Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Construction Engineering and Management Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Architecture (113)
- Construction Engineering (75)
- Business (28)
- Architectural Engineering (24)
- Education (22)
-
- Civil Engineering (18)
- Environmental Design (17)
- Architectural Technology (14)
- Structural Engineering (13)
- Urban, Community and Regional Planning (13)
- Curriculum and Instruction (12)
- Landscape Architecture (12)
- Other Architecture (10)
- Real Estate (8)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (7)
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (7)
- Environmental Engineering (7)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (7)
- Business Administration, Management, and Operations (6)
- Geotechnical Engineering (6)
- Historic Preservation and Conservation (6)
- Mechanical Engineering (6)
- Power and Energy (6)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (6)
- Construction Law (5)
- Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis (5)
- Environmental Sciences (5)
- Keyword
-
- Construction (165)
- Sustainability (69)
- Construction Management (60)
- Concrete (58)
- Safety (45)
-
- Design (41)
- Interdisciplinary (39)
- BIM (27)
- Navajo Nation (27)
- Cal Poly (26)
- Collaboration (25)
- Prefabrication (25)
- Project Management (25)
- Communication (24)
- Curriculum (23)
- Education (23)
- Preconstruction (23)
- Productivity (23)
- Estimating (22)
- Residential (20)
- Technology (19)
- Solar Energy (18)
- Solar (17)
- Schedule (16)
- Mass Timber (15)
- Modular (15)
- Women in Construction (15)
- Efficiency (14)
- Heavy Civil (14)
- Scheduling (14)
- Publication Year
- Publication
- Publication Type
Articles 121 - 150 of 1032
Full-Text Articles in Construction Engineering and Management
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 …
How Regulations Impact Contractors In California: Licensing, Insurance, Bonding & Permitting, Byron Rolando Calderon Cifuentes
How Regulations Impact Contractors In California: Licensing, Insurance, Bonding & Permitting, Byron Rolando Calderon Cifuentes
Construction Management
This senior project researches the impact of regulatory requirements, specifically licensing, insurance, bonding, and permitting, on contractors in California. The study addresses the question: How do regulations affect contractors’ ability to operate and grow? To examine this, qualitative interviews were conducted with six industry professionals, including general contractors, specialty contractors, and design-build firms. Additionally, 25 survey responses were collected from contractors and construction professionals to gain broader insights. The findings reveal that while licensing, insurance, and bonding are seen as foundational for establishing credibility and legal compliance, the permitting process presents the most significant challenge. Respondents consistently described permitting as …
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 …
Son Care Foundation – Pergola Structure Construction, Jackson Landless
Son Care Foundation – Pergola Structure Construction, Jackson Landless
Construction Management
This paper covers the construction process of a pergola structure for the Son Care Foundation in San Luis Obispo, California. The project’s goal in this study is to create a welcoming outdoor space for clients their dogs. Excavating four footings, fabricating custom rebar cages, and pouring concrete using fast-setting mix were all part of the construction efforts. Framing the structure required precise calculations to accommodate for the slope and corner braces. The matching white paint and corrugated PVC roof further achieved the desired aesthetic the client requested. Trial and error, practical experience, and cooperation with local material suppliers and maintenance …
Assessing The Impact Of The Women In Construction Leadership Course And Disc Training On The Construction Industry For Students And Recent Graduates, Amanda E. Mcdowell
Assessing The Impact Of The Women In Construction Leadership Course And Disc Training On The Construction Industry For Students And Recent Graduates, Amanda E. Mcdowell
Construction Management
This study examined the impact of the Women in Construction Leadership Course, paired with DISC training, on students transitioning into the construction industry. The DISC instrument classifies behaviors into four personality types (i.e., Dominant, Influencer, Steady, Conscientious) and the training helped students identify each personality type to improve their communication skills. Although technical skills are essential for completing daily tasks, effective leadership and communication are crucial to project success. This research explored how DISC training can improve new hires’ perceptions of their abilities to interact and communicate with their project team members. Through a survey of course participants, the study …
Discovering The Effective Actions Of Upstanders And Tackling Implicit Bias In The Workplace: Findings From A Workshop, Jacob H. Defreeuw
Discovering The Effective Actions Of Upstanders And Tackling Implicit Bias In The Workplace: Findings From A Workshop, Jacob H. Defreeuw
Construction Management
This project focused on exploring how both university students and construction industry professionals recognize and respond to opportunities to act as upstanders in workplace settings, particularly in support of underrepresented groups. The research aimed to bridge the gap between current industry practices surrounding implicit bias and the practical realities of advocating for inclusiveness on construction sites and in office environments. To achieve this, surveys were distributed to industry professionals, an in-depth literature review of modern upstander and implicit bias training strategies was performed, and a student-centered workshop was held at the Cal Poly Women in Construction Symposium. The workshop featured …
Hawthorne Elementary Stage Set Construction, Alejandro Gonzalez, Sergio Daniel Manriquez
Hawthorne Elementary Stage Set Construction, Alejandro Gonzalez, Sergio Daniel Manriquez
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 …
Assessing The Impact Of The Women In Construction Leadership Course And Disc Training On The Construction Industry For Students And Recent Graduates, Amanda E. Mcdowell
Assessing The Impact Of The Women In Construction Leadership Course And Disc Training On The Construction Industry For Students And Recent Graduates, Amanda E. Mcdowell
Construction Management
This study examined the impact of the Women in Construction Leadership Course, paired with DISC training, on students transitioning into the construction industry. The DISC instrument classifies behaviors into four personality types (i.e., Dominant, Influencer, Steady, Conscientious) and the training helped students identify each personality type to improve their communication skills. Although technical skills are essential for completing daily tasks, effective leadership and communication are crucial to project success. This research explored how DISC training can improve new hires’ perceptions of their abilities to interact and communicate with their project team members. Through a survey of course participants, the study …
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 …
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 …
Evaluating The Barriers To Virtual And Augmented Reality Adoption In The Construction Industry, Hayden C. Werts
Evaluating The Barriers To Virtual And Augmented Reality Adoption In The Construction Industry, Hayden C. Werts
Construction Management
Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies have demonstrated the ability to enhance design coordination, safety training, and field accuracy in the construction industry; however, their utilization remains limited. This study examines and assesses the gap between the capabilities of VR/AR and their actual implementation in the construction industry, utilizing a literature review and an analytical survey of 52 construction professionals. Survey results revealed that only 27% of construction managers have utilized VR/AR in their careers, although those with experience in these technologies rated them highly for their ability to reduce errors and improve coordination. Key barriers to adoption included high …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
Drilled Displacement Columns As A Method To Mitigate San Francisco 'Bay Mud', Cole Soderman
Drilled Displacement Columns As A Method To Mitigate San Francisco 'Bay Mud', Cole Soderman
Construction Management
This case study investigates the process of drilled displacement columns as a substitute for traditional pile foundations. The setting for the project is in California's infamous 'bay mud' which poses in the form of building settlement. The case study begins with a run down of what drilled displacement columns are compared to traditional pile foundations. To gain a diverse perspective several parties were interviewed on the process of drilled displacement columns. The interviewees include members of the general contractor's team, the subcontractor, and the Owner's Representative. The universal positives were time and materials which result in reducing the price for …
Introduction Of An Industial Construction Topics Course In The Cal Poly Cm Curriculum, Connor N. Merz
Introduction Of An Industial Construction Topics Course In The Cal Poly Cm Curriculum, Connor N. Merz
Construction Management
The industrial construction sector represents a significant portion of the construction industry, yet it remains underrepresented in many academic programs, including the Construction Management (CM) curriculum at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). This research investigates the feasibility and interest in introducing a dedicated industrial construction elective course to bridge this gap. A student survey was conducted to assess interest levels and determine relevant topics for the course, while an industry interview provided professional insight into necessary competencies. Survey results indicated strong student interest, with 71% expressing a willingness to take the course. The study identified key topics such as …
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 …
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 …
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 …