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 61 - 90 of 999
Full-Text Articles in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Skip The Grid 25-26: A Safety-Driven Solar Installation Project In The Navajo And Hopi Nations, James R. Wall
Skip The Grid 25-26: A Safety-Driven Solar Installation Project In The Navajo And Hopi Nations, James R. Wall
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 …
The Impact Of Bilingual Superintendents On A Multilingual Job Site, Cesar Barajas
The Impact Of Bilingual Superintendents On A Multilingual Job Site, Cesar Barajas
Construction Management
Language barriers are frequently encountered on construction job sites. Construction crews can often be limited in their proficiency when speaking English and in states like California, construction superintendents oversee a lot of Spanish-speaking crews. This study aims to identify if bilingual superintendents lead to better performing projects. Communication impacts major metrics of project performance including schedule, rework costs, safety performance, and coordination across trades. This qualitative study includes superintendents, project managers, and field crew semi structured interviews backed by survey answers. Interview participants discuss specific examples of how communication can affect jobsite performance both negatively and positively. Subjects are asked …
The Future Of Commercialized Bamboo Construction, Katie Hunt
The Future Of Commercialized Bamboo Construction, Katie Hunt
Construction Management
Bamboo construction is a niche area of research and development in the sustainable construction realm. The material has impressive structural properties and minimal carbon emissions relative to the world’s most common building materials (concrete, steel, and timber). It has long been used to build homes in tropical regions around the world. Outside of these regions, bamboo is rarely used for construction despite its abundant benefits as a sustainable building material. This report took an interview-based approach to address why bamboo is not more popular in the American commercial construction market and where it has potential for growth in the global …
Cmbuilder Introduction Tutorial, Hannah G. Benner
Cmbuilder Introduction Tutorial, Hannah G. Benner
Construction Management
This paper details the process and deliverables for a introductory-level tutorial for the program, cmBuilder. Recognizing the software’s growing relevance in the construction industry and its ease of-use, this student tutorial project aims to provide early exposure to the program for first- and second-year Cal Poly Construction Management students. There is currently no existing course or module at Cal Poly that covers an introduction to the basics of cmBuilder, so the goal of this course module is to bridge that gap. The deliverable is a course module for the Fundamentals of Virtual Design and Construction class, containing two tutorial videos …
Evaluating The Feasibility Of Recycled Asphalt Pavement And Warm Mix Asphalt In California Highway Construction, Ryan A. Milanesa
Evaluating The Feasibility Of Recycled Asphalt Pavement And Warm Mix Asphalt In California Highway Construction, Ryan A. Milanesa
Construction Management
California’s highway infrastructure faces increasing material costs, limited aggregate availability, and aggressive greenhouse gas reduction mandates. Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) offers a practical solution to reduce virgin binder demand and improve sustainability. However, Caltrans maintains conservative RAP limits due to concerns regarding stiffness related cracking and long term durability. This research evaluates the feasibility of increasing RAP content to approximately 40% when combined with Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technologies under California performance standards. A performance based framework was developed by reviewing federal guidance, peer-reviewed fatigue studies, life cycle cost analysis, and environmental assessment literature. Findings indicate that high RAP mixtures …
Slo Botanical Garden Outdoor Classroom, Nathan Berger, Jake Galster
Slo Botanical Garden Outdoor Classroom, Nathan Berger, Jake Galster
Construction Management
This paper focuses on the construction and completion of outdoor benches and tabletops for the renovation of the SLO Botanical Garden’s Outdoor Classroom. This project is student lead for the completion of the Cal Poly SLO Construction Management curriculum requirement of a senior project by the project team consisting of Nathan Berger and Jake Galster. The objective of the project is to build two 12’ long benches that allow the SLO Botanical Garden staff to store four bins beneath each bench. The table tops objective to provide students in the outdoor classroom a flat and level workspace that is removable …
Family Christian Center Storage Shed, Jacob Nehemiah Zuniga
Family Christian Center Storage Shed, Jacob Nehemiah Zuniga
Construction Management
This project focused on the planning and construction of a storage shed for my church to address growing space limitations. As classrooms and other functional areas were being used for storage, the goal was to create a dedicated storage solution that would free up interior space for ministry use. After receiving approval from church leadership, I developed a full project plan including a scope of work, cost estimate, quantity takeoff, schedule using Microsoft Project, site logistics plan, safety plan, and construction drawings. I also coordinated with the City of Patterson Planning Department to ensure compliance with local requirements. The project …
Life Cycle Assessment And Cost Analysis Of Exterior, Electrical, And Appliance Systems In A Prefabricated Mass Timber Residential Unit, Ella Rohrbough
Life Cycle Assessment And Cost Analysis Of Exterior, Electrical, And Appliance Systems In A Prefabricated Mass Timber Residential Unit, Ella Rohrbough
Construction Management
This study presents a detailed process-based life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis of selected building systems within a prefabricated mass timber residential unit constructed through an interdisciplinary design build project at California Polytechnic State University. The research focuses specifically on exterior envelope systems electrical infrastructure and major appliances. Material quantities were derived from a comprehensive construction material takeoff and modeled in OpenLCA using the ecoinvent database. A cradle to site system boundary including modules A1 through A5 was applied to quantify embodied environmental impacts such as global warming potential acidification fossil fuel depletion and human toxicity. Results indicate …
City Farm Slo Sheep Shed Concrete Slab Installation, Jake Simkins, Elijah Burt, Finnbarr Kelly
City Farm Slo Sheep Shed Concrete Slab Installation, Jake Simkins, Elijah Burt, Finnbarr Kelly
Construction Management
The City Farm SLO Sheep Shed Foundation Slab project, undertaken by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Construction Management students, aimed to improve the structural integrity and longevity of an existing livestock shelter at City Farm SLO. Initiated in coordination with Shane Lovell, owner and operator of City Farm SLO, and guided by Construction Management faculty member Mark Montoya, the project integrated community service with practical application of structural concrete construction principles. The scope involved temporarily removing an existing sheep shed from within an active livestock pen, preparing subgrade in muddy winter conditions, and constructing a reinforced 5-inch, 4500 …
Concrete Masonry Unit Construction: Creating Educational Modules On Sustainability, Eric Dam
Concrete Masonry Unit Construction: Creating Educational Modules On Sustainability, Eric Dam
Construction Management
Concrete Masonry Units are one of the most widely used building materials due to their durability, fire resistance, low maintenance, and specifications. With the growing trend for sustainable construction, it is necessary to teach students how CMUs can contribute to improving environmental performance and dive deeper into multiple resource efficiency. This project developed an instructional module that introduces CMU materials, reviews performance and durability attributes of these materials, and how they are linked to well-known rating systems. The final module includes a presentation, three assignments, and one quiz that will reinforce student learning and refresh industry professionals' knowledge. The following …
Life Cycle Assessment Of A Prefabricated Modular Timber Building, Bryan Mai
Life Cycle Assessment Of A Prefabricated Modular Timber Building, Bryan Mai
Construction Management
Traditional concrete construction carries a high carbon footprint, motivating interest in lower-impact alternatives such as prefabricated modular timber systems. This project conducts a process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) using OpenLCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of a modular timber building. Material quantities from major processes were modeled as flow inputs and converted into standardized OpenLCA units. Impact categories—including acidification potential, human toxicity, and energy/resource use—were analyzed to determine which materials and processes contribute most to overall environmental burden. Results show that transportation and plumbing materials drive the largest acidification impacts, while interior finishes dominate human toxicity. This LCA establishes a …
Building Kit For K-8 Education: An Introduction To Construction Fundamentals, Marc Joynt
Building Kit For K-8 Education: An Introduction To Construction Fundamentals, Marc Joynt
Construction Management
Introducing construction concepts to young students requires tools that are both engaging and easy to use, which led to the development of a laser-cut building kit designed for K–8 classrooms. The process began with hand-drawn sketches to establish a simple, age-appropriate structure. The design was then modeled in AutoCAD, where each individual component was drafted for fabrication. After completing the digital model, the files were transferred into Rhino and organized by layer to ensure accurate communication with the laser cutters used to produce the final basswood pieces. Throughout the project, challenges such as material limitations, tolerance adjustments, and simplifying complex …
Assessing Technology Adoption In The Construction Industry, Lucas D. Gibbons
Assessing Technology Adoption In The Construction Industry, Lucas D. Gibbons
Construction Management
The construction industry is steadily integrating new technologies, yet adoption varies widely depending on company size, market sector, and internal readiness. This study examines how common technologies such as drones (UAVs), Building Information Modeling (BIM), robotics and automated equipment, laser scanning/LiDAR, AI-driven scheduling or analytics tools, and augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) are being applied in practice, and what benefits they are delivering to construction organizations. To better understand the factors shaping adoption, a survey was administered to members of the CMAC (Construction Management Advisory Council) board representing a range of contractors and industry stakeholders. The survey assessed current technology …
Building A Sustainable Home On The Central Coast: An Owner’S Perspective, Austin Chase Anderson
Building A Sustainable Home On The Central Coast: An Owner’S Perspective, Austin Chase Anderson
Construction Management
As awareness and technology increase, sustainability as a focus in home construction is also increasing. This case study based research project seeks to understand the process of building a home on California’s Central Coast with sustainability in mind. An interview was conducted with an owner who built their home in Templeton in 2019. The interview was in a semi-structured format which included specific qualitative questions but mostly focused on an open-ended discussion which allowed the owner to share their own experience. The key challenges learned from this interview were that the owner believed price to be the main factor that …
The Utilization Of Biodiesel In Commercial Equipment In Construction, Ryan Bustos
The Utilization Of Biodiesel In Commercial Equipment In Construction, Ryan Bustos
Construction Management
The utilization of heavy machinery is essential to the success of all construction projects, but the dependence of traditional diesel fuel contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of the industry. Biodiesel presents a cleaner, more sustainable alternative, yet its adoption across construction sites remains limited. This paper will examine the current use of biodiesel by contractors and explore key barriers preventing its implementation. A series of interviews with industry professionals responsible for fuel and equipment management were conducted to collect various insights and perspectives on the alternative fuel. This study focuses on identifying obstacles such as biodiesel cost, availability, compatibility, …
Concrete Patio Demolition And Construction, Tyler Nielsen
Concrete Patio Demolition And Construction, Tyler Nielsen
Construction Management
A 6.25 cubic yard unreinforced concrete patio was constructed for the non-profit organization. This project included three phases: concrete slab demolition, grading and formwork, and concrete pouring. Each phase was estimated and then received owner approval prior to execution. The demolition phase involved obtaining city permits for a roll-off container for debris removal. This phase also included two days of work with over 10 demolition crew members, who were given the required training and equipment to ensure safety and productivity. The following weeks included grading and setting up formwork. Once the grade was complete, the formwork was laid out and …
Renovations At The Ranch Slo, Brandon Garcia
Renovations At The Ranch Slo, Brandon Garcia
Construction Management
This paper will follow the construction process for a project completed at The Ranch SLO in the spring of 2025 by two Cal Poly CM students. While the main reason for this paper is to follow construction processes, it will also address preconstruction and estimating associated with the project. The Ranch is a non-profit organization that provides a location where adults with disabilities can go and have recreational and employment training opportunities. The purpose of the project was to make renovations to an existing garden area and a chicken coop. The budget, planning, design, and construction means and methods were …
El Chorro Park Lumber Rack & Trailhead Kiosk Project, Nolan Christopher Gumm, Marvin Michael Garliepp
El Chorro Park Lumber Rack & Trailhead Kiosk Project, Nolan Christopher Gumm, Marvin Michael Garliepp
Construction Management
The EL Chorro Park Lumber Rack and Kiosk project was a collaboration with San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation. Located at El Chorro Regional Park in San Luis Obispo, California, the project involved building a 12-foot-long, 6-foot-wide, and 8-foot-tall lumber rack and reconstructing an outdated trailhead kiosk. The lumber rack addressed the need for organized storage of wood and metal pipes, while the kiosk was rebuilt to better serve park visitors. Recycled sheet metal from the client was used for the roof, and local suppliers were selected to support sustainability efforts. Funded entirely by a government entity, there were …
Untold Stories – Precast Concrete Bench Construction And Installation, Lucas Llodra
Untold Stories – Precast Concrete Bench Construction And Installation, Lucas Llodra
Construction Management
This paper outlines the design-build process led by an interdisciplinary team of Construction Management students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, to construct four concrete benches. In collaboration with faculty, concrete specialists, and the non-profit organization R.A.C.E. Matters, the project launched in Winter 2025. R.A.C.E. Matters initiated the effort by requesting the design and installation of benches at scenic, high-visibility locations managed by the San Luis Obispo Land Conservancy: Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. The full project scope included design development, structural calculations, prefabrication, on-site construction, and final installation. Each bench will serve as a …
Renovations At The Ranch Slo, Gerardo Valenciano-Valdivia
Renovations At The Ranch Slo, Gerardo Valenciano-Valdivia
Construction Management
The Ranch SLO is a non-profit organization that hopes to aid adults with developmental disabilities by providing outdoor employment opportunities. In the ten-and-a-half-acre property, the employees engage in a variety of different activities, ranging from planting and growing different plants, to caring for farm animals. Some of the structures in the ranch have a long time in service and need reinforcing/renovations, this project focused on two main areas where renovations took place. The first area was a garden table area equipped with a total of 10 garden tables and a shade structure covering exactly half of the tables. The main …
Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach, Luke Sutherland
Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach, Luke Sutherland
Construction Management
This paper presents the design and implementation of an augmented reality (AR) testing protocol developed to assess construction students' planning, sequencing, and real-time decision-making skills. Using Microsoft HoloLens, the simulation exposed students to realistic jobsite scenarios that required them to interpret plans, develop task sequences, and respond to evolving conditions in the field. The protocol was conducted with over 30 construction management students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and included three progressively complex scenarios focused on underground utilities, concrete formwork delays, and overhead MEP coordination issues. Data was captured through AR interaction logs, time tracking, instructor observation, …
Farm Furniture - City Farm Slo, Aiden Blackburn, Antonio Nunez
Farm Furniture - City Farm Slo, Aiden Blackburn, Antonio Nunez
Construction Management
Our senior project was to build 4 picnic tables, 6 picnic benches, 2 vegetable tables, and 1 hexagon shaped table for the City Farm SLO in San Luis Obispo, CA. We were grateful to help a local farm who focuses on education in the community and sustainable agricultural practices. We first estimated the project and created a preliminary schedule. This project lasted from mid-April to mid-June. The first step in the process was to estimate the cost and develop a preliminary schedule. The process for constructing the different build types was relatively similar: acquire materials, cut to size, assemble, sand, …
R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction, Jack Alexander Ritchie
R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction, Jack Alexander Ritchie
Construction Management
This senior project details the collaborative design, fabrication, and installation of three precast concrete benches for the nonprofit organization R.A.C.E. Matters in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Conservancy. The benches were designed to act as platforms for public art, amplifying diverse racial narratives through murals. A multidisciplinary team of students from Construction Management, Architecture, and Architectural Engineering worked together, with each discipline contributing to distinct phases of the project. Bench installations took place at the Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. This paper reflects on the hands-on construction process, the challenges of interdisciplinary coordination, and the real-world …
Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach, Spencer B. Gardner
Designing Augmented Reality (Ar) Simulations For Construction Scheduling Education: A Process-Based Approach, Spencer B. Gardner
Construction Management
Construction students often understand what’s being built, but not how it gets built. The process, which is timing, sequencing, adapting to real-world issues is harder to teach with traditional tools like plan sets and Gantt charts. To close that gap, this study explores how Augmented Reality (AR), using Microsoft HoloLens, can bring jobsite logic into the classroom. We developed three AR simulations, each with increasing complexity, to give students hands-on experience with real-world scheduling and coordination problems. The scenarios ranged from basic utility sequencing to adjusting for delays and correcting out-of-sequence installations. Students started with written planning, then moved into …
Case Study On Using Soil Nails In Unstable Substrates, Joseph Hass
Case Study On Using Soil Nails In Unstable Substrates, Joseph Hass
Construction Management
Soil nailing is becoming a popular method in construction projects to anchor retaining walls into soil. To maximize installation success rates and minimize pullout failure during testing, this case study examines efficient techniques and installation protocols for soil nails in unstable substrates through research and studying an active construction site utilizing soil nails. In geotechnical engineering, unstable soil conditions present serious difficulties that frequently result in delays, cost overruns, and compromised structural integrity. This study determines the main elements affecting nail performance by carefully examining field data, installation trials, and performance testing. Using real life experience and in-depth research of …
Construction Clothing Development Project, Reed A. Kellar, Noah R. Maytum
Construction Clothing Development Project, Reed A. Kellar, Noah R. Maytum
Construction Management
Relative to other industries, the construction market is slow to innovate. One clear example of this is in the clothing worn by its workers. Over the past 100 years, construction clothing and top brands have remained largely similar, even as workwear has begun marketing to larger, non-construction audiences. Construction clothing has become increasingly fashionable in popular culture, and we see this as an opportunity. To adapt to a modern world, this entrepreneurial project seeks to research which areas of construction clothing are lacking according to those in the industry and use this data to create a competitive product/brand that capitalizes …
Students' Evaluations Of Construction Management Curriculum Through A Senior Exit Interview, Anthony J. Roensch
Students' Evaluations Of Construction Management Curriculum Through A Senior Exit Interview, Anthony J. Roensch
Construction Management
This project explored student perspectives on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Construction Management program through a two-phase approach: individual interviews and a large group review session. Ten students with varied career goals and levels of involvement in the program were interviewed to understand their views on curriculum quality, industry engagement, extracurricular opportunities, and departmental support. The goal was to identify patterns in feedback across diverse student experiences. Following the interviews, a refined set of questions was developed and presented to a larger group of students in a structured discussion forum. This session provided further insights into both strengths and …
California Polytechnic Design-Build Lab Course, Nicho Domine
California Polytechnic Design-Build Lab Course, Nicho Domine
Construction Management
This paper explores the development and execution of a project-based Design-Build (DB) course implemented at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The course aimed to replicate real-world DB processes in a controlled academic setting, engaging Construction Management and Architecture students in simulated but immersive industry experience. From Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Final Presentation and Closeout, the course mirrors a typical DB project lifecycle. Through collaborative exercises, students gained exposure to roles and responsibilities, submittals, cost estimating, procurement strategies, risk analysis, virtual coordination, stakeholder communication, and more. This paper describes how a sequence of weekly assignments was structured to …
Skip The Grid: Off-Grid Solutions For Navajo Families, Jordan Badgley
Skip The Grid: Off-Grid Solutions For Navajo Families, Jordan Badgley
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a service project executed by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students, Heart of America, and SOLV Energy to provide sustainable power solutions to Navajo families in need. Within the vast, remote landscapes of the Navajo Nation, over 32% of households lack electricity, creating significant challenges for daily life. The 2025 Skip the Grid trip marked Cal Poly’s fourth consecutive year partnering in this impactful initiative. An interdisciplinary team of 20 students from 6 different areas of study, work collaboratively, preparing for months to ensure a successful installation trip in Chinle, Arizona. Over the course of …
Hawthorne Elementary Stage Set Construction, Sergio Daniel Manriquez, Alejandro Gonzalez
Hawthorne Elementary Stage Set Construction, Sergio Daniel Manriquez, Alejandro Gonzalez
Construction Management
The Pirate Ship and Playhouse project, undertaken by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Cal Poly Construction Management students, aimed to support arts education at Hawthorne Elementary School through the construction of theatrical set pieces for a Peter Pan performance. Initiated by Phil Barlow and guided by Anna Brennen from the school’s staff, the project integrated community service with practical learning in construction management. From initial design and material sourcing to final installation, the team emphasized safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Funding and logistical support from local businesses and Cal Poly facilitated the project’s success. This hands-on endeavor not …