Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Architecture (105)
- Construction Engineering (69)
- Business (28)
- Education (20)
- Environmental Design (18)
-
- Architectural Engineering (16)
- Urban, Community and Regional Planning (13)
- Architectural Technology (12)
- Landscape Architecture (12)
- Curriculum and Instruction (11)
- Other Architecture (9)
- Real Estate (9)
- Civil Engineering (7)
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (7)
- Business Administration, Management, and Operations (6)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (6)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (6)
- Power and Energy (6)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (6)
- Construction Law (5)
- Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis (5)
- Environmental Sciences (5)
- Historic Preservation and Conservation (5)
- Law (5)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (5)
- Sustainability (5)
- Business Analytics (4)
- Keyword
-
- Construction (160)
- Sustainability (68)
- Construction Management (60)
- Concrete (56)
- Safety (43)
-
- Design (39)
- Interdisciplinary (38)
- Navajo Nation (27)
- BIM (26)
- Cal Poly (26)
- Collaboration (25)
- Prefabrication (25)
- Communication (24)
- Project Management (24)
- Curriculum (23)
- Education (23)
- Preconstruction (23)
- Productivity (23)
- Estimating (22)
- Residential (19)
- Technology (19)
- Solar Energy (18)
- Solar (17)
- Schedule (16)
- Mass Timber (15)
- Women in Construction (15)
- Efficiency (14)
- Heavy Civil (14)
- Modular (14)
- Scheduling (14)
- Publication Year
- Publication Type
Articles 121 - 150 of 999
Full-Text Articles in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Creating An Off-Site Construction Course, Tyler Steven Meehleis
Creating An Off-Site Construction Course, Tyler Steven Meehleis
Construction Management
The construction industry is undergoing a transformation as prefabrication and modular methods become more common across project types. From residential homes to large-scale commercial buildings, offsite construction offers faster timelines, improved quality control, and reduced environmental impact of construction. Despite these advantages, off -site construction has historically been underrepresented in the Construction Management (CM) curriculum at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). While students are well-prepared for traditional project delivery in residential, commercial, and heavy civil sectors, they often graduate with limited exposure to more modern building systems and off-site production techniques. This off-site construction course addresses this gap by …
Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo, Tyler Higgins
Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo, Tyler Higgins
Construction Management
Located on the north end of California Polytechnic State University’s campus, the Leaning Pine Arboretum gazebo stands as a place of gathering, relaxation, and functionality. Taking the place of a smaller existing structure, this project transforms the area, creating new opportunities and laying a foundation for future growth over the coming years. Along the way, several challenges arose, including design complications, permitting issues, and time constraints. Through this process, it became clear that obstacles were inevitable, and overcoming them taught valuable lessons in teamwork, coordination between multiple parties, relationship building, and project management. From September to December 2024, work continued …
Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona, Joshua Zepeda Montero
Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona, Joshua Zepeda Montero
Construction Management
An interdisciplinary service-learning program called Skip the Grid provides solar energy systems to Navajo Nation homes without consistent access to electricity. A group of 20 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students from different majors that include Construction Management, Mechanical Engineers, Business, and Electrical Engineers traveled to Arizona from March 23rd to 27th, 2025, to install Goal Zero solar energy systems on over 40 homes from the Navajo Nation. This project was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of SOLV Energy, Heart of America (HOA), Goal Zero, Chinle High School, and Cal Poly. These solar systems help give …
Designing And Building A Tomato Storage Shed For Slo City Farm, Mark D. Thielmann, Ryan T. Walther
Designing And Building A Tomato Storage Shed For Slo City Farm, Mark D. Thielmann, Ryan T. Walther
Construction Management
This paper details the design, budgeting, and construction of a tomato shed built by a student team for City Farm SLO during the Spring 2025 quarter. The project aimed to deliver a practical, affordable, and long-lasting structure to support tomato harvesting and storage operations. The team prioritized a design that balanced functionality with simplicity, all while working within a tight budget. The design phase involved multiple iterations in response to changing site conditions and client input, requiring the team to remain flexible and responsive throughout the process. Key milestones included developing an initial layout, sourcing materials, and modifying features as …
Plumbing System Design For Gateway Decathlon, Philip Soo
Plumbing System Design For Gateway Decathlon, Philip Soo
Construction Management
This senior project focuses on the development of a Sustainable and Efficient Plumbing System for the Gateway Decathlon Modular Housing Unit, a Mass Timber construction. As part of an Integrated Project Design delivery, this project involves a collaborative effort among students from various disciplines, including construction management, architecture, and engineering. Over the past year, teams of students have collaborated to develop architectural drawings, including floor plans, elevations, and system layouts. This project includes the careful selection of plumbing fixtures that align with the performance and sustainability goals of the modular housing unit. In addition, the materials were chosen based on …
Skip The Grid: Energizing Navajo Nation, Eiley Q. Eichten
Skip The Grid: Energizing Navajo Nation, Eiley Q. Eichten
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project aimed at providing reliable and clean energy to families living in Navajo Nation. Cal Poly partnered with Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and Nextracker to help bring this plan to fruition. Twenty students were selected to contribute to the planning, coordinating, and fundraising for the project. After the preparation was completed, Cal Poly students joined representatives from Heart of America, SOLV Energy, and Nextracker. The trip commenced with a hands-on, productive five day visit to Chinle, Arizona. The first working day commenced with Cal Poly students attending a total of five schools …
How Mass Timber Supports Sustainability During Construction: An Industry-Based Analysis, Nicholas T. Mayton
How Mass Timber Supports Sustainability During Construction: An Industry-Based Analysis, Nicholas T. Mayton
Construction Management
As the construction industry explores new ways to reduce environmental impact, mass timber has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional materials. While much of the existing research on mass timber focuses on life-cycle assessments and carbon comparisons, few studies capture insights from professionals directly involved in building with it. This paper analyzes a series of industry interviews with contractors, designers, and sustainability consultants who have experience working on mass timber projects. The aim is to understand how sustainability plays out during the construction phase—not just in theory, but in practice. Using qualitative methods and word pattern analysis, three core …
Prefabrication Of Custom Cat Condos For Son Care Foundation, Jacob Marano
Prefabrication Of Custom Cat Condos For Son Care Foundation, Jacob Marano
Construction Management
This senior project involved the design and construction of four custom cat condos for the Son Care Foundation. The goal of the project was to enhance the quality of life for cats by creating safe, functional, and enriching enclosures. The process involved developing a conceptual design, coordinating with daycare center staff, refining the final design and materials list, procuring supplies, and executing the build. The final deliverables included four completed condos with individual and shared spaces for 8 to 12 cats in total. Throughout the project, valuable lessons were learned in planning, budgeting, construction techniques, and working with a real …
Skip The Grid: Empowering The Navajo Nation Through Solar Energy, Gerardo L. Luna
Skip The Grid: Empowering The Navajo Nation Through Solar Energy, Gerardo L. Luna
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is an interdisciplinary service project through California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), aimed at providing sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities. In Spring 2025, I participated as a rooftop safety lead and solar installer in Chinle, Arizona, where our team partnered with SOLV Energy, Goal Zero, and Heart of America to bring solar power to 40 off-grid homes across the Navajo Nation. As a member of Red Team #3, I was directly responsible for ensuring safe ladder setup, supervising rooftop work, mounting solar panels, and managing exterior cable routing for 8 successful installations. Beyond …
Design And Playhouse Plan For Girls Build Summer Academy 2025, Aracely Berber
Design And Playhouse Plan For Girls Build Summer Academy 2025, Aracely Berber
Construction Management
This project involves the development and execution of a week-long construction camp at Cal Poly aimed at introducing high school girls to the construction industry through the hands-on building of playhouses. This camp is coordinated by a professor in Cal Poly’s Construction Management Department and invites other industry professionals. The initiative not only promotes youth empowerment and gender diversity in the industry but also incorporates a strong educational and technical component. As part of the planning process, a detailed 3D model of the playhouse was created using Autodesk Revit to visualize the structure. Additionally, a materials list was created and …
The Third Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Marianne Nicole Bishai
The Third Annual Hasslein Caed Collaborative, Marianne Nicole Bishai
Construction Management
This paper details the planning, development, and impact of the third annual Hasslein CAED Collaborative Student Competition. The intention of the Hasslein Cup is to engage the students of the five College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) majors in an industry-like scenario. The five majors, Architecture, Architectural Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture, make up the workforce of the construction industry, yet there has been very little opportunity for the students to work together and replicate a professional scenario. The competition began from research conducted by Greta Stout, class of 2022, which explored the benefits …
Son Care Foundation - Pergola Preconstruction, Samuel J. Peters
Son Care Foundation - Pergola Preconstruction, Samuel J. Peters
Construction Management
This paper discusses the design and preconstruction aspects of a pergola constructed at Thousand Hills Pet Resort, supporting a non-profit organization called the Son Care Foundation. Founded in 1994 by Jack Gould, the foundation is committed to fostering hope through various programs including mentorship for students, service dog training for PTSD victims, basic pet training, vehicle repair and turnaround, and dog daycare and lodging. This project serves Son Care Foundation’s dog daycare and lodging program, called Thousand Hills Pet Resort. The program was established in 2005, and all profits are used to fund the other programs operated by the Son …
A Survey Of Industry Professionals On The Role Of Ff&E In Sustainability, Caius T. Toy-Grace
A Survey Of Industry Professionals On The Role Of Ff&E In Sustainability, Caius T. Toy-Grace
Construction Management
This study is designed to explore how professionals in the construction and design industries perceive the role of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) in building sustainability. Although FF&E is often viewed as a minor component of the overall construction process, it has the potential to significantly impact environmental outcomes through material sourcing, durability, and end-of-life recyclability. A survey was distributed to eight professionals in FF&E, construction, and sustainability-related fields. The survey included eight questions, with four multiple choice and four open-ended, designed to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights. Responses were analyzed to determine how often sustainability is considered in …
Skip The Grid: An Impactful Solar Installation Project In The Navajo Nation, John Ryan Strain
Skip The Grid: An Impactful Solar Installation Project In The Navajo Nation, John Ryan Strain
Construction Management
Over the past four years, a team of interdisciplinary students and faculty from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), Heart of America, and generous industry sponsors (SOLV, Goal Zero, NextTracker, Elite, and TCB Builders) have brought their time, effort, and resources together to complete a service trip, called Skip the Grid. The trip’s primary goal is to provide a reliable source of power, light, and refrigeration to families with school age children in the Navajo Nation where these resources are absent or unreliable otherwise. This year’s trip took place over Cal Poly’s academic break from March 23rd …
Plansyncc - A Construction Document Translation Software, Easton Richard Abreo, Ashton Lee Gandrup, Javier Solis
Plansyncc - A Construction Document Translation Software, Easton Richard Abreo, Ashton Lee Gandrup, Javier Solis
Construction Management
PlanSyncc was born from shared construction internship experiences, where the team observed significant language barriers between supervisors and tradesmen, leading to miscommunication, inefficiencies, and safety risk. Motivated by this problem, PlanSyncc developed an AI-powered translation software to bridge the gap by translating construction documents in real-time. To bring PlanSyncc to life, the team divided the project into three key deliverables: a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a business plan, and a pitch deck. The MVP involved creating two Python-based translation codes, one for specifications and another for complex construction plans using tools like PyMuPDF, Tesseract, mtranslate, and others. The business plan …
Satisfaction And Retention Analysis Of A 4/10 Workweek In Construction, Daniel C. Choy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 …