Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Analyzing Tms 402 -22 : Design Of Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls, Tristan D. Aranda

Architectural Engineering

This experiment examines possible inconsistencies in the TMS 402-22 masonry code between Section 7.3.2.5 and Section 9.3.5.6.2, regarding the requirements for special boundary elements in Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls. By investigating the two sections, it can be determined whether the two sections are in accordance with each other regarding aspect ratio. Tensile forces and strains are calculated respectively for each wall and block type and are compared to the respective tensile yield forces and ductile strains. This determines which respective boundary elements go past yield and become ductile. Based on this determination, recommendations can be made to the …

Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Deliverable 3: Cost Estimate Development, Ruby Maria Sierra

Construction Management

The Gateway Decathlon is a global competition where university teams design, build, and operate sustainable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective homes using advanced technologies and materials. Teams create homes with renewable energy, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable materials. The competition evaluates design, energy efficiency, sustainability, and market viability. Currently, teams are working on Deliverable 3, which includes technical documentation, architectural plans, energy simulations, and cost analyses to ensure project feasibility. This deliverable bridges the design and construction phases and sets the foundation for building and operating the homes, helping to advance sustainable building practices and energy-efficient solutions.

Operation Webs - Tiny Home On Wheels: Quantity Take-Off, Estimate, And Site Logistics, Brendan Moynahan

Construction Management

The objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss the process of performing quantity take-offs, completing an estimate, and creating a site logistics plan for the Operation WEBS (Women Empowered Build Strong) Tiny Home on Wheels project performed at the Paso Robles State Fair. This project is a part of the interdisciplinary project based senior project completed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, College of Architecture and Environmental Design students Brendan Moynahan and Jake Torres. Brendan Moynahan performed the deliverables covered in this paper while Jake Torres completed his own deliverables for another paper. Our individual responsibilities …

Effects Of Concrete With The Implementation Of Spent Coffee Grounds, Nathan Limon

Construction Management

During this study, compression tests were performed on three different concrete mix designs to evaluate the effects of spent coffee grounds as an admixture. The initial mix design was the control mix, composed of a general concrete mix design containing aggregate, cement, and water. The second mixture utilized was high strength concrete; this included aggregate, cement, and water, fly ash. The third mixture tested consisted of aggregate, cement, water, and spent coffee grounds. The purpose of evaluating these three different mixtures is to see whether spent coffee grounds can be implemented into concrete without compromising the compressive strength. Substituting 15% …

The Viability Of Styrofoam Beads In Concrete Mixtures, Colin Edward Sykes

Construction Management

This experiment revolved around the idea that an aggregate replacement in a concrete mixture could not only maintain its structural integrity but increase its sustainability as well. This idea was formulated into the experiment of embedding Styrofoam beads into concrete. The outcome of this experiment showed the compressive strength of the concrete increased the greatest with the substitution of Styrofoam beads for fine aggregate up to 20%. This 20% Styrofoam replacement mixture exhibited an 189% increase in compressive strength when compared to the control group in the third week of testing. In addition to this impressive compressive strength, the weight …

The Use Of Augmented Reality (Ar) Technology In Construction, Luke Zamlich

Construction Management

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has revolutionized construction by replacing traditional paper-based methods with advanced software, improving data management and project workflows. However, as projects become more complex, challenges like communication gaps and design errors persist, often leading to cost overruns. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that could address some of these issues by enhancing real-time visualization and collaboration, helping avoid costly rework. Despite its potential, AR remains underutilized in the construction industry. This paper explores the feasibility of integrating AR into modern construction workflows to complement BIM models and improve on-site project management. A literature review highlights AR’s …

Building Safely: How Spanish Specific Safety Can Impact Job Sites, Luis D. Aguilar Montano

Construction Management

This project explores how Spanish Specific Safety Training is being approached in the construction industry, with an attempt to identify some possible issues associated with language barriers and accessibility to these trainings. This research involved data collection through thirty analytical surveys, in addition to conducting three semi-structured interviews with construction workers and supervisors. The focus of the data collection was to gain insights into several key areas, including training accessibility, workplace injuries, language barriers, and worker comfort. The survey results indicated strong support for Spanish-language safety training, with respondents recognizing its potential to improve safety and overall worker comfort. Many …

Caed Shop Entrance Wall Redesign, Theodore Haoran Khuong, Joelle Schalesky, Ellen Elizabeth Untalan, Katherine Evalyn Timbes

Construction Management

This paper details the preconstruction process involving the replacement and redesign of the north wall at the CAED Support Shop at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Accomplished by an interdisciplinary team of Architectural Engineering and Construction Management students, this project explores the requirements and procedures of generating a project proposal to submit to Cal Poly Facilities Management. The project, initiated in the fall of 2024, aimed to redesign the wall aligned with the adjacent Engineering West building and replace it with a CMU low lift grouted wall. The CAED Support Shop is offered as a resource to all CAED students …

A Comparison Of Mass Timber Perceptions Among Construction Professionals Over Time, Josh A. Higginson

Construction Management

Mass timber is a relatively new construction building material consisting of large-scale engineered wood products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam). It is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional steel and concrete, offering benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and enhanced aesthetic appeal. Despite being used on notable projects recently, it is not yet widely accepted by the industry as a whole. This study investigates the evolving awareness, benefits, and challenges associated with mass timber construction among U.S. construction professionals. Through a survey of over 100 construction practitioners, primarily from Cal Poly’s Construction Management Advisory …

Lab Exercise For Cm 114: Static Bending Of Timber And Its Alternatives, Samuel E. Arreola

Construction Management

This lab exercise investigates the static bending behavior of various structural materials. In this lab, the primary objective is to evaluate and compare the stress, strain, and deflection of 2” x 10” lumber, TJI joists, LVL beams, and steel studs under controlled loading conditions. This lab will require the calculation of cross-sectional properties, applying incremental loads until failure, and recording all corresponding deflection values. Material failure was visually documented using photographs to understand structural performance under the load. By using structural engineering principles and the formulas for stress and strain, the completion of this lab exercise provides a comprehensive analysis …

Investigating The Conversion Of A Signalized Intersection To A Turbo Roundabout, Vyshnavi P. Shetty

Master's Theses

Turbo roundabouts are multilane roundabouts that utilize a spiral design with raised lane dividers to guide traffic flow effectively. While they have seen widespread use in Europe, California is the second state in the US (after Florida) to have installed a turbo roundabout. Turbo roundabouts separate the ingress and circulating lanes. The concept was first proposed and implemented in the Netherlands to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow efficiency on conventional multilane roundabouts.

This research evaluates the first-ever turbo roundabout in California and compares its safety and operational performance with the previously existing 4-legged signalized intersection. The research team …

Incorporation Of Gnss Technology For Water-Level Instruments, Armaan S. Oberai, Toma Grundler, Serena B. Lee, Stefan A. Talke

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Our goal was to take an existing water-level measuring embedded system and upgrade the GNSS module for the purpose of getting the elevation of the device within an error of 1 cm. Main milestones for the project included deploying a successful field test at a known survey point, using software-based post processing to improve the GNSS solution point, and implementing robust hardware and software for the water-level embedded system such that it was easily scalable.

Understanding And Enhancing Sustainability Literacy In Cal Poly's College Of Engineering, Kenna Toohill

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This study uses survey data collected from Cal Poly students to analyze engineering students' sustainability knowledge and their perspectives on Cal Poly's efficacy in teaching concepts in sustainability. It also compares the College of Engineering to other colleges to determine if, and how, CENG is behind in environmental education at Cal Poly.

Seismic Resilience Of Timber Homes, Melia R. Costa

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The vast majority of residential buildings in California are wood-frame structures. A home is typically a very large investment for families, and damage to the home can be detrimental to a family’s economic success. Thus, reducing the economic impacts of an earthquake on residential timber housing is crucial. A full scale, two-story section of a residential timber house is in construction in the Parson’s Geotechnical and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo, California. Once built it will be put through earthquake simulation tests on a shake table with various magnitudes of seismic activity. Next, …

California Polytechnic Architecture Graveyard Safety And Locational Signage Project, Luke C. Vanderkooij

Construction Management

Hiking along Poly Canyon Road, towards Cal Poly’s Architecture Graveyard, limited information can be located on the actual trail, with current signage only describing prohibited activities. This project aimed to provide needed safety and locational signage for pedestrians, bikers, and vehicles, clearly outlining maps, safety tips, and emergency contacts. These criteria were led by the desire to proactively limit the risk of traveling along Poly Canyon Road and provide reactive assistance for those in potential danger. These added informational improvements were decided to be included in a bulletin style enclosure with a roof and metal plaque anchored into a reinforced …

Concrete Design: Underwater Concrete Forms In A Saltwater Environment, Noah Z. Lau

Construction Management

This following project investigated the effects of salt on the concrete curing process. Concrete possesses numerous strengths, making it extremely versatile. This makes it one of the most utilized construction materials. New improved methods are constantly being developed for concrete’s application as a construction material. While concrete is a flexible material with many strengths, it is not without its flaws. Concrete, while strong in compression is weak in tension. It has long cure times and doesn’t generally handle moisture well. This paper evaluates concrete’s change in strength from letting concrete cure in a salt-based underwater environment. To determine the full …

Investigation Of Temperature, Solution Strength, And Applied Stress Effects On Cation Exchange Processes In Different Geosynthetic Clay Liner Products, Kendra Fuller

Master's Theses

An extensive laboratory test program was conducted to analyze and compare the cation exchange processes in three different varieties of sodium bentonite (Na-B) geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) over increased conditioning durations up to 32 days and investigate the effects of temperature, solution strength, and applied stress. The goal of this test program was to establish whether the variables of temperature, solution strength, and applied stress improved or degraded the engineering properties of GCLs in laboratory testing and municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill applications. The GCLs were conditioned in liquids of increasing ionic strength, using deionized water and 2, 50, and …

Engineering-Enhanced Theatre: How Engineering Involvement Can Aid Regional Theatres, Albert M. Le

Architectural Engineering

Engineering and theatre are disciplines not often associated with each other within regional and small theatre companies in the United States. The distinction between the two fields of study is not simply from the fundamental differences between how each field is taught and practiced, but also the difficulties encountered within a scope of theatre often constrained with limited budget and time for each production. However, when beginning to explore the intersection between engineering and theatre, it is found that the empirical nature of current theatrical practices can be countered, and scenic design and construction can be re-envisioned with engineering involvement …

Innovations To Increase Plywood Shear Wall Design Capacity And Resiliency, "Mega Walls", Through Ductile Metal Strapping, Trevor Douglas Reichenberg, Tara Suzanne Reich, Katelyn Marie Lowry

Architectural Engineering

The researchers of this project are three undergraduate Architectural Engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Plywood shear walls are common structural elements in timber structures that resist lateral forces. Since their introduction to the industry in the 1950s, their shear capacities have remained essentially unchanged amongst the innovations of other wooden lateral systems. Prior to this project, Cal Poly undergraduate researchers have taken on the challenge of modernizing the shear wall. The “MeGa Wall” project was born: a system that implements metal gauge strapping which enhances a conventional wall by reducing nail connection failures. Full-scale experimental …

Structural Health Monitoring In A Small-Scale Environment Using Wired And Wireless Communication Device Readings, Gabriela Mcclure

Architectural Engineering

Our goal with this project is to test and develop a structural health monitoring (SHM) device capable of assessing the safety and integrity of building connections and overall structural health. At Cal Poly, a large portion of our structural engineering curriculum focuses on the design of buildings in response to earthquakes and the damage that can be mitigated through proper design. The increasing accessibility of technology in our world allows for the growth and development of systems that can enhance building safety and help us better understand how building practices can evolve to continue prioritizing life safety. Structural health monitoring …

Effects Of Titanium Particulates On Concrete Compressive Strength, Ryan Christopher Brunello

Construction Management

Titanium has the potential to increase the compressive strength of concrete. This experiment investigates the impact of titanium admixture on concrete compressive strength, using three different forms of titanium: shavings, flakes, and powder. This experiment goes further, evaluating the effects of varying proportions of titanium admixture, ranging from 1% - 5% by the weight of cement, resulting in 15 different concrete test cylinders and one additional cylinder as the control variable with no titanium admixture. This experiment aims to identify the optimal recipe for concrete mix with titanium admixture which can provide valuable insight to the industry as to how …

Value Of Electrical Heavy Civil Machinery In The American Construction Industry, Kaston Wong

Construction Management

Every day the construction industry is releasing an unhealthy amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The consequences may seem trivial at first because the planet is slowly deteriorating, and it is not easily discernable on a day-to-day basis; however, similar to constantly taking care of one’s home, one must take care of the planet. On the other hand, the difference between degradation of a home and planet is that the pollution released into the world is irreversible; therefore, we need to be even more conscientious of the environment. As the construction industry continues to grow, the need for heavy …

Assessment Of Dune Change Using Historical Aerial And Satellite Photos, Topographic Surveys, And Wave Data At Toro Creek Beach, Owen D. Emerson

Master's Theses

Coastal sand dunes play an important role in the littoral processes of California’s coastline. Functioning as both source and sink for sand, these dunes often protect coastal infrastructure and provide a buffer between anthropogenic development and coastal forces. At Toro Creek Beach, north of Morro Bay California, recent extreme winter storms have raised concerns about the erosion of the sand dunes that front California State Highway 1. This thesis attempts to characterize the historical growth and recession patterns of the Toro Creek dunes since 1977, the dune movement over the 2023-2024 winter seasons, the wave forcings behind recent high erosion …

A Study Of Commuting Conditions For Construction Professionals In The San Francisco Bay Area, Ethan John Argue

Construction Management

This paper investigates the commuting experiences of workers in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a focus on construction industry professionals. Numerous scientific studies and reports have been done regarding both traffic congestion in the Bay Area and commuting conditions for construction workers. By comparing points of information on Bay Area workers like their job type, commute length and commute satisfaction, this study aims to uncover correlations and understand who is affected the most by traffic congestion. After extensive surveys and interviews of Bay Area workers, average commute times were calculated and reported for several industry subsets, along with averages …

Modeling The Effectiveness Of Bioremediation On Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether In Groundwater, Logan Bundy

Master's Theses

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and its degraded form tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA) are both known carcinogens that have contaminated groundwater aquifers across the United States. MTBE is a synthesized compound, once widely used as an additive in gasoline to increase oxygenation. Because of its popularity, MTBE was released into the environment primarily through fuel combustion and leaking underground storage tanks. These two compounds are known to be recalcitrant to most conventional physico-chemical treatment methods. Previous studies have suggested that bioremediation is effective at degrading MTBE and TBA in contaminated groundwater. Bioremediation involves the injection of oxygen, nutrients, and pre-adapted bacterial cultures …

Cardboard Concrete Column Formwork, Danny Shrestha, Joelle Schalesky

Architectural Engineering

This project is an exploration of cardboard as a potential material for construction formwork for concrete columns. Multiple material tests were conducted to explore the behavior of cardboard and concrete. Multiple specimens of cardboard were tested for modulus of elasticity, moment of inertia, and tensile strength. Concrete was tested for its apparent lateral fluid pressure under vibration. Cardboard formwork was then designed and constructed based on these tested behaviors. The final design of the formwork consisted of folding cardboard sheets lined with hardboard, supported by wood studs, and tied by plastic banding straps.

Ultimately, two concrete columns―8' and 10' in …

Moment Monument, Brayden Alec Martinez, Carsten Walker Huber, Gaspar Emmanuel Solorio, Jared Thomas Schieferle

Architectural Engineering

We designed our project, dubbed the Moment Monument, in part to live out our dream of applying engineering and design skills towards creating a lasting impression on Cal Poly’s campus, as well as to develop a visual aid for future engineering students in steel design classes. The Moment Monument is in the Experimental Structures Laboratory, which is a space in the university’s ‘Poly Canyon’ that is reserved for students to build and test different applications of architecture, structural engineering, and construction. In recent years, it has been diffi cult to receive approval to build in the canyon due to high …

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 …

Construction Of Concrete Shear Wall & Modular Foundations - Procurement And Quality Control, Justin J. Coffin

Construction Management

This project details the planning, construction, quality control, and logistics processes throughout the construction of a concrete shear wall and modular footings. The project focused on constructing the wall and footings as they were designed to ensure they meet strength parameters to be used in the High Bay Lab at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo for seismic testing. The complex designs, encompassing dense rebar gages and post tensioned bars, required extensive hours of labor and quality control. This paper will cover the main phases of the construction process and how they were acquired. Furthermore, the considerations taken …