Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Tettoia Iperbolica, Lydia Chou, Jack L. Walsh, William Jasper Mors, Simarjot S. Gandhoke, Ian F. Da Silva, Jamie L. Zimmerman

Architectural Engineering

Tettoia Iperbolica (Hyperbolic Canopy) is a multidisciplinary senior project created to revitalize an underutilized outdoor space next to the Architectural Engineering Building 21 at Cal Poly. The project responds to needs identified by faculty and staff, including limited gathering space, inadequate shading for the adjacent conference room, poor drainage, and a lack of ADA accessibility. Building on two previous senior project efforts, the 2025 team advanced the concept into a fully designed, structurally stamped, permitted redwood canopy supported by existing concrete columns and one new steel column.

The work included extensive site investigation to verify subsurface conditions, concrete strength testing, …

The Xenaform, Cassadie J. Golding

Architectural Engineering

The XenaForm explores how complex, expressive structures can emerge from simple, low-tech construction methods using principles of parametric design and structural geometry. By combining folded plate techniques with modular tetrahedral components, the project bridges high-tech digital modeling and hands-on physical fabrication. The result is a lightweight, buildable system that reclaims the engineer’s role as a form-finder.

Architectural Engineering Institute: International Student Design Competition 2025, Alexandra Marie Kersting, Alec Thomas Gibbs, Haley Francesca Sousa, Kline Genevieve Nickel

Architectural Engineering

The AEI International Student Design Competition is an annual competition held by the Architectural Engineering Institute that aims to replicate an integrated building design process. The 2025 Cal Poly team consisted of 4 Architectural Engineering students, each competing in the Structural and Integration disciplines. The team was provided a set of architectural drawings and a 3D architectural Revit model of Carson Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. The team was tasked with the creation of a complete structural design as well as a discussion of integration of other building design disciplines.

Sustainable Disposal Of Pecan Shells, Jose Carlos Carrasco

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Urbanization acceleration has increased the consumption of natural resources and carbon footprint, pushing the need for sustainable development. Even though various construction materials are needed for infrastructure development, the most commonly used material is Ordinary Portland Cement for strength (OPC) and durability, while sand is used as a filler in the mixes prepared with OPC. The main goal of this study is to find a sustainable substitute for sand, which is locally available and currently being placed in landfills. One such material is pecan shells, and a thorough analysis of the literature led us to investigate the possible use of …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 …

Preconstruction Services For Land Conservancy San Luis Obispo Deck Replacement, Russell Sprague

Construction Management

This senior project centers around a preconstruction collaboration between Semmes & Co. and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo (LCSLO) for a new deck at the Santa Rita Ranch house in Templeton, CA. The existing deck was in poor condition and not ADA compliant, prompting the need for a safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing replacement. This project supported the nonprofit by providing volunteer-based preconstruction services, including quantity takeoffs, a detailed material list, scope breakdown, labor estimates, scheduling, and logistics planning. Material options and scope variations were presented to LCSLO in a flexible pricing proposal using a Time and Materials …

A Review Of Work-Life Balance Among Recent Cal Poly Graduates, Max Murphy

Construction Management

Work-life balance has been a heavily debated topic in the construction industry, especially post-COVID. Due the popularization of the topic as well as the introduction of “hybrid” work schedules among multiple industries the idea of work-life balance within the construction industry has become prevalent. This paper aims to gather data about work-life balance and stress among the construction management industry. A survey was distributed to recently graduated construction management students from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo to gather quantitative data regarding work-life balance, commuting, work hours, stress, and mental health. This survey also features a voluntary section …

2025 Annual V.E.S.T Hackathon: Renovating Safety Harnesses, Mason P. Chamberlin

Construction Management

This paper presents the organizational framework and logistical planning involved in executing the 2025 Verifying Everyone’s Safety Together (V.E.S.T.) Hackathon, an annual innovation workshop hosted by the Construction Management Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The event brings together students, faculty, and industry professionals to reimagine and redesign common construction equipment with a focus on safety, usability, comfort, and inclusivity across diverse user profiles. The 2025 hackathon, held April 15–16, concentrated on safety harnesses, an essential component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. Participants engaged in the two-day event that included conceptualization, prototyping, and …

Skip The Grid: Delivering Solar Energy To The Navajo Nation, Lucca Giuseppe Pracilio

Construction Management

Skip the Grid (STG) is a program where companies within the construction industry come together to better the quality of life for the people of the Navajo Nation. Through collaboration with Goal Zero, SOLV Energy, NEXTracker, and Heart of America, the fourth Skip the Grid Trip installed 40 solar systems on homes within the Chinle region in northeastern Arizona. Officially finishing on March 27^th, 2025, the trip not only consisted of providing a service for the people of Chinle but also allowed California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students to learn about the history of the Navajo Nation …

2025 Annual Hackathon Redesigning Safety Fall Protection, Cole Lewis

Construction Management

The Verifying Everyone’s Safety Together (VEST) Hackathon is an annual event organized by construction management and social science students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Its purpose is to redesign a specific piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) to improve usability, comfort, and inclusivity, with a focus on providing equitable safety for all workers. This hackathon centered on fall protection, specifically safety harnesses, which are essential for protecting workers at height but often lack comfort and user-friendliness. Students, faculty, and industry guests gathered to examine current harness designs and develop practical, worker-informed improvements. The event space was outfitted …

Thousand Hills Pet Resort Cat Condos Installation And Qa/Qc, Erik Anders Ruud

Construction Management

This paper discusses the installation and quality assurance/quality control of four cat condos built for the Son Care Foundation at the Thousand Hills Pet Resort in San Luis Obispo. The Son Care Foundation is a nonprofit that provides professional daycare and overnight boarding services for dogs and cats while their owners are away. The cat condos serve cats during the day while their owners are at work or otherwise busy. Because three people were assigned to this project, the project was split into preconstruction, prefabrication, and installation/QA/QC. To meet the two-day installation window, due to active facility use, three cat …

Recommendation To Implement An Offsite Design And Construction & Mass Timber Buildings Tech Elective, Dino Kuljancic

Construction Management

This project presents a proposal for a new upper division elective course in the Construction Management program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The course would focus on mass timber construction as well as prefabrication and modular construction which are quickly growing areas of the industry known for their sustainability, efficiency, and compatibility with modern construction methods. While mass timber and pre-fabrication content exists in some university programs around the country, Cal Poly’s CM curriculum lacks a course specifically designed to give students practical, construction focused instruction on these topics. To determine student interest, a survey was conducted among current …

Assessing Fire Risks In San Luis Obispo: The Impact Of Building Construction And Landscaping On Wildfire Vulnerability, Zachary A. Pollock

Construction Management

As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity across California, understanding and mitigating residential fire risk has become a public safety priority. Communities in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), such as San Luis Obispo, are especially vulnerable due to their proximity to natural vegetation and the prevalence of older housing stock. While state and local agencies have introduced regulations and educational campaigns, there remains a need for accessible, scalable tools that help identify fire risks at the individual home level. This project assessed wildfire vulnerability across 140 homes in San Luis Obispo, California, using a custom visual grading rubric informed by academic …

Skip The Grid: Empowering Navajo Students Through Solar Energy And Education, Daniela S. Gonzalez

Construction Management

The Skip the Grid project by our California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) team was more than just installing solar panels. It was about making a real difference in people’s lives. We focused on helping families in Chinle, Arizona, a community where many households do not have access to electricity, clean water, or fresh food. These are basic needs that support students’ ability to learn and succeed. Without lights to do homework or warm meals to stay healthy, it becomes harder for kids to concentrate or dream about going to college. To help address these challenges, our team installed solar …

R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction, Camryn E. Berger

Construction Management

This paper presents a narrative detailing the design and construction process undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, representing the Construction Management, Architecture, and Architectural Engineering departments. The team collaborated to design, fabricate, and install three precast concrete benches for the nonprofit organization R.A.C.E. Matters. The project began in Fall 2024 and culminated in the installation of the benches at sites managed by the San Luis Obispo Conservancy: Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. Each bench will serve as a platform for murals, visually depicting diverse racial experiences. This paper …