Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’S Maintenance Rating Program, Bryan Gibson, Rachel Catchings, Vinh Dao, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) relies on its Maintenance Rating Program (MRP) to systematically measure conditions on state-owned roads and rights of way. Every year, the Cabinet evaluates 300-400 road segments in each of its highway districts. Segments receive aggregate scores ranging from 0 to 100, with the target score being 80. This report appraises the MRP and discusses potential strategies for its improvement. Compared to asset management programs established at other state transportation agencies, KYTC’s performs quite well. Between 1999 and 2019, MRP data show that scores improved across all road types. In 2011, the average score for all …

Updating Congestion Performance Measures For Shift 2022, Mei Chen, Xu Zhang, Eugene Antwi Boasiako, Fahmida Rahman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has adopted a data-driven decision-making process to allocate funds for highway improvement projects. This process — Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT) — requires that candidate projects be scored on five critical metrics: safety, asset management, congestion, economic growth, and benefit/cost analysis. The congestion metric is vehicle hours of delay (VHD), which was first developed for the SHIFT 2020 cycle (1). For SHIFT 2022, VHD is estimated using probe speed data acquired for 166,527 directional miles of Kentucky highways.

This report summarizes analyses performed using 2018-2019 HERE speed data, and …

Economic And Environmental Benefits Of A Reduced Roadside Mowing Program For Kentucky Highways, Chris Van Dyke, Candice Wallace, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A growing number of state departments of transportation (DOTs) are introducing conservation mowing programs that aim to reduce the frequency of roadside mowing while expanding the footprint of pollinator habitat. Wanting to get a better handle on the utility conservation mowing, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) funded this study to explore the economic and environmental benefits that accrue from mowing less often. This report presents a synthesis of best conservation mowing practices based on a review of landscape management policies, programs, and procedures in use at 15 state DOTs. Most agencies divide the roadside into discrete management zones. While they …

Virus And Bacteria Inactivation Using Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes, Vincent Martino, Kyra Oschsner, Paige Elyse Peters, Daniel Zitomer, Brooke K. Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The control of infectious diseases is a critical challenge in developing and developed nations alike. Humans can be exposed to pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria through numerous routes of transmission, including waterborne transmission. Accordingly, effective water disinfection processes are paramount for public health protection. In this study, the inactivation efficacy of P22 virus and Escherichia coli bacteria was tested using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs), which provided effective disinfection of both waterborne microorganisms. Using a peak wavelength emission of 255, 265, or 285 nm, the batch-test, UV LED collimated beam system demonstrated high inactivation potential for both microorganisms …

Data Mining Of Unstructured Textual Information In Transportation Safety Domain: Exploring Methods, Opportunities And Limitations, Keneth Morgan Kwayu

Dissertations

The unprecedented increase in volume and influx of structured and unstructured data has overwhelmed conventional data management system capabilities in organizing, analyzing, and procuring useful information in a timely fashion. Structured data sources have a pre-defined pattern that makes data preprocessing and information retrieval tasks relatively easy for the current technologies that have been designed to handle structured and repeatable data. Unlike structured data, unstructured data usually exists in an unorganized format that offers no or little insight unless indexed and stored in an organized fashion. The inherent format of unstructured data exacerbates difficulties in data preprocessing and information extraction. …

Analysis Of The Implementation Of Fluid Viscous Dampers In A Steel Special Moment Frame, Brad D. Weber

Architectural Engineering

This report examines the effects of adding fluid viscous dampers to a steel special moment frame through a series of analysis methods. Simple analysis procedures are first carried out and described, including a linear static procedure and a linear dynamic procedure. Then further analysis is carried out using a nonlinear dynamic analysis procedure. Multiple parameters are modified throughout the analysis processes to determine the impact on results and the data from all the analysis methods are compiled and used to demonstrate the overall impact of the use of fluid viscous dampers in a steel special moment frame.

Reconceptualizing Mies' Glass House, Araceli Avelar, Armando Castaneda Jr, Madison Lam, Ignatius Malari, Alejo Favero, Augusta Orlauskaite, Ella Gleason

Architectural Engineering

Our team used the glass house studio to explore class stratification, particularly using the glass as a reflection of class dichotomy in our society. The glass and Miesian design approach glorifies the clean cut, picture-perfect utopia only accessible to the wealthy few. But reality proves that there is more to this. As architects and engineers, we should strive to create environments that may uphold our values of equity and diversity and ultimately serve all sectors of society.

The Nolan House, Keiko-Ann K. Sanders, Gilbert C. Munoz, Michael A. Bahr, Titas Kalvalnis

Architectural Engineering

As a precedent, The Green Team analyzed the history of glass architecture, literature, and culture. Based on our research, we found that glass is often depicted as breakable, delicate, and a way to expose or display aspects that would otherwise be hidden. We challenged ourselves to incorporate safety and privacy into our glass house as a way to combat the pre-existing notions of glass in architecture.

Design And Construction Of Modular Concrete Footings And Testing Assembly For Use In Cal Poly's High Bay Laboratory, Thomas Little, Anders Johnson

Architectural Engineering

The purpose of this project was to improve the testing capabilities of the ARCE High Bay lab by designing and fabricating a pair of modular concrete footings along with a reusable testing frame capable of testing full-scale steel moment connections.

Electrocoagulation-Electrooxidation For Mitigating Trace Organic Compounds In Model Drinking Water Sources, Donald R. Ryan, Emily K. Maher, Joe Heffron, Brooke K. Mayer, Patrick J. Mcnamara

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In-situ water treatment can be accomplished using electrochemical treatments such as electrocoagulation (EC), which generates coagulants, and electrooxidation (EO), which generates oxidants (e.g., free chlorine and reactive oxygen species) via electrolysis using boron-doped diamond electrodes. In sequential EC-EO, EC can remove oxidant scavengers present in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), thereby improving the efficacy of downstream oxidation via EO. This study evaluated sequential EC-EO (and each process independently for comparison) for mitigating the trace organic compounds (TOrCs) acyclovir (ACY), trimethoprim (TMP), and benzyldimethyldecylammonium chloride (BAC-C10) in model groundwaters and surface waters. EO-only removed greater than 70% of ACY and TMP but …

Impact Of New Generation Wide-Base Tires On Fuel Consumption, Izak M. Said, Egemen Okte, Jaime Hernandez, Imad L. Al-Qadi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This study combined multiple approaches to evaluate the structural and economic impact of using new-generation wide-base tires (NG-WBT) in New Brunswick, Canada. A three-dimensional finite-element model of a typical pavement structure used in New Brunswick was used to predict critical pavement responses. The model includes measured tire-pavement contact forces among other variables overlooked in conventional flexible pavement analysis approaches. Using the model output, regression analysis was performed to predict the responses under various loadings to avoid performing the time-consuming finite-element analysis. Eight-year weight-in-motion data and critical pavement responses were used in transfer functions to predict pavement damage and the corresponding …

Journeyman International: Dwell Being Jonestown, Mississippi, Autumn Wagner

Architectural Engineering

Journeyman International is a non-profit organization that works with countries all over the world to support humanitarian projects by pairing clients with design professionals and volunteers to oversee the design and construction of projects. This specific project partners with Third Lens Ministries and But God Ministries, two organizations that are hoping to empower the community in Jonestown, Mississippi. Dwell Being promotes sustainability and affordable housing in a new housing community in Jonestown that is designed for healthy living and community interaction. Jonestown is a very small 0.4 square acre town that has roots in systemic racism and oppression. A once …

Structural Calculations For Salvation Academy School For Disadvantaged Children, Emma Constance Lambert

Architectural Engineering

Journeyman International is a non-profit organization who partners with students and professionals to provide architectural design, architectural engineering, and construction management work for developing countries in order to combat poverty and ecological destruction on a global scale. The Salvation Academy for Disadvantaged Children is sponsored by Journeyman International and a private client to provide a school campus with a safe and productive environment for children and staff with disabilities. The campus is equipped with classrooms, outdoor gymnasiums, residences for both students and faculty, as well as computer labs and conference areas. The site is located in the Western Area of …

Dental Cement Thickening Agents For Mudslide Prevention, Kristina Emiliya Babayev, Emily Elizabeth Johnson, Diana Evet Reihaneh

Materials Engineering

The purpose of this project is to develop a non-toxic mud thickening agent for the application of decreasing mudslide intensity where performance is measured by flow rate, viscosity, and toxicity tests. We hypothesized that dental cements could be a potential candidate due to their adhesive, hydrophilic, and biocompatible properties. Zinc phosphate, glass ionomer, and polycarboxylate cement were among the dental cements tested. These tests were performed at low and high concentrations of 25 grams and 125 grams, respectively, mixed into soil to produce 3500 gram samples. The dental cements produced noticeable thickening effects in the mud, as the average viscosity …

The Leed Decision-Making Processes For Northern California Commercial Construction, Shannon Marie Coyle

Construction Management

The purpose of this project was to establish a common decision-making process behind selections on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) scorecard. This report describes the similar and dissimilar motives and processes that lead construction project teams to choose the LEED credits to be implemented. By interviewing experienced project executives, architects, project managers, and LEED accredited professionals at industry-leading companies in the Bay Area, a summarization of the motives behind credit selection have been reported and commonalities and differences in the process have been noted. Through these interviews, time, cost, efficiency, and sensibility have all been considered prioritizing …

Development Plan For A Multi-Family Residential Building In San Luis Obispo, Shelby L. Wineman

Construction Management

Real estate development is often regarded as a daunting effort that requires a large sum of time and money. However, a greater supply of multi-family housing will protect cities from this homelessness, lack of availability to education, along with poor mental and physical health conditions. This paper addresses methods in which any new developer can efficiently approach developing small-scale, multi-family housing in San Luis Obispo and see overall profitability. The initial research set forth provides interested parties with a generalized basis of the analysis of value, design considerations, and methods of savings involved in development. The research is then directly …

The Benefits And Challenges Of Automation In The Modular Construction Industry, Allen Le

Construction Management

Modular construction combined with automation technology such as robotics presents benefits and challenges associated with it. Modular construction takes on the traditional building methods and has streamlined the production of modules making it safer, efficient, and productive. Along with innovation and cutting-edge technology such as automation, it offers an alternative building method to the modular construction industry that enhances productivity, worker safety, and efficiency. This research presents an investigation on factors that may be benefited from the adoption of automation but also addresses the challenges in modular construction. Qualitative interviews with designers and consultants in the modular industry were conducted …

Addressing Mep Labor Shortages And Methods To Attract Young Adults Into The Trades, Hernan Garcia Alonso

Construction Management

The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) fields require a large skilled workforce. In recent years, companies have experienced shortages of skilled employees. These shortages arise from many causes, a root cause identified is the decrease of young adults pursuing MEP careers. This project focuses on the reasons young adults are reluctant to enter these careers, such as misconceptions or lack of knowledge on MEP careers. A pool of twelve MEP companies was surveyed regarding their experiences with the causes of labor shortages and the short-term mitigation methods used. They were also asked about their perspective on the lack of young …

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Benches, Brandon Keefer

Construction Management

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is an outdoor area where people often gather for events such as weddings or just simply for a casual stroll through nice scenery. There were 6 students, including myself, who teamed up to complete this project where we divided into two sub-teams, one design team and one construction team. Since I was assigned to be the team captain but was placed on the construction team, I will touch a little bit on the design process since I was involved with overseeing this aspect but focus mainly on the actual construction of the benches. This …

Sustainability In Residential Construction: Homeowner Input On Sustainable Features, Samuel Bina

Construction Management

Recently, sustainability has become extremely popular in construction, and in particular residential construction. Regulations for sustainable construction have increased over the years and have begun to increase in popularity amongst homeowners. This report dives further into the importance of sustainability in residential construction, in particular working with homeowners to identify the best methods of increasing sustainability in their homes. Currently, little information has been published regarding homeowners’ perspectives on sustainability and the types of features they would be likely to incorporate into their homes that are not mandated by codes. This report serves to provide information to both the construction …

Analyzing The Causes Of Labor Shortage In The Commercial Carpentry Trades In The San Francisco Bay Area, Jack Crayne

Construction Management

Skilled labor is vital to the success of any construction project, and no contractor would be able to operate without the skilled laborers that they employ. The construction industry has been subject to a shortage of skilled labor for the last two decades for many reasons, including the poor image of construction workers among the public, inadequate training measures, and an aging workforce. Reviewing the literature on the matter shows that the leading cause of shortage is low pay and increasing age of the workforce overall, while the demand for labor grows at a faster rate than the supply of …

Terra Nova High School Outdoor Development, Amanda J. Kaesler

Construction Management

This paper describes the preconstruction planning of an outdoor space at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, Ca. The project involved the production of three separate proposals at a high, moderate, and low-cost point. Each proposal included a conceptual design, takeoff, estimate, and model renderings. To create the conceptual designs and estimates, several programs and outside sources were utilized, including Revit, Bluebeam, RS Means, and Precision Estimating Services. The end designs include varying combinations of outdoor picnic seating, site boulders, raised planter beds, and a concrete stage. The resulting proposals outline the expected project costs for each design as well …

Conceptual Proposal For New Student Housing In San Luis Obispo, Jack F. Tunney

Construction Management

This real property development project walked through the steps and procedures that are typical for real property development. The project focused on a conceptual multi-unit student housing project located near Cal Polys campus. The rental market in San Luis Obispo is very competitive and through market and financial analysis, it was determined that there is a demand for projects like the one proposed. The project walked through the processes associated with the financial analysis of a potential construction project in San Luis Obispo. The project identifies a site, creates a budget both for construction, development, and design costs, then analyzes …

The Utilization Of Industrial Hemp As A Structural Material, Matthew C. Wirick

Construction Management

The need for alternative materials within the construction industry is increasing as more projects are undertaken. Many of the natural resources currently used are being depleted. Various alternatives, such as using recycled concrete as a replacement for aggregate, are being researched and applied to projects with the purpose of reducing construction waste. However, substitutes are needed especially when it comes to structural materials. Industrial hemp is a fast-growing fibrous plant that can be made into a variety of goods and has properties that give it a high enough strength to be fabricated into products that can handle loads such as …

The Relationships Between Personality Types And Project Management Team Satisfaction, Patrick Moran

Construction Management

This research studies the relationships between personality types in Project Managers and Project Engineers and how they relate to project team satisfaction. Goals this research set out to accomplish include: finding relationships between personality types and team satisfaction, determining if heterogeneous or homogeneous team compositions yield greater levels of satisfaction, and determining if certain personality types influence team satisfaction more than others. In order to answer these goals, a specific study was conducted comparing two project teams composed of PMs and PEs. These teams were instructed to complete the NERIS Type Explorer® along with a Likert Scale questionnaire to self-assess …

Value Of Smart Home Devices And Cost Of Implementation, Danny Liu

Construction Management

A home to many is a comfortable and safe place to enjoy their leisure, a getaway from the world around them, and something they truly appreciate acquiring. A smart home can contribute to the comfort, efficiency, and value of a home to certain individuals. Upgrading a home from a traditional aspect to a smart home can be done as an easy do-it-yourself project on a weekend or several, depending on the number of upgrades desired. Major brands have and continue to release new products for smart homes that are simple and easy to use. The estimate sheet provided gives homeowners …

Ways Of Going About Determining Backup Power Options For Homes In California, James G. Ziebell

Construction Management

In an ever-changing climate, California is becoming more of a wildfire prone state during fire season through recent years. With the increase in wildfires over the past couple of years, power shutoffs initiated by utility companies and power outages due to nature have been negatively affecting residents that are directly or indirectly affected by wildfires. As residents of California become more susceptible to being affected by these power shutoffs and outages, residents are looking for ways of powering their homes when the power is off. The most common backup power options for residents are gas as well as natural gas …

Skill Sets Of Students In Comparison To Their Preferred Route After College, Shay O'Laughlin

Construction Management

Many of the superintendents and project managers today come out of higher education instead of coming up through the trades. This creates a large need for universities to produce both quality superintendents and project managers to run jobs efficiently and effectively in the future. This research paper focuses on the skillsets of construction management students at Cal Poly in relation to their anticipated career path, to see if students are choosing their path based on the skills, they have self-assessed or another factor. The hypothesis is that students are tending to not choose their route based on skills but instead …

Engineers In Action Bridge Program - Creation Of The Cal Poly Chapter, James Foad

Construction Management

The purpose of this project was to establish a chapter of Engineers in Action at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Engineers in Action is a non-profit organization which is dedicated to constructing footbridges in underserved countries. Bridges are linked to many benefits for those without reliable access year-round. Chapters of this organization work to design, fund, and build the footbridges in remote locations consisting of West Virginia, eSwatini, and Bolivia. The plan for the chapter was to establish a founding team which can work together to both recruit new members, and complete the tasks needed to successfully …

Augmented Reality Use In Construction - A Case Study Of The Industry, Jonathan P. Lin

Construction Management

The construction industry has been lagging in adopting technology applications but has begun to integrate them in the past few years. Augmented reality (AR) is an innovative technology that allowed for the visualization of virtual objects in the real world. Presently, it can be used for various activities and tasks in construction but does not yet have the accuracy to be relied on. This case study interviewed industry personnel to determine if AR should be implemented into practice based on their experiences in the field. Based on the responses, the majority believed that it was a potential technological tool that …