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 61 - 90 of 1032
Full-Text Articles in Construction Engineering and Management
Slo Garden Guy: Applying Construction Management Principles To A Residential Woodworking Business, Carson Smith
Slo Garden Guy: Applying Construction Management Principles To A Residential Woodworking Business, Carson Smith
Construction Management
This senior project applies construction management principles to evaluate the launch, performance, and future direction of SLO Garden Guy, a small-scale residential woodworking venture operating in San Luis Obispo. The project implemented structured estimating, standardized workflows, financial tracking, and risk analysis to assess real market demand, operational efficiency, and long-term scalability. Over the course of operation, the business completed numerous customer orders and demonstrated consistent seasonal demand patterns, particularly during peak gardening months. Analysis of production capacity, cost structure, and regulatory considerations provided insight into both the strengths and limitations of a niche, product-based service model. While the operation proved …
Analysis Of Construction Trends On California’S Central Coast, Erik G. Asplund
Analysis Of Construction Trends On California’S Central Coast, Erik G. Asplund
Construction Management
The California Central Coast experiences sustained housing demand and infrastructure pressure, yet it lacks the visible concentration of construction firms found in larger markets. This study examines why construction activity in the region appears limited despite a strong demand. Using a qualitative, interview-based approach, four construction companies who operate across Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties were interviewed to identify recurring themes related to labor, environmental regulation, housing feasibility, technology adoption, and future outlooks. The study concludes that structural constraints rather than lack of opportunity limit the scalability of construction on the Central Coast.
From Concept To Construction: A Carport For The Slo Botanical Garden, Trent A. Denholm
From Concept To Construction: A Carport For The Slo Botanical Garden, Trent A. Denholm
Construction Management
This paper documents the design, budgeting, procurement and construction of a timber framed carport with architectural shingle roofing at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden (SLOBG). The Botanical Garden, a nonprofit organization dependent on community support and volunteer labor, identified the need for covered storage and a dedicated charging station for its golf cart, a vehicle central to daily operations across the property. Without permanent shelter, the cart was exposed to the elements year-round, which contributed to equipment wear and reduced operational efficiency. Working simultaneously as project manager and lead builder, Trent coordinated stakeholder relationships, developed a project budget, secured …
Developing And Commercializing Large Language Model Applications For Automated Construction Submittal Review Requirements, Ryan Cracolice
Developing And Commercializing Large Language Model Applications For Automated Construction Submittal Review Requirements, Ryan Cracolice
Construction Management
The construction industry faces persistent challenges in document management, quality assurance, and project coordination. Despite advances in project management software, critical workflows such as submittal review, drawing interpretation, and specification compliance remain predominantly manual processes that consume significant project management resources and introduce risk through human error. Point Construction is an entrepreneurial venture that applies artificial intelligence and advanced imaging technologies to automate and enhance construction document intelligence. The platform integrates directly with industry-standard project management systems to provide AI-driven submittal review, automated drawing analysis, intelligent specification cross-referencing, and natural language querying of project documents. This paper details the conception, …
Drainage And Pedestrian Access Improvements At City Farms Slo, Benjamin Marc Kocher, Jacob Anthony Booker
Drainage And Pedestrian Access Improvements At City Farms Slo, Benjamin Marc Kocher, Jacob Anthony Booker
Construction Management
This senior project focused on planning, designing, and constructing drainage and pedestrian access improvements at City Farms SLO, a nonprofit in San Luis Obispo that promotes sustainable agriculture and youth education. Prior to construction, the site experienced significant stormwater pooling and erosion in a central area of the farm, making daily operations and visitor access difficult during wet weather. The team excavated an 80-foot trench drain with appropriate slopes, installed a 15-foot corrugated HDPE culvert with proper bedding and backfill, built a seven-foot pedestrian bridge over the trench, and created a 17-foot gravel pathway connecting the bridge to an existing …
Residential Boundary Fence Installation In Oceano, Ca, Ulysses Beas
Residential Boundary Fence Installation In Oceano, Ca, Ulysses Beas
Construction Management
This Senior Project focuses on the planning and execution of a residential boundary wooden fence for an elderly homeowner located in Oceano, California, alongside a partial front yard renovation that was an appreciation gift from her grandson. Prior to construction, the front yard was divided by a small ornamental iron fence, which provided very little privacy. This fence installation was designed to improve privacy, security and overall safety while working alongside hired concrete laborers. Not only was the goal to improve safety but also the aesthetics of the home. This Project includes a project scope statement, site measurements, fence layout, …
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 …
Factors Impacting Wildland-Urban Interface (Wui) Fires: A Systematic Literature Review, Albert Jimenez
Factors Impacting Wildland-Urban Interface (Wui) Fires: A Systematic Literature Review, Albert Jimenez
Construction Management
Fires in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) pose a significant danger to communities. The WUI refers to the space where development meets vegetation. Significant research has been conducted into wildfire and WUI vulnerability across the world to help combat vulnerability. These include the identification of factors of vulnerability to create indices that quantify vulnerability, and address scope gaps and inconsistencies within literature. However, existing research seems to be fragmented in finding the WUI vulnerability factors and often it focuses on wildfires and not WUI fires. The objective of this systematic literature review is to synthesize wildfire vulnerability factors identified in the …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Immigration-Related Workforce Instability And Its Impact On Residential Construction Operations In California, Ana Castro
Construction Management
Labor availability has become a major challenge for California’s residential construction industry, especially as immigration policies change and its workforce becomes more unstable. Most past research looks at overall labor statistics and industry trends, but not at how these issues affect construction projects day to day. This qualitative case study looks at how immigration policy and labor conditions affect the daily operations of a residential construction company in California. The research is based on six semi-structured interviews conducted with five superintendents and one executive leader. The results show that immigration-related labor challenges differ by location within California. Participants commonly described …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Caed Shop Entrance Wall Redesign, Ellen Elizabeth Untalan, Joelle Schalesky, Katherine Evalyn Timbes
Caed Shop Entrance Wall Redesign, Ellen Elizabeth Untalan, Joelle Schalesky, Katherine Evalyn Timbes
Architectural Engineering: Graduate Reports
This project involved the replacement and redesign of the north wall at the CAED Support Shop at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The redesign aligned the wall with the adjacent Engineering West building. The original concrete wall was designed with jagged recesses to accommodate large trash bins. These recesses no longer serve their intended function due to the permanent relocation of these bins. The replacement CMU low lift grouted wall optimizes courtyard space, enhances aesthetic cohesion, and maintains architectural features consistent with the existing structure. The following report outlines the process necessary to complete this project, including the permitting process, …
Thousand Hills Pet Resort Cat Condos Installation And Qa/Qc, Erik Anders Ruud
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 …
Exploring Who, Where, And When: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of A New Study Abroad Program, Garrett Schoep, Elijah Duane Blake
Exploring Who, Where, And When: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of A New Study Abroad Program, Garrett Schoep, Elijah Duane Blake
Construction Management
Study abroad programs can have a significant impact on the lives of college students. These programs create opportunities for students to experience the world, while earning college credit. As Cal Poly is transitioning from the quarter system to the semester system, there is an increase demand for a new study abroad program that is tailored to students’ preferences. Understanding what students want from a study abroad program is extremely important. To better understand student preferences, a survey was created and distributed to Cal Poly students. The goal of the survey was to identify trends amongst students to get a better …
Preconstruction Management Of The Cat Condos Project At Thousand Hills Pet Resort, Aeon Combs
Preconstruction Management Of The Cat Condos Project At Thousand Hills Pet Resort, Aeon Combs
Construction Management
This paper presents the preconstruction phases of the Cat Condos Project at the Thousand Hills Pet Resort, and the many challenges which were necessary to realize its completion. The Son Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in San Luis Obispo with many focuses such as outreach for veterans, prison rehabilitation, youth development, and other charitable pursuits. The Thousand Hills Pet Resort is a subsidiary of the Son Care Foundation which provides holistic boarding services to felines and canines alike, all the profits generated by the Thousand Hills Pet Resort are donated to sustain the Son Care Foundations’ charitable endeavors. …
Design And Playhouse Plan For Girls Build Summer Academy 2025, Aracely Berber
Design And Playhouse Plan For Girls Build Summer Academy 2025, Aracely Berber
Construction Management
This project involves the development and execution of a week-long construction camp at Cal Poly aimed at introducing high school girls to the construction industry through the hands-on building of playhouses. This camp is coordinated by a professor in Cal Poly’s Construction Management Department and invites other industry professionals. The initiative not only promotes youth empowerment and gender diversity in the industry but also incorporates a strong educational and technical component. As part of the planning process, a detailed 3D model of the playhouse was created using Autodesk Revit to visualize the structure. Additionally, a materials list was created and …
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 …
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 …
Preconstruction Services For Land Conservancy San Luis Obispo Deck Replacement, Russell Sprague
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 …
2025 Annual V.E.S.T Hackathon: Renovating Safety Harnesses, Mason P. Chamberlin
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 …