Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Completion Of Hope's Village Tiny Homes, Jimmy P. Fewell

Construction Management

In Fall, 2018 the Cal Poly Construction Management Department teamed up with the non-profit, Hope’s Village, to create two tiny homes that are to be used for homeless shelters. The Residential Construction class built the structures, and I finish the siding for this plan. In finishing the siding I was incharge of the designing, planning and execution of the project.

Spanish Language Topics Course With An Emphasis On Construction Safety, Austin Changras

Construction Management

The end goal of this research-based project is to evaluate whether a Spanish course with an emphasis on construction site safety would be beneficial to Cal Poly’s Construction Management (CM) program and how it might also benefit the industry. The research orchestrated will be to decipher whether or not there is even a need for this type of class to be included into the curriculum. Along with data research, two separate surveys have been conducted, one administered to the Construction Management student population and the other to industry professionals. Furthermore, George Healy, a fellow CM student, is working on the …

Implementing Bim Management And Process Optimization Tools In Construction Management Curriculum, Jake W. Castillo

Construction Management

As the construction industry rapidly continues to adopt technology and Building Information Modeling practices, we need to ensure that Construction Management curriculum prepares students for what is expected after graduation. Cal Poly’s Construction Management program currently have two Building Information Modeling courses in the curriculum that focus mainly on learning software and while this will be essential for students graduating the Construction Management program, there remains room to improve the courses as the industry adapts. Adding curriculum geared more toward managing the BIM process and learning process optimization skills will not only benefit a higher percentage of students, but will …

Analysis Of Student Understanding Of The Change Order Process, Austin C. Eberle

Construction Management

Effective project management comes from controlling cost, time, and quality on a project. As construction projects become more complex, changes in the original contract documents will arise due to the nature of human error. How a project manager documents and addresses change events can alter the successfulness of a project. This study attempts to look at senior level construction management major student’s understanding of the change order management process. The goal of the study is to ascertain how well the students feel the construction management curriculum prepared them to manage change events in industry. Students were asked to demonstrate their …

California & Foothill Tunnel Feasibility Project:, Tyler J. Rohde

Construction Management

Safety on and off campus while attending college is one of the fastest growing concerns around the country. Having a secure path to get to campus is also a large problem to a select number of students here at California Polytechnic State University. The "Rape" Tunnel at the corner of California and Foothill Boulevard is considered to many to be a danger because of its unpredictable accessibility and the stigma that surrounds it.

Modular Utility Rack And Accessory Line, Ian Philip Thomas

Construction Management

There is a large gap in the market for heavy duty work racks for fleet vehicles. Modular racks have recently been introduced to the industry allowing contractors the ability to customize them to their needs. However, all customizable racks are limited to lightweight applications. The high strength steel rack I have designed is both modular, and sturdy enough to handle up to an estimated one thousand pounds. On our website, contractors will be able to scroll through the available attachments for his make and model rack and view them built on to his vehicle in 3D computer generated graphics.

Aligning Construction Management Students' Minors With The Needs Of Industry Professionals, Isaac Alexis Maximov

Construction Management

While in college, students will have to decide if they want to pursue a minor, in addition to their bachelor’s degree. To pursue a minor one has to take additional units, and one usually does this without any free electives, meaning their graduation date is most likely delayed. A minor, in theory, should provide additional benefits such as being more hirable and earning potential; however, in the construction industry, the minors construction management students are taking do not align with the needs of construction industry professionals in. And while most students believe having a minor will increase their salary, this …

The Skilled Framing Carpenter Shortage On The Central Coast Of California: A Focus On Residential Construction, Trevor John Nally

Construction Management

The residential construction industry has many critical components. When one of these components is not operating optimally, it can be detrimental to the system as a whole. A critical component to residential construction is skilled craftspeople. Without them, there can be no significant physical work completed on any residential project. Currently the component of skilled craftspeople in residential construction is in a state of short supply. Throughout the United States, there is an inadequate amount of craftspeople to fill the demand for their skills. The Central Coast of California is experiencing this issue much like the rest of the nation …

Acoustical Damping For Poly Canyon Village's Music Room, Jayvee Martir

Construction Management

Poly Canyon Village was a project by Clark Construction and Architect Niles Bolton Associates that was completed in 2009 that provided housing for upcoming and continuing students. One of the buildings, labeled “Aliso” has constructed the music practice room for students to either play their musical instruments or have it become a convenient area to record, with one particular band “Tin Kitty” having problems with being too loud. Even so, there is potential for this music room to become much more than what it currently is. This paper is a research paper that covers the various materials and methods of …

Skills And Traits Recruiters Value Most When Interviewing Construction Management Students For Internships And Full-Time Positions, Noel Medina

Construction Management

Interviews are a common method for companies to find whether a candidate meets all the requirements for the job at hand. Questions asked by interviewers tend to focus on hard skills, also known as technical skills, soft skills and other traits that are highly valued by the company. The objective of this project is to find which hard skills, soft skills and traits construction management professionals’ value most when interviewing students. The methods used for data gathering were in-person interviews and a survey, which was sent to construction industry contacts. The ultimate goal of this report is to relay these …

Perceptions Of Efficiency In Construction Jobsite Safety, Jay Doyle

Construction Management

This project is to examine the perception of jobsite safety practices of California contractors. Preliminary research found that jobsite safety practices are not a hinderance on a project schedule when managed well. A survey of students and industry professionals was the methodology used to gather this information. This survey consisted of various questions about the perception of safety practices on jobsites the respondent has worked on themselves, as well as their perception about safety in the construction industry as a whole. Significant findings were that half of the surveyed individuals had worked on a job site in which they lost …

Feasibility Analysis For Reclaim Device During Shotcrete Application, Cameron Neil Berkins

Construction Management

Shotcrete application has proven advantages over cast-in-place concrete under many different situations. Ease of access, minimal formwork, and higher productivity are prime examples. Its uses have exponentially increased through technical innovations to improve the ready-mix, nozzlemen technique, application surfaces, and to ensure higher dependability of the equipment. Unfortunately, concrete waste is still one of the highest percentages of overall waste in the construction industry. Shotcrete rebound, the material that falls from the wall due to lack of cohesion during installation, has slowly been reduced due to ready-mix alterations over the years, but effective recycling processes have yet to be implemented. …

Bank Of Italy Building's Net Zero Energy Renovation: A Case Study, Joshua Kai Balaban

Construction Management

The designation of Net-Zero Energy describes a building that meets all of its energy demand with on-site renewable energy generation. The Bank of Italy Building, in Downtown San Jose, California, is currently undergoing design-development to transform a landmark historical site into a modern, Net-Zero Energy building. This paper will analyze the project team’s design approach to minimizing energy demand and meeting this demand with on-site renewable energy. It will also evaluate the unique challenges associated with preserving the historical character of the existing structure, while converting it into a high-performing building. The research will consider similar past projects and approaches; …

Cost Analysis Of Modern Residential Solar Installations, Alex Scott Adams

Construction Management

This paper is a detailed cost analysis of standard photovoltaic panels and Tesla’s solar tiles. This analysis is specifically for the San Luis Obispo area, and focuses on comparing and contrasting new and old styles of residential solar for the average single family dwelling. This is important because there will become more consumers of solar in this area as the price becomes more favorable, and as sustainable practices become the norm. This trend is set to continue because of the movement to combat climate change. Solar energy fits into this movement because it is a source of energy that is …

Panelized Workforce Housing, Brock H. Armstrong

Construction Management

This study analyzes the utility of a panelized exterior wall system in workforce housing. First, it introduces why the need for the project exists. Second, it touches on how Cal Poly procured the project and who the client is. Third, it lays out how the project was dealt with as far as its structure and the roles of the students taking part in the cohort. Fourth, it looks at the process of designing the panels, the various restrictions the students had to deal with in designing them, and how the panels changed over time due to new constraints being made …

Creating An Organized/Safer Way For Contractors To Carry Oversized Spare Tires, Thomas Arismendi

Construction Management

Construction is an industry that needs trucks/vehicles to travel across large dirt construction sites without getting stuck. This typically means upgrading to a larger wheel width/diameter to create the largest possible surface area for the tire to cover while off-road. Managing to get a flat tire whether it is rolling a bead in the dirt from being aired down or running over objects such as nails/screws, it is always important to carry a spare tire that fits the application. This causes an increased need to safely lock down an oversized spare when the time comes for one. Most of the …

The Feasibility Of Implementing Solar Power On Construction Sites, Jordan Alves

Construction Management

The purpose of the research conducted in this project is to determine the feasibility of implementing solar on a construction site as means of providing power. Power requirements as well as costs from the established sources were compared to the current costs of solar, more importantly, to the current cost of the specific solar setup needed to provide consistent power to the site. As a baseline, the project power requirements were based of the requirements of the civil site the generator data was pulled from.

Case Study: Proven Benefits Of Insurance Backed Stretch And Flex Programs With Cdm Smith, Colin Dzubnar

Construction Management

Safety is the most important aspect of the construction industry. Due to daily strenuous physical activities that occur on a construction jobsite, having your body warmed up, pain-free and ready to perform labor intensive tasks is critical. This case study will examine the correlation between the past and present daily stretching format at the construction jobsite with CDM Smith and Insurance Company. For continuity, it will include an interview with the same CDM Smith Region H&S Manager as well as similar surveys to find out the construction workers thoughts and reactions to stretching prior to work. Although IO to 20 …

Environmental Engineering At Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Harold M. Cota

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The story recorded here began with a timeline prepared by Professor Rod Keif outlining some of the important events in the formation of the Environmental Engineering Department at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. He expanded the timeline and added some comments in a 5-page History of Environmental Engineering at Cal Poly in 1998 (1).

Rod Keif was a key player in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Department that eventually became the Environmental Engineering Department. He prepared his students to be leaders in the industry, received the Distinguished Teachers Award in 1967, and was chairman of the Academic Senate in 1969. …

Modular Utility Rack And Accessory Line, Ian Philip Thomas

Construction Management

There is a large gap in the market for heavy duty work racks for fleet vehicles. Modular racks have recently been introduced to the industry allowing contractors the ability to customize them to their needs. However, all customizable racks are limited to lightweight applications. The high strength steel rack I have designed is both modular, and sturdy enough to handle up to an estimated one thousand pounds. On our website, contractors will be able to scroll through the available attachments for his make and model rack and view them built on to his vehicle in 3D computer generated graphics.

Applications Of Virtual Reality In Construction, Erick Baeza

Construction Management

Virtual reality, a technology that has just been recently introduced to the construction industry, has gained popularity for its many practicalities which include but not limited to; cost savings, time savings and detections of design errors. This case study summarizes the applications and benefits that virtual reality brings to the industry, in particular to Lendlease’s Oceanwide Plaza project located in Downtown Los Angeles alongside drywall subcontractor, Martin Bros. The information for this case study was gathered through means of a phone call interview with Martin Bros’ foreman, Gilbert Benavidez and face-to-face interviews with Lendlease’s field superintendent Wade Nevitt and assistant …

Industry Perspectives On The 40-Hour Work Week As It Relates To Overtime In The Pacific Northwest, John S. Korsmo Iii

Construction Management

The construction industry has a stigma for construction projects often being behind schedule, delayed, or delivered late. Many projects that find themselves in this predicament will utilize overtime to make up for the loss in schedule. However, a number of published studies shows evidence that extended overtime produces a decrease in labor productivity. Does the structure of the 40-hour work week have an affect on this loss of production with overtime? This paper will examine the structure of the 40-hour work week with an emphasis on a 4-day, 10-hour day schedule as well as overtime productivity. This study explores the …

Student-Assistants In Cal Poly, Facilities Planning And Capital Projects, Nicholas Adam Long

Construction Management

The Cal Poly, Facilities Planning and Capital Projects Department has been an under utilized resource for students who desire the opportunity to work in the field while attending school. This internship-like opportunity would give the student an opportunity to step into the shoes as an owner’s representative. With over sixty separate construction projects consistently occurring around campus, students should be given the opportunity to work under supervision of a Cal Poly Project Manager as a student-assistant. Through multiple interviews with the Cal Poly, Facilities Planning and Capital Project Department Project Managers, it was agreed that there was a need to …

A Case Study On The Use Of Bluebeam On Commercial Construction Projects, Victor Michael Beglitsoff

Construction Management

No matter the size, every construction project has their own unique characteristics and logistics that come with it. But one thing is certain, every project has a specific set of construction documents that include; contracts, drawings, specifications and other important information. To guarantee the overall success of the project, companies must find ways to be the most effective and efficient to reach their specific goals. Using a technological software such as Bluebeam allows companies to excel in what they do best. Using Bluebeam as their primary PDF viewer on construction projects allows them to approach their project with a positive …

Beauchemin Residence, Hannah E. Rogers

Architectural Engineering

The following report details the structural engineering completed on the Beauchemin Residence, as well as the associated drawings, details, and special considerations. The Beauchemin Residence is an existing single story wood frame building on raised wood floor, located in the city of San Clemente. The scope of work includes calculations for a new roof, new walls (gravity & lateral), retrofit of the existing foundation, new foundation, and providing calculations. The process and progression of the structural design is documented, and correlated to the final product in the Appendix A & B.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Accountability On Jobsites Within The Construction Industry, Joseph O. Lamphere

Construction Management

Noise induced hearing loss is a major issue on jobsites within the construction industry. Every day workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise, but they are not being properly managed to mitigate this issue. Workers have misconceptions about the topic, but more surprisingly are sometimes indifferent to the effects; believing hearing loss is inevitable, or it can be cured with a hearing aide. Construction has inherent dangers that workers have to deal with every day. Hearing loss might not be on the top of their lists, but the effects are permanent, and they cannot be cured with a hearing …

The Role Of Soil Stiffness In Reverse Fault Rupture Propagation, Moises I. Buelna

Master's Theses

A nonlinear Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model with a strain dependent yield surface and non-associated flow was employed to study the plastic soil properties which affect the rate of surface fault rupture propagation in reverse events. These numerical simulations show a trend for soils with higher stiffness to have a higher rate of rupture propagation. Additionally the study shows the effects of strain softening and hardening on the rate of rupture propagation. Soils which strain harden exhibiting ductile behavior typically require more basal offset to rupture to the surface than soils which strain soften exhibiting brittle behavior. These results agree with our …

Lean Construction Teaching Module: Push/Pull Planning, James M. Iroz

Construction Management

The Construction Management Department at California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo has taken interests into the topics of Lean Construction to be a part of its curriculum. Lean Construction is a methodology in the built environment that tries to establish a leaner and more efficient work place in the industry. Within this broad spectrum of methodology, scheduling and more specifically, “push pull scheduling” is one of its many trademark applications. As the demand for more efficient projects rise, it is increasingly important for the next generation of construction students to be aware and educated with efficient skills. This experimental …

Introduction Of Industry-Based Technical Electives Within Cal Poly Slo's Cm Curriculum, Michael Hicks

Construction Management

The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo requires that all Construction Management majors complete 8 units of technical elective credit as part of the degree requirement. Tech electives are various courses that offer additional information on particular constructionrelated subjects. This paper will explore the option of adding additional tech elective courses that focus on the various industry sectors within the construction line of work, particularly: residential, commercial, and specialty trades such as MEP. With these areas of construction being the primary job market targets for recent graduates, there is an interest to gain a higher understanding of these industries. …

Preconstruction Services For The Simpson Strong-Tie Lab Crane, Peter James Schoemann

Construction Management

For several years the Construction Management Department faculty have discussed implementing a better system of lifting heavy items in the Simpson Strong-Tie Lab. Currently, student assistants and faculty use a forklift to perform heavy lifting, there are definitely more safe and efficient alternatives available. An under running single girder crane system is in the process of being built in the Simpson Strong Tie lab. A full structural analysis has been calculated assuring the crane can lift up to two tons. This crane will help students and faculty use the lab to build the tiny house as well as other projects …