Gis Cpd Geospatial Skills, Niamh O'Reilly

Case studies: Digital Education

The GIS CPD programme is delivered to people from industry wishing to develop their Geospatial skills in GIS. For many this is an important skill. Many organisations and companies encourage and pay for their staff to attend the programme and get the CPD Students gain important skills for managing, analysing and presenting geospatial data in a GIS environment. certificate. Students come from many different industries including local authorities, semi state bodies, National mapping agency, transport consultant practices, cable companies, environmental companies. The programme has been running for almost 30 years by my former colleague Eamonn Donnelly. Up until the pandemic …

Building Services Engineering March/April 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Framework For Integrating Industry Knowledge Into A Large Language Model To Assist Construction Cost Estimation, Prashnna Ghimire

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The construction industry generates a large amount of data across projects produced by digital devices, tools, and methods, and this volume is rapidly increasing. However, the industry lags behind in adopting data-driven technologies. On the other hand, the rapid advancement of generative AI (GenAI) in recent years, especially state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), shows great potential and has been increasingly adopted in many industries; however, the construction industry is behind in adoption. While academic studies have proposed various machine learning applications for construction, industry implementation has lagged due to a disconnect between these proof-of-concept developments and practical industry needs. Also, …

Key Characteristics Of Long-Lived Portland Cement Concrete Airfield Pavements In The United States Air Force Enterprise, Cameron J. Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force maintains a $30 billion portfolio of airfield pavements essential for national security. Despite their importance, budget constraints have limited average annual repair funding to $260 million over the past decade, requiring pavements to last significantly longer than their typical life span. This project addresses the central question: What design features or characteristics contribute to the longevity of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) airfield pavements? Utilizing data from AFCEC's Airfield Pavement Evaluation (APE) team and the PAVER sustainment management system, this study employed linear regression, logistic regression, and deep artificial neural network (ANN) modeling techniques to identify …

Green Building Information Modeling Framework For Sustainable Residential Development In Egypt, Mohamed Ahmed Nabawy Dr., Ahmed Gouda Mohamed, Ahmed Osama Daoud Dr.

Civil Engineering

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Green Building Information Modeling Framework for Sustainable Residential Development in Egypt

by Mohamed Nabawy *, Ahmed Gouda Mohamed , Israa Awad and Ahmed Osama Daoud * Construction Engineering and Management Programme, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, The British University in Egypt (BUE), El Sherouk City, Cairo 11837, Egypt * Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed. Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071035 Submission received: 20 January 2025 / Revised: 23 February 2025 / Accepted: 27 February 2025 / Published: 24 March 2025 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Building …

Maintenance Strategy And Budgeting Optimization For United States Air Force Facilities, Sophia C. Hirtle

Theses and Dissertations

Mission readiness in the United States Air Force (USAF) is critically dependent on the sustainment and maintenance of aging facilities. However, budgetary and manpower constraints have led to a significant backlog of deferred maintenance, estimated at $137 billion. To address these challenges, this research develops an optimization model that aids in prioritizing facility maintenance strategies within a fixed budget. The methodology incorporates existing USAF data from BUILDER, NexGenIT, and financial records to create a simulation-based optimization framework at the base level. The model evaluates four different maintenance strategies—replacement only, preventative maintenance only, corrective maintenance only, and a combination of preventative …

Calibrating Airfield Pavement Asset Management For A Changing Global Climate: A Case Study At Fairchild Air Force Base, Emily L. Worthy

Theses and Dissertations

Military airfields and civilian airports serve as foundational nodes in the global transportation network, enabling travel, economic growth, and the projection of national security. This study investigates the relationship between climate variables projected through climate change and pavement degradation, with a focus on Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB). Using principal component regression (PCR), the research integrates historical pavement condition index (PCI) data with climate variables, including snowfall, precipitation, freeze-thaw cycles, solar irradiance, and wind speed to develop a predictive model of pavement performance under future climate scenarios, Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5. These models, for both Portland …

Developing Core Competencies For The Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Management Career Field, David A. Rochester

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) relies on a highly trained and capable workforce to maintain and manage its infrastructure, ensuring mission readiness and operational effectiveness. However, the increasing complexity of asset management, aging infrastructure, and evolving global threats necessitate a structured approach to developing the competencies required for Air Force Civil Engineer Asset Managers. This research aims to identify, develop, and validate core competencies specific to this career field, utilizing a structured methodology that combines an Education Working Group (EWG) with a Delphi study. The study begins with an expert-led EWG to generate an initial list of competencies based …

Understanding The Underlying Trends In Us Construction Labor Wages: A Data-Driven Mixed-Method Computational Approach, Bahaa Chammout, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Precisely forecasting construction costs is crucial for maintaining financial stability for contractors and the broader construction sector. Nonetheless, this task has long been acknowledged as challenging. Recent global events and inflationary pressures have notably driven up construction labor expenses. While existing research examined labor shortages, there remains a gap in understanding the diverse labor wage trends. This paper addresses this research gap following a multistep methodology, which included: (1) gathering construction labor data from 1999 to 2023; (2) conducting trend and statistical analyses to discern the underlying patterns in labor trends; (3) employing clustering analysis to categorize construction occupations based …

Molecular Scale Investigations Of Interactions Between Pfas And Concrete, Eric E. Keeler

Theses and Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely referred to as “forever chemicals,” exhibit high environmental persistence and potential health risks due to their robust carbon-fluorine bonds. These substances are prevalent in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), used in industrial and military applications, and are known to contaminate environmental surfaces, including concrete. This study aims to characterize the molecular-level interaction energies of six PFAS species—PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHxA, 6:2 FTS, and PFBS—with calcium silicate, a key component of concrete, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) was determined for each of the interactions, revealing negative ΔG values for …

Quantifying The Impact Of Highly Corrosive Environments On Fsrm Budgets And Infrastructure Condition At Air Force Bases, Justin M. Weber

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) faces significant challenges in maintaining mission-critical infrastructure within highly corrosive environments, with annual costs exceeding $22.5 billion to combat corrosion. This thesis investigated the interplay between environmental severity, sustainment funding, and infrastructure performance. This research utilized Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) funding data, statistical analyses, and regression modeling, to evaluate how Environmental Severity Index (ESI) categories influence Base Condition Index (BCI) trends and the efficacy of the Facility Sustainment Model (FSM). The analysis revealed that installations in higher ESI categories required significantly greater investment per square foot to achieve comparable improvements in BCI. The …

Discovering Design Requirements For Next Generation Arctic Tension Fabric Shelters, Mark W. Mcveigh

Theses and Dissertations

Military operations to remote Arctic regions require large-span temporary shelters to house tactical aircraft and provide heated maintained spaces. However, the current System-50 Large Area Maintenance Shelters used by the United States Air Force and Department of Defense are inadequate for Arctic deployments. These shelters lack durability against extreme subzero temperatures, heavy snow accumulation, and high wind speeds. They also fail to address critical Arctic-specific design challenges including permafrost protection, foundation disruption caused by frost heaves, and efficient heating as a result of their inadequate thermal resistance properties. This research analyzed 20 years of climatological data from 8,399 weather observation …

Early-Phase Cost Estimation For Department Of Defense Construction Projects Via Artificial Neural Networks: Implications And Policy Recommendations For Artificial Intelligence Integration, Kobe T. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense lost over 500 million dollars between 2016 and 2024, partially due to poor early cost estimates resulting in cost overruns. practice for cost estimation relied on parametric techniques that incorporate historical data, subject matter experts in cost estimating, and predictive software applications. The main motivation for this study was to assess the viability of artificial neural networks as a means of providing a more accurate cost estimate in the early design phases of a construction project. The dataset initially contained approximately 48,000 data points from a database of various Air Force projects, including maintenance, repair, minor …

Proof Of Concept: Using Uas Technology To Accomplish Aerial Roof Inspections, Madison R. Fanning

Theses and Dissertations

With the growing use of simulation across industries, the digital twin remains an underexplored research area, particularly in emergency management and response. Its real-time updating capability is often overlooked due to the misconception that "digital twin" is merely a complex term for simulation. This paper highlights its distinctiveness through an evasion exercise involving two independent entities in a collocated environment. Using a highly integrated virtual environment (HIVE) and internet of things (IoT) devices, we link the physical system with an analytical simulation, demonstrating the impact of lag times in high-pressure scenarios. The computational model leverages agent-based modeling (ABM) and discrete-event …

Satisfaction And Retention Analysis Of A 4/10 Workweek In Construction, Daniel C. Choy

Construction Management

The traditional 40-hour workweek, structured as five 8-hour days (5/8), has been a long-standing standard in the American workforce since Henry Ford implemented it in 1922. However, in recent years, many industries, including construction, have begun reevaluating this model to determine whether alternative schedules could offer better efficiency and employee satisfaction. One of the most discussed alternatives is the four-day, 10-hour workweek (4/10). This research examines the potential advantages and challenges of adopting the 4/10 schedule, particularly for specialty contractors, through an employee survey conducted at Western Specialty Contractors in Seattle, Washington. The study explores how this schedule affects worker …

Investigating The Viability Of Voucher Payments As A Development Plan, John Stapakis

Construction Management

California currently has a shortage of affordable housing, and Housing Choice Vouchers, also known as Section 8 housing, are one state funded solution to it. However, even once those in need of affordable housing are approved for vouchers they can have trouble finding suitable housing at a fair market price due to stigmas associated with voucher renters. This project investigates whether developers and property managers can actually use the voucher programs to their advantage to make a profit, or if that stigma is warranted. Developers can design their units in a way that appeals to these renters, and then accept …

Investigating The Benefits Of Utilizing Mass Timber In Construction, Eden Hitzke

Construction Management

Over the past decade, mass timber—an umbrella term for engineered wood products used as primary structural elements—has gained traction in the USA as a sustainable material for multistory buildings. Mass timber is a compelling alternative to steel and concrete due to its practical construction benefits, which were discovered through interviews with architects, engineers, and contractors. The interviews reveal advantages such as a streamlined construction process, reduced site disruption, and improved structural precision thanks to off-site manufacturing. Mass timber’s biophilic aspect improves indoor occupant satisfaction and market appeal. By documenting real-world experiences, the study highlights mass timber’s benefits due to its …

Examining Construction-Phase Challenges In Mass Timber Projects: Insights From Industry Professionals, Cole Polly

Construction Management

Mass Timber has emerged as an innovative structural alternative in the construction industry, based on its sustainability advantages and comparable level of performance to traditional materials such as steel and concrete. This engineered wood, including Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue-Laminated Timber (glulam), and Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) is characterized by its ability to scale up for large format projects and lower environmental impacts. However, there are practical challenges that happen during the construction phase of mass timber projects. This research aims to explore specific challenges that contractors, architects, and structural designers have encountered during their past or current experiences working with mass …

Vendor-Managed Inventory: A Case Study, Blake Elijah Hanson

Construction Management

This research project examines the effectiveness of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) within the context of electrical subcontracting, using a case study based on a recent summer internship at Cupertino Electric Inc (CEI). Employing qualitative research methods, including interviews with industry professionals and personal observations, the study identifies several key factors contributing to the success of VMI and pinpoints areas for improvement. It focuses on material organization, labeling, vendor coordination, and foreman involvement, assessing their impact on job site efficiency and operations. The findings reveal that while VMI helps streamline inventory management and reduce procurement workload, its full potential is often …

Analyzing Steel Supply Chain Factors With Analytic Hierarchy Process, Edilberto Urena Jr

Construction Management

The global steel supply chain is a critical component of construction and manufacturing industries. It is a fundamental pillar supporting infrastructure development, economic growth, and technological innovation. However, disruptions in supply, price volatility, and logistical challenges necessitate an in-depth evaluation of key factors affecting the steel supply chain. These uncertainties can pose significant risks to project timelines, cost efficiency and sustainability. This study employes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making approach to systematically rank and prioritize factors influencing the supply chain. A literature review identified critical variables, which are then structured into a hierarchical model after the opinion …

Early Mechanical Coordination For Gateway Decathlon, Benjamin Nunes-Dyer

Construction Management

This senior project focuses on finding an efficient mechanical system for the Gateway Decathlon prefabricated house unit. As a collective group, students working on the project decided to focus on using mass timber for the construction of the housing unit. Over the past year, the layout and design of the housing unit has been in the planning stage. Once drawings were made, the next step was to focus on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system. Research and professional help allowed for a team of students to come together and design these systems. Choosing the equipment for the mechanical system was …

Case Study: Cal Poly Housing Program (Cphp) - Student Housing Project At California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Aidan Michael Toole

Construction Management

Full volumetric modular construction is a building technique that involves the off-site prefabrication of three-dimensional modular units, which are later transported and assembled on-site. California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and general contractor, Whiting-Turner, are building new on-campus student housing by utilizing full volumetric modular construction techniques. The buildings will be produced in modules that, when put together, reflect the identical design and intent of a site-built building. This paper will analyze the effectiveness of modular construction on a large-scale project and look at the project cost, schedule, and waste impacts from choosing this approach. The main driver …

Exploration Of Mental Health Stressors And Proposing Interventions Among Heavy-Civil Construction Workers, Enrrique Zarate

Construction Management

The mental health of heavy civil construction workers is an often-overlooked issue. Long hours, job insecurity, physically demanding work, and workplace culture contribute to significant stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges among workers in this industry. This research aimed to assess the mental health conditions of heavy civil construction workers, identify key stressors, and propose effective intervention strategies to improve overall well-being. Using a combination of surveys and interviews, this study gathered both quantitative and qualitative data to gain a comprehensive understanding of workers’ mental health. The surveys provided broad insights into common stressors and overall mental health of …

Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Workplan: Transportation Development, Jessie A. Santos

Construction Management

This paper outlines a detailed work plan for the transportation logistics of pre-packaged modular home components, developed for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's participation in the 2026 Gateway Decathlon competition. The project focuses on the safe and efficient transport of mass timber panels and associated modular elements from the university campus in California to the competition site in Missouri, utilizing standard packaging procedures. This document details a comprehensive strategy for loading and securing the pre-packaged components, emphasizing a systematic approach to mitigate potential risks during transit. Key aspects of the work plan include a thorough material checklist, a breakdown of …

Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon: Cost Estimation And Planning For A Sustainable Mass Timber Home, George Stasinos

Construction Management

The Gateway Decathlon is an international collegiate competition that challenges university teams to design, build, estimate, and operate innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Cal Poly SLO’s entry to the competition is a mass timber single family home addressing sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate change issues in California. The research of this paper focuses on cost estimation and project planning concerning equipment and labor specifically. The aim is to create a feasible and accurate construction budget. While previous efforts have been conducted on this project, design changes and new scope additions require a comprehensive reassessment of the material, labor and equipment …

Modular Construction And Integrated Project Delivery: Cal Poly Slo’S Student Housing Expansion, Nikita Taktarov

Construction Management

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is addressing the increasing demand for on-campus housing through an innovative modular dormitory project. This project, which adds approximately 4,000 new beds, marks a shift from traditional construction methods to a more efficient and collaborative approach using the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model. Unlike traditional CSU contracts that place most of the risk on contractors, this model promotes shared responsibility between the university, architects, and builders, leading to better cost control and project efficiency. A key feature of this program is the use of prefabricated construction, where building components are assembled off-site and then transported …

Augmented Reality In Construction, Brendan Trinh

Construction Management

This research focuses on how augmented reality (AR) technology could assist construction projects by increasing quality control, efficiency, and collaboration. AR tools, such as Revizto, overlay 3D models into real-world construction sites, allowing the project teams to test installations and discover issues before they occur. This study aims to determine how AR affects project costs, the construction schedule, and quality. To further understand this, interviews were conducted with McCarthy Builders' Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) employees. They discussed their experiences with AR on active job sites, including its benefits, limitations, and potential improvements. Studies from an internship with McCarthy Builders …

An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Retention Of Skilled Trades Workers At Construction Companies, James R. Walsh

Construction Management

Construction trades are going through a difficult time in recruiting right now and have been for the past 5 to 10 years. More tradesmen and women from the baby boomer generation are retiring and the rate of replacement by younger people is not enough to keep the workforce at the numbers that would be ideal for a healthy construction industry. This paper delves into what companies can do to make work a place that employees want to be and aims to provide strategies companies can use to retain a quality workforce.

Cal Poly Construction Spanish Class, Josue E. Basilio

Construction Management

This project develops a Construction Spanish & Communication course for Cal Poly’s Construction Management program to address the growing need for bilingual communication on job sites. The course equips students with essential Spanish language skills for safety meetings, work instructions, and team coordination, improving job site efficiency and inclusivity. Deliverables include a detailed course outline in preparation for the semester conversion, curriculum, course catalog entry, and a first-day lecture presentation. The course blends lecture-based instruction with hands-on activities like role-playing, translation exercises, and real-world simulations. Assessments include scenario-based quizzes, a reflection essay, participation grading, and a final exam to ensure …

Bike Lane Improvement Proposal On Foothill Boulevard, Victor Wan

Construction Management

This project focuses on improving bike lane safety on Foothill Boulevard, a critical commuter route in San Luis Obispo. Outdated and unprotected lanes pose serious risks to cyclists due to high vehicle speeds, faded markings, and a lack of physical separation. This proposal introduces safety improvements, including steel bollards and armadillo humps for protection, high-visibility thermoplastic lane markings, and concrete refuge islands at key intersections. The study evaluates engineering challenges, material selection, installation methods, and cost implications to enhance cyclist safety and promote sustainable transportation.