Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Ada Concrete Walkway Improvements At The Gala Pride And Diversity Center, Jonathan A. Mintz, Manuel Gonzalez

Construction Management

This paper presents the planning, design, and construction of an accessible concrete walkway completed for the GALA Pride and Diversity Center in San Luis Obispo, California. The project addressed an accessibility gap between the center's front entrance and rear parking lot through a combination of site preparation, concrete work, retaining wall construction, and supporting improvements. Construction was managed around the active events schedule while staying within the constraints of a nonprofit budget. Challenges encountered during the project included scope changes, material selection decisions, and client coordination. The completed walkway provides a safe and stable path for all visitors and directly …

Modular Student Housing At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: A Case Study On Efficiency And Implementation, Michelle Lara

Construction Management

As universities continue searching for ways to deliver student housing more efficiently, volumetric modular construction has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional construction methods. However, there is limited documentation on how modular student housing projects are implemented on active California State University campuses. This study examines the implementation of volumetric modular construction on the California Polytechnic State University Student Housing Project through a qualitative case study approach. Data was collected through interviews with project personnel involved in construction management, project engineering, and fire and life safety compliance, along with a review of existing literature. While the project demonstrated several …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To The Navajo And Hopi Nation, Benjamin R. Narciso

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning project that provides sustainable energy solutions to families with school-aged children living in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a team of 23 students from five academic disciplines at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to complete the program's fifth year. The project's purpose was to improve the quality of life and support educational success by providing reliable access to electricity, lighting, and refrigeration in underserved communities. Participants were organized into five installation teams consisting of Cal Poly students, faculty, industry partners, …

Beyond Contract Law: Expanding Legal Education In Construction Management, Grace M. Hetland

Construction Management

The California Polytechnic State University Construction Management (CM) program is designed to prepare students for the managerial responsibilities of the construction industry. However, construction projects involve a broad range of legal considerations that extend beyond traditional contract administration. While the CM curriculum currently includes a course focused on construction contract law, there is limited exposure to other legal disciplines that frequently affect construction professionals throughout the project lifecycle. This research explores the potential value of expanding construction law education in the CM curriculum by implementing an additional topics course as an elective for students. To determine which legal subjects would …

Robotic Layout Systems In Construction: Evaluating Accuracy And Efficiency In Blueprint Marking, Saxon Moseman

Construction Management

Robotic layout systems represent a significant advancement in construction technology, automating the transfer of Building Information Modeling (BIM) coordinates onto construction surfaces to improve accuracy and efficiency. This study evaluates the implementation of robotic layout systems, specifically the Dusty Robotics FieldPrinter, and their effectiveness in improving accuracy and efficiency during construction blueprint marking. Through a review of existing literature, analysis of the Skanska and Sutter Health healthcare case study, and qualitative interviews with three construction professionals, the research examines impacts on productivity, labor requirements, trade coordination, BIM integration, and project quality. Findings consistently demonstrate that robotic layout systems reduce layout …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Through Off-Grid Solar Systems, Maggie Papaharisi

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning project where California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students partner with Heart of America and SOLV Energy to install off-grid solar systems for families in the Navajo Nation who do not have reliable access to electricity. Due to the remote location and high cost of infrastructure, a significant portion of households lack basic utilities, making access to lighting, refrigeration, and power difficult. During the 2026 project, a team of students from multiple disciplines spent several months preparing before traveling to Arizona, where installation teams completed solar systems in 50 homes over three days. …

Skip The Grid: Powering The Navajo And Hopi Reservations, Casey A. Nuti

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project targeted at providing essential off-grid power to families of the Navajo and surrounding sovereign nations. This year a group of twenty-three students and four faculty from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) helped plan and execute the insulation of solar power and other essential amenities on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Many families that live on the reservation are below the U.S. poverty  line and obtaining grid power can be extremely difficult given the rigorous permitting requirements as well as the remote location of many of their homes. This service project is …

Solar Charging Station For Construction Gang Boxes​, Scott J. Burfield

Construction Management

This senior project explores the feasibility of a solar-powered charging system that attaches to the top of a construction gang box or knack box. The purpose of the project is to provide a cleaner and more convenient way to charge tool batteries and small devices on construction sites. Adding on, it will reduce reliance on generators, extension cords, and temporary power setups by being supplemental support. Research included interviews with construction electricians, product selection, cost estimating, energy calculations, and an evaluation of constructability and project risks. The proposed design uses a 100-watt solar panel, a portable power station, and a …

Construction Of Lightly Reinforced Concrete Walls And Foundations For Fiber Reinforced Polymer Testing, Aidan D. Seed, Coulter Langmaid, Ryan R. Bousfield, Bennett B. Steiger

Construction Management

This paper details the construction of two cast-in-place concrete walls with attached footings, built to continue ongoing research into Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) retrofitting conducted by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Architectural Engineering (ARCE) department. The project was located inside the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) High Bay testing facility and is part of a multi-year effort to evaluate FRP wrap as a seismic retrofitting option for lightly reinforced concrete walls dating to the pre-1980s. Formwork from the previous year's senior project was reused for this effort, and a two-phase pour was utilized and executed by …

Greek Row At Cal Poly: Addressing Student Housing, Neighborhood Conflict, And Town-Gown Relations, Christopher Linn Green

Construction Management

This study evaluates whether centralized Greek housing near Cal Poly could serve as a long-term planning solution for reducing neighborhood conflict, improving student housing opportunities, and creating a more organized environment for fraternity and sorority life. The research was developed in response to ongoing concerns in San Luis Obispo involving student housing pressure, fraternity activity in residential neighborhoods, and code enforcement challenges. Two surveys were used to gather stakeholder perspectives. One survey of Cal Poly students and one survey of individuals who work in San Luis Obispo. Student responses showed strong support for a centralized Greek Row, with most respondents …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Information Session At California Polytechnic State University, Jack Durham Abernathy

Construction Management

This paper presents a detailed analysis of an information session coordinated by Jack Abernathy with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on May 14, 2026, at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. An Army Corps of Engineers info session creates a critical step for undergraduates where they have a professional environment to network with industry professionals and explore unique career paths that may have not been previously considered. The presentation exposed attendees to the history of the Corps of Engineers, employee occupations, and USACE’s varying mission sets. A representative from the USACE Sacramento District brought forward professional …

Self-Healing Concrete In Compression With Crystalline Admixtures, Nathaniel Paul Warfield

Construction Management

The construction industry is steadily pursuing sustainable and regenerative materials that extend service life and reduce maintenance requirements. Self-healing concrete containing crystalline admixtures represents one such technology. This study evaluated the compressive strength performance of a commercially available high-strength concrete with and without a crystalline self-healing admixture. Three 6-inch by 12-inch cylinders were cast using Quikrete High Strength Concrete. One cylinder served as the control specimen, while two cylinders contained Penetron Admix at approximately 1% of cement weight. One admixture cylinder was intentionally cracked after 14 days to allow time for healing before testing. All specimens were tested in compression …

Understanding Cmu Construction Sequencing Through Scheduling Application, Tristan J. Roberson

Construction Management

Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) wall systems are used very often in all types of construction including commercial and residential. With this said, the scheduling logic behind their installation can often be unclear for students and people new to the industry. The purpose of this project is to analyze CMU construction sequencing and demonstrate how it integrates within an overall project schedule. This study was conducted using interviews with industry professionals, review of CMU manufacturing processes, and development of a simplified Critical Path Method schedule in Microsoft Project. Information from CMU professionals regarding manufacturing processes and lead times were incorporated based …

Improving The California Boulevard Railroad Underpass: A Feasibility Study Of Persistent Barriers And Practical Improvement Strategies, Jacee D. Carpenter

Construction Management

The California Boulevard railroad underpass in San Luis Obispo has served as an informal pedestrian route for Cal Poly students since pedestrian access across the adjacent railroad tracks was restricted in 2009. Despite its frequent use, the underpass presents challenges related to lighting, drainage, surface conditions, and seasonal flooding that affect safety and accessibility. Previous studies documented these concerns and proposed improvement concepts; however, no significant physical improvements have been implemented. This project evaluates the factors contributing to the lack of improvements and examines practical strategies for enhancing the underpass within existing regulatory, environmental, and jurisdictional constraints. Methods included a …

Developing A Preparation Manual For The Asc Region 6 & 7 Reno Competition, Addyson Mae Demasters

Construction Management

The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 6 & 7 Competition is one of the most prestigious student construction management competitions in the United States. Success in the competition requires technical knowledge, effective communication, time management, and strategic preparation. The purpose of this senior project was to develop a comprehensive Competition Preparation Manual for future Cal Poly Construction Management students competing in the ASC Reno Competition. The manual was created through the collection and analysis of information from previous competitors, team captains, competition retrospectives, and the author's personal experience participating in ASC Reno competitions. Surveys were sent to students in …

Small-Scale Rainwater Harvesting: A Sustainable Practice For Single-Family Homes In Southern California, Azzah R. Bensrhir

Construction Management

Southern California is prone to drought and struggles with low water supplies. Los Angeles and San Diego County have enacted outdoor water regulations that aim to reduce the overall reliance on municipal and groundwater supplies. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a feasible way for single-family homeowners in Southern California to contribute to water conservation efforts. To determine the feasibility of installing, maintaining, and understanding overall challenges and costs of small-scale rainwater harvesting systems, four interviews were conducted with residents of Los Angeles and San Diego County who have owned and operated a RWH system for more than five years. The results …

Contribution Of Slotted Web To The Cyclic Behavior Of Bare And Composite Beam-To-Hss Column Connections, Pablo Ulargui Ramos

Master's Theses

Slotted web connections produce consistent and meaningful improvements in the cyclic behavior of bare and composite beam-to-HSS column connections. Across the eight connections investigated in this thesis, the introduction of a slotted web increased rotational capacity by approximately 7% to 37% and increased cumulative energy dissipation at the strength-degradation limit by approximately 37% to 81%. These improvements were accompanied by only a small reduction in ultimate flexural resistance on the order of 3% to 8%, attributable to the loss of web cross-section at the slot and, for the more flexible H/t = 16 columns, to increased out-of-plane deformation of the …

Characterization Of The Thermally Driven Red Hue Effect In Coated And Uncoated Concrete Systems: Implications For Post-Fire Assessment In Wildland Urban Interface Communities, Juan C. Palominos Jr

Master's Theses

The increasing frequency and intensity of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) wildfires, such as the destructive 2025 Pacific Palisades Fire that destroyed over 6,000 structures, have underscored the urgent need for rapid post-fire safety assessment methodologies. This study sought to quantitatively characterize the Thermally Driven Red Hue Effect (TRHE), a unique, irreversible color shift observed in architectural coatings and concrete substrates, to determine its reliability as a permanent visual record of thermal exposure. Concrete substrates were formulated with three distinct coarse aggregates: gold granite (14.7% Fe), red cinder (22.4% Fe), and green rock (33.6% Fe) and coated with a 20 PVC waterborne …

Analysis And Design Of Auger Cast Piles With Isolation Casing, Zachary Lindsay

Master's Theses

This research addresses the analysis and design of double cased piles. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) runs a large rail system both above and below ground that connects the entire Bay Area. BART requires that all new constructions avoid transmitting axial load to their tunnels from adjacent piles. If piles fall within the zone of influence, builders must install double cased piles. Double casing is where there is an extra casing around the pile, with an air gap between them. The air gap prevents load from transferring to the outer casing. The length of this casing is called the isolation …

Synthesis And Characterization Of A Graphene Oxide-Zif-8 Composite For Enhanced Post-Combustion Carbon Capture, Sydney Cooper

Master's Theses

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuel combustion are a major contributor to climate change and its associated environmental impacts. The current standard technology for post-combustion carbon capture, aqueous amine scrubbing, is effective but requires significant regeneration energy and has high operational costs. As a result, solid sorbents have been investigated as lower-energy alternatives. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising class of porous nanomaterials due to their high surface area, tunable pore structures, and adjustable surface chemistry. Among them, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has high thermal and chemical stability, hydrophobicity, and favorable adsorption properties. However, conventional synthesis methods often rely …

Creating A Framework For Quantifying Wildland Urban Interface (Wui) Fire Vulnerability Factors, Ryan L. Delalio

Construction Management

Wildfires have been the focus of geospatial research for decades. Climate change and increased suburban development in California are leading to an increase of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). These zones are at higher wildfire risk, and a metric is needed to determine the most vulnerable communities to help them assess their personal wildfire risk. By analyzing current WUI wildfire vulnerability literature, the main contributing factors behind the impact of wildfires in California emerge. These factors are then paired with datasets that contain geospatial information about the factors to help us find the locations of highest vulnerability. This paper serves as …

Skip The Grid 2026: Off-Grid Power For Hopi And Navajo Families, Xanthus Aurelius Poole Silverstein

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service-learning project that provides sustainable energy solutions to families with school-aged children living in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a team of 23 students from five academic disciplines at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to complete the fifth year of the program. The project's purpose was to improve quality of life and support educational success by providing reliable access to electricity, lighting, and refrigeration in underserved communities. Participants were organized into five installation teams consisting of Cal Poly students, faculty, industry …

Skip The Grid: Providing Solar Energy To Navajo And Hopi Families, Derrick Huang

Construction Management

In Spring 2026, the Skip the Grid program sent its 5^th consecutive service project team to the Navajo Nation. Consisting of 4 faculty and 23 interdisciplinary students from various majors such as Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Management, and more, the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) team partnered with non-profit Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and NextPower to install Two 200-watt PV panels, a Yeti 1500X battery, a refrigerator, and two LED lights to families in the Navajo and Hopi Nations in Northeastern Arizona. Within 3 installation days, the Skip the Grid team was able …

Exploring The Role Of Video Games In Civil Engineering Education And K-12 Stem Engagement, Jillian S. Codron

Architectural Engineering

Civil engineering education has traditionally emphasized a linear progression from theory to application, with foundational concepts introduced in lecture before being reinforced through laboratory or design experiences. While effective for advanced learners, this approach can limit early engagement for K–12 students who may struggle to connect abstract principles to realworld engineering practice. This project examines the use of video games as interactive, feedback-driven environments for introducing civil engineering concepts and practices to younger learners in more exploratory and accessible ways.

The study pursues four primary objectives: evaluating the educational affordances of selected video games; examining how gaming experiences have influenced …

Sb 1953 Field Execution Under Hcai Oversight: Seismic Retrofit At Zsfg Building 5, Victor Lucas

Construction Management

Every hospital in California must be seismically compliant by 2030 under Senate Bill 1953, which is enforced by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). HCAI approves and inspects all hospital construction in the state, and its authority reaches into the field, so a contractor cannot simply build to an approved drawing the way it would on a commercial job. This paper explains how that approval system governs the work, written for construction professionals entering hospital work in California whose experience to that point has been commercial. It uses the ZSFG Building 5 Voluntary Seismic Upgrade, a 1976 …

Preconstruction Services For Slo Youth Baseball Bull Pen And Batting Cage, Sofia E. Cuevas

Construction Management

San Luis Obispo Youth Baseball is a nonprofit organization servicing the local youth of San Luis Obispo, California. Offering recreational, all-star, and club programs, SLO Youth Baseball provides the experience of baseball to all levels of skill in the community. In preparation for the Spring 2026 season and beyond, SLOYB has proposed the construction of a bull pen and batting cage on the third base line at their very own Stockton Field. In order to service the community at large, this design came with a set of strict parameters: accessibility, longevity, and serviceability. In doing so, SLOYB has requested flexibility …

Sheep Pen Improvements At City Farm Slo, Ryan S. Bodmer

Construction Management

City Farm SLO is an urban non-profit educational farm located in San Luis Obispo, CA. It serves the community through offering farm learning programs, including hands-on experience in sustainable farming practices and livestock care. This project, completed over the winter and spring quarters, focused on delivering an upgraded sheep pen to improve access and safety for both volunteers and sheep. The project consisted of developing design plans, coordination of materials and allowable working times with the owner, where the animals were either moved out of the working area or when work would not jeopardize animal health, schedule creation, cost estimates, …

Skip The Grid: Turning Solar Planning Into Power For Navajo Nation Homes, Alexandr B. Miller

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is a cross-disciplinary experiential learning initiative that delivers clean energy infrastructure to households with school-age children residing in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In March 2026, a cohort of 23 students drawn from five academic programs at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) joined forces with Heart of America (HOA), SOLV Energy, and NextPower to carry out the initiative's fifth consecutive year. The program aimed to enhance living standards and bolster academic achievement by ensuring dependable access to power, illumination, and food preservation in resource-limited communities. Participants were divided into five installation teams comprising Cal Poly students, …

Dirt Finder (Drtfndr): A Marketplace Application For Construction Earthwork, Evan A. Reed

Construction Management

The construction industry regularly produces a surplus of earthwork materials: clean fill, topsoil, gravel, and crushed concrete, that are disposed of at considerable cost. All the while, contractors actively seek those same materials, and no dedicated digital platform existed to connect these two groups efficiently. DrtFndr ("Dirt Finder") is a mobile-first web application developed to address this gap, providing a marketplace where contractors can post available or needed earthwork materials, browse geographically filtered listings by material type and proximity, and connect directly with other users. The application was built using Base44, an AI-powered application development platform, and includes real-time mapping, …

Life Cycle Costing Of Modular Timber Residential Construction, Logan Micah Hammel

Construction Management

This study examines the economic feasibility of modular residential construction using life-cycle costing (LCC) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) approaches to assess the sustainability and maintenance costs of modular construction. Using the structures and documents from the Gateway Decathlon project as the subject, we applied LCC formulas and programs to assess their economic performance. These calculations were conducted manually in Excel and modeled using the OpenLCA platform to compare traditional and software-based approaches. The study aims to identify cost drivers across building scopes, such as building materials and electrical and mechanical systems, and to evaluate how modular construction performs over its …