system should be simplistic and repeatable for other farmers to utilize. By using both a numerical analysis …

Exploring California Residents’ Perspectives On Solar Panel Viability For Residential Properties, Alecsander Gregg

Construction Management

The qualitative research conducted in this study aims to analyze the overall consensus of feelings and attitudes from California residents towards photovoltaic systems being installed on to their properties. The intended audience for this study are for stakeholders in the renewable energy markets, and more specifically in California’s solar panel market. Additional audiences for this study may be for additional or other research regarding solar panel or photovoltaic technology specifically within the state of California. Through a Google Forms questionnaire distributed via email, participants provide insight on their thoughts and feelings regarding certain aspects of solar panels on properties that …

Superintendent Skill Sets In Both Heavy Civil Construction And Commercial Construction, Tyler Hill

Construction Management

This paper investigates the distinct skill sets required for superintendents in both heavy civil and commercial construction industries through qualitative research, focusing on interviews with industry professionals. It identifies key differences in the roles, such as the emphasis on field experience for heavy civil superintendents, who often advance through the trades, versus the necessity for broader technical skills and higher education for commercial superintendents. This paper gathers insights from interviews with superintendents, conducted through personal and professional connections, focusing on their experiences and key industry differences. Despite these distinctions, the research reveals commonalities across both sectors, including the importance of …

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 …

Effect Of Pismo Clams As Partial Fine And Coarse Aggregate Replacement On Workability And Compressive Strength Of Concrete, Alan Munoz Pille

Construction Management

Concrete has been utilized for ages. Unfortunately, over the hundreds of years there has been little development in the applications of new aggregate materials. The world is moving towards a sustainable way of living and as a result seashells have come into the mix. Pismo Clams are a native species to San Luis Obispo County. This marine species has the possibility of becoming a partial aggregate replacement for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. The results of prior studies indicate a possible application of seashell use in concrete. This paper evaluates the workability and compressive strength of concrete containing fine …

Thinking Styles In The Built Environment, Jaden A. Green

Construction Management

Effective communication in the built environment is crucial for project success, information relay, goal alignment, error prevention, and safety. Diverse parties, including general contractors, architects, engineers, and subcontractors, bring varying Thinking Styles to the table, as defined by Harrison and Bramson. These styles—Synthesist, Idealist, Pragmatist, Analyst, and Realist—impact collaboration and conflict within projects. This study aims to explore where thinking differs among these parties and the congruity of Thinking Styles within each group. Results of this study indicate a predominant Realist Thinking Style among general contractors and subcontractors with subcontractors equally leaning towards Analyst. Engineers, although expected to be Analysts, …

The Second Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Katie Chriss

Construction Management

This paper details the development and implementation of the second annual Hasslein CAED Collaborative student competition. This competition engages students from all five majors within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) in a Request for Proposal-style challenge. CAED includes students from Architecture, Architectural Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture. Although these fields are closely connected in professional practice, there are limited opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within the college. The competition is built on research by Greta Stout, class of 2022, which highlighted the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration at Cal Poly SLO, and the first …

Communication Challenges And Lessons Learned For An International Research And Development Project, Ryan Fehrenbach

Construction Management

This paper discusses the importance of communication for an International Research and Development project given the timeline it takes to accomplish. With a Cal Poly team of 5 students, 2 professors as advisors, an off-campus external advisor, and the Moringa Connect team in Ghana, many forms of communication were utilized and documented throughout the duration of the project. For a project of this magnitude, it was crucial to establish clear forms of communication from the first discussions of the project for both the internal Cal Poly team and the external team in Ghana. Implementing shared documents such as a deliverable …

Construction Wellness: Analyzing Mental Health Issues And Solutions For Construction Workers, Joshua Franks

Construction Management

The construction industry is known for its demanding nature, often leading to significant mental health challenges among its workforces. This study investigates mental health issues prevalent in construction, focusing on identifying key stressors and potential protective factors. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with a survey distributed to construction professionals. The survey gathered data on job satisfaction, stress, coping mechanisms, and the availability and utilization of mental health resources. Results indicated high levels of job dissatisfaction and stress, with respondents citing poor communication, excessive work hours, and lack of control over their roles as primary stressors. …

Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo- Phase 1: Preconstruction, Layout, Material Procurement, Hunter Froud, Aleena Panchal

Construction Management

This essay outlines the thorough preconstruction procedure that went into building a pavilion in the university's Leaning Pine Arboretum. Every step that our team took, from the preliminary surveying phase to the foundation laying prior to frame, is painstakingly planned and carried out. The main objective is to create a dynamic area that effortlessly combines education and recreation; it should be both a lively meeting place and a haven for students to study under cover. The team took a calculated risk to make sure our pre-construction phase was successful. This included carrying out thorough quantity takeoffs, keeping lines of communication …

Drone Applications In Residential Construction, Leo Geiger

Construction Management

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have revolutionized various industries since their creation, particularly in construction. Originally used for military and recreational purposes, drones began to find their place in construction in the early 2010s, primarily for surveying and mapping. While tons of research has been conducted on drones' capabilities in surveying, there is a gap in studies focusing on their applications for general contractors, particularly in large-scale developments. Five interviews were conducted, three with general contractors who have integrated drone technology into their teams and two drone companies that provide subcontracted drone services. Through these interviews, the primary applications …

Lab Exercise For Cm 239: Ground Penetrating Radar, Logan R. Erickson

Construction Management

This senior project focuses on the utilization of ground penetrating radar in the Construction Management department’s course curriculum. The lab exercise detailed below will be incorporated into the curriculum to expose students to as many pieces of surveying equipment as possible. General surveying knowledge is a fundamental skill that employers look for in their new hires, and having an expansive knowledge base will help students succeed in the field. Being able to interpret underground radar scans will invariably benefit students entering all sectors of the construction industry. The piece of equipment that will be acquired by the CM department is …

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 …

Tmha Parking Lot Project, Steven Hickman, Jack Gugale

Construction Management

The Transitional Mental Health Association (TMHA) parking lot project in Edna, California, aimed to construct a 4,400 SF decomposed granite (DG) parking lot for the TMHA’s Youth Treatment Program (YTP). TMHA’s YTP involves giving children in a transitional housing state a safe and welcoming place to live while addressing the problem of unhoused children in San Luis Obispo County. This initiative involved extensive grading, forming, surveying, and installing the necessary infrastructure to ensure both functional and aesthetic improvements for the facility. The project was meticulously planned and executed during the Spring, 2024 quarter, with a budget of approximately $4,285. The …

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 …

Restoration Of The Cantilever Deck In Poly Canyon, Calvin S. Morgan, Calvin P. Vigeant, Roger G. Biddle

Construction Management

This interdisciplinary project aims to restore the Cantilever Deck in the Experimental Structures Laboratory back to an operational condition. As of Spring 2023, the deck has fallen into a state of disrepair and has been deemed structurally unsound by the university. The structural disrepair is concentrated around the wooden beams underneath the deck, but the handrails and overall color of the assembly have also fallen to levels deemed undesirable. The Restoration will remedy all these issues as well as guarantee that our repairs will last long into the future. This project is an interdisciplinary effort, the team consists of ARCE …

San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Farm Chicken Coop Construction, Tara R. Keene

Construction Management

This paper covers the construction process by a team of students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to provide a chicken coop for the San Luis Obispo High School FFA Farm. First initiated in Fall 2023, the project will replace the existing temporary chicken coops with a larger and more functional structure to house over 10 chickens. This paper focuses on the construction phase, but also briefly touches on the design and pre-construction phases. Through meetings with the client, the team of students developed a design that met the high school’s criteria and needs. Key features …

Senior Exit Interview, Brendon Pedro Duran

Construction Management

The goal of this project was to provide graduating seniors in construction management a means to share their opinions on the department and offer potential solutions that could improve the student learning experience. Prior to COVID, the senior exit interview filled this need, but it was run by faculty and has not been repeated since 2021. The discussion was structured to cover the three topics that constitute the student experience: curriculum, student-run clubs and teams, and industry recruitment. Prior to the event, a dozen in-person interviews were conducted with graduating seniors to better understand what topics should be included in …

Ace Mentor Program - Central Coast Chapter, Brayden Samuel Groshart

Construction Management

For my senior project, I established a chapter of the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) Mentor Program in San Luis Obispo, California. This program provides high school students with hands-on experience and exposure to careers in the architecture, construction, and engineering industries. The program spanned eight weeks, balancing theoretical knowledge and practical application. The curriculum began with sessions on the fundamentals of architecture, engineering, and construction. In order to expose the students to real world practices, we organized tours of an architecture firm, an engineering firm, and an active construction site. These visits allowed students to engage with professionals, observe …

Slo Water Treatment Facility Grill Retrofit, Liam Dolan

Construction Management

The San Luis Obispo Water Treatment Facility is a vital facility that provides water to all of San Luis Obispo. The facility runs twenty-four hours a day and constantly has long shifts for those who work there. The water treatment facility has a small, rusted Santa Maria grill that is rarely used because of its condition, and they were in need of a new grill that employees could use to make lunches. The water treatment facility has plans to build an outdoor dining space for employees, and my goal for this retrofitted grill project is to help enhance that space …

Commercial Construction Recruitment Preferences, Simon Ingram

Construction Management

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Construction Management at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo are provided with a wide array of opportunities for both social and professional activities. Often students are aware of the sector of the construction industry they would like to pursue after their degree is obtained but are unsure of what experiences or skills make them competitive recruiting candidates. This research focuses specifically on Commercial Construction companies to provide sector specific recruitment preference data. The purpose of the research is to provide students pursuing a full-time position in commercial construction with a roadmap …

Construction Of Lightly Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall And Footings, Luke Jackson Method

Construction Management

This paper details the construction of two cast in place foundations as well as a lightly reinforced cast in place wall. The project, located inside the high bay, provides the Architectural Engineering (ARCE) department with an opportunity to test Fiber Reinforced Polymer wrap as a retrofitting option for walls dating back to pre-1980s. Due to site conditions, and project design, this project required extensive planning and communication within our team, faculty advisors, and shop technicians. This paper will discuss the phasing of construction and procurement of material that was required for the completion of this project. It also aims to …

Coolsplint: Inflammation Reduction Accessory, Laura C. Denney, Winston H. Giang, Aanchal Singh

Biomedical Engineering

This document outlines a project sponsored by Elizabeth Mentel and Michael Clausson that addresses the shortcomings in current splinting options, particularly for wrist fractures in elderly patients. Stakeholders include clinicians, patients, and emergency medical technicians. Multiple improvements can be made to current splinting options to help alleviate inflammation along with splint versatility, affordability, accessibility, and ease of use. After determining the critical customer requirements, the primary objective of this project was to find a way to manage inflammation. The project explores existing splinting solutions and proposes a new design that utilizes cooling rods to reduce inflammation. The document reviews various …

Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnostic Device, Alisha Mitha, Karina Martel, Ayla Silbahar

Biomedical Engineering

Deep Vein Thrombosis is one of the leading causes of death in hospitals worldwide due its ability to form in patients who are sedentary after receiving care. There is a need for a DVT diagnostic device that can be worn constantly in order to alert medical professionals if a thrombosis is forming, which is the basis of this senior project. The current solutions are time consuming, and look for thrombi after they have fully formed. The goal of this senior project is to design and construct a device to constantly monitor in-hospital patients for early stage DVT and alert hospital …

Solar Farm, Parker Folsom, Jon Copeland, Julia Fay, Aiden Taylor

Mechanical Engineering

This senior project focused on creating a portable single-axis solar follower. The purpose of this solar follower is to allow for single-axis tracking of the sun at various points on our sponsor's property to gather information on solar power production. This data will be utilized to locate future sites for a utility-scale solar farm.

The final design of the solar follower comprises four subsystems: two legs, the frame, and the panel assembly. This modular design allows for portability and adjustability on challenging terrain. Following the design stage, our team purchased and manufactured all of the necessary components. All manufacturing work …