Construction Engineering and Management Commons^™

A Case Study: The First Coastal Nuclear Decommissioning Project In California, Willie Aaron Quiros

Construction Management

San Onofre Nuclear Generating System (SONGS) is one of two nuclear power plants in California. Since the shut down in 2012, there is only one actively remaining, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, which is set to shut down in 2024. This paper will examine the decommissioning of SONGS thus far; the first coastal nuclear decommissioning project in California’s stringent permitting process. This project was awarded as a joint venture to AECOM and Energy Solutions, both having experiencing in the field of nuclear decommissioning. This paper will outline what nuclear decommissioning challenges have been in the past; general steps of decommissioning …

Shell House Demo, Cameron Tilmont

Construction Management

The Shell House demo was recommended by the Associate Dean of CAED as a potential senior project for students. Built decades ago it had deteriorated over time. The purpose of this project was to clean up Poly Canyon Architecture Graveyard, making it a nice, safe place to visit. This project interested the author because it was something different and was geared more towards heavy civil.

To get started, a permit had to be submitted to the CAL POLY building department. This process took longer than expected. The permit wasn’t released until an environmental impact test was conducted, resulting in asbestos …

The Impact Of Education On Career Growth In The Construction Industry, Luis F. Rodrigues

Construction Management

A construction management degree and an apprenticeship are the two educational routes for a career in the construction industry. There are divisions within the workforce that reflect these educational pathways. Ideally, an alternative education would allow individuals without access to a university education to develop their career from an entry level position. However, if education has a long-term career impact, then limiting factors on education are consequently limiting on career growth. In examining if there is a ceiling on career growth relative to educational backgrounds, both education and experience were identified as key variables. In the case study presented, the …

Means And Methods Of Residential Construction And Design In Remote Areas Of Southeast Alaska, Joseph Anthony Masters

Construction Management

Building in the remote locations of Southeast Alaska is currently an unexplored area of construction that has been avoided due to the complications that accompany such projects. Many property owners in the Southeast Alaska region face challenges due to a lack of common practices that would simplify the construction process, particularly those deprived of road access and utility services. These potential residents must rely on sustainable techniques and alternative modes of material transportation, creating an abundance of planning concerns. Additionally, while code restrictions are limited due to the uniqueness of these properties, certain codes regarding the Alaska Department of Natural …

Comparative Case Study: Understanding Why Clients Hire A 3rd Party Construction Manager, Brandon Ivan Perez

Construction Management

Many construction management students are unfamiliar with the project management for fee industry and the relationship between a construction manager and a project owner. Construction Management programs typically teach their students the variety of project delivery methods available to a client for their project. The Agency-CM project delivery method is not the most common project delivery method, and students have expressed interest in learning more about this side of the construction industry. This senior project will illustrate (3) different real-world projects where former clients chose to hire Cumming Corporation as an 3rd party construction manager and what factors drove them …

Cal Poly Women In Construction Youth Outreach: Girl Scouts In Construction Program, Katherine I. Love

Construction Management

Construction is, historically, a predominately male-dominated major, but today, countless efforts are made to change this. Girl Scouts in Construction was created to help the Cal Poly Women in Construction Club increase their youth outreach. This event was hosted to give a positive-hands on construction experience to increase construction exposure to girls at a young age. Through organizing this event, the connections between the Cal Poly Women in Construction Club and the Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast, National Association of Women in Construction, Cal Poly Construction Management Department, and a few general contracting companies were all strengthened. At this …

On-Site Design Of A Water Filtration System In Rural Ghana, Donald Eugene Long

Construction Management

Agbokpa is a rural community in southern Ghana with no access to clean or running water. Villages without access to water face significant hurdles in obtaining an education and developing their communities’ infrastructure and economy. In August of 2019 Cal Poly students Eugene Long, Fletcher Podosek, and Mason Nolan traveled with professors Paul Redden and Dr. Nathan Heston to Agbokpa to fix this problem. The team spent three weeks living in the village and constructing a water tower, pumping system, and filtration system that communally serves the village. The team worked with local craftsmen and sourced nearly all equipment and …

Online Platform For Construction Management Internship Reviews, Erica Zetterquist

Construction Management

This paper discusses the process I went through to develop a website for Construction Management students to review their internships. The scope of the project was to create an online platform similar to “Polyratings” and “Rate My Professors” for Cal Poly Construction Management students to review internships. Reviews from peers would be accessible to students to help them through their job search process. Relative information such as salary, company culture, and other information collected in my survey allows peers better context of the internship experience. Part of the creating process of my website included research into web design sites like …

Investigation Of Grout - A Comparison Of Standard Grout Mix To Self-Consolidating Grout Mix, Rachel Garcia Chandler

Architectural Engineering

Masonry is a major structural material for low rise buildings, however the design of masonry buildings is rarely taught as a formal course at most universities. As part of the educational experience and to become familiar with the specifications and testing procedures for grouted masonry, a student run experiment on varying the water to cement ratio of masonry grout was conducted. The purpose is to report on the effects of changing the water-to-cement (W/C) ratios in a standard grout mix. The typical W/C ratio is approximately 0.80:1.00. In order to show the effects of increasing water in a grout mix, …

A Case Study On The Use Of Drones On Heavy Civil Construction Projects, William Devers

Construction Management

Even though the construction industry is known for being behind the curve in adopting new technologies for change, construction professionals are constantly striving for ways to save money and improve efficiency. The emergence of drone technology in recent years has sparked new interest among these professionals for those exact reasons. These flying machines offer numerous benefits to construction companies such as bypassing traditional surveying methods, using photogrammetry to create 3D models used for estimating quantities, improving team communication, ensuring worker safety, increasing owner satisfaction, among other benefits. In this case study, personal interviews will be conducted on a single construction …

Cost Impact Of Converting A Fleet Of Diesel Concrete Mixer Trucks To Compressed Natural Gas, Shea Fredrick Blackman

Construction Management

Sustainable practices in the built environment are becoming more and more sought after. With LEED gold and platinum becoming the new standard in commercial construction, contractors in all areas of construction are looking for ways to build more sustainably. When creating a strategy for achieving sustainability, transportation has been identified as an area of the construction industry that can help significantly reduce carbon footprint, especially concrete mixer trucks. One question presents itself: Will the cost impact of converting a fleet of concrete mixer trucks from diesel to compressed natural gas outweigh the environmental benefits? This case study will examine the …

Integration Of Digital Forms For Improved Safety And Quality Control: A Case Study, Andrew Cisterman

Construction Management

The integration of new technology into the construction industry is commonly practiced in an attempt to improve standards and quality. iAuditor is an inspection checklist app which provides clients with the tools to build custom and dynamic forms to fit the needs of its client base. This paper examines the effectiveness of integrating this new software and observe the difficulties of integrating such new practices into a company’s safety and quality control programs. Additionally, this paper evaluates ways the aforementioned software could be improved to better meet the needs of its users as well as assess ways it could be …

A Case Study On The Feasibility Of Shipping Container Homes As Housing For Disaster Victims, Devin C. Cameron

Construction Management

This case study is designed to examine the feasibility and possible implementation of the use of modified steel shipping container units, as temporary relief housing for victims of natural disasters. In this study we will analyze an on-going shipping container project being constructed in Santa Rosa, CA as well as use previously constructed research on this type of construction. The point of this research is to develop and analyze areas in which shipping container projects like this one could be more expeditious and more cost efficient in the future. In short, my findings proved modular shipping container home construction, as …

Journeyman International - Kilimbi Community Center And Eco-Lodge - Rwanda, Africa, Chris Audi

Construction Management

This project based senior project is an interdisciplinary partnership with a non-profit called Journeyman International (JI) and students from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). Journeyman International worked Empowering Villages and our design team to design a community center, eco-lodge, and guest houses to enable the local population to take advantage of a tourism heavy area creating jobs and income. Empowering Villages objective is to empower, train, and build up the people they work with and hope to someday see Villages around the world become self-sufficient by working with locals …

Logistics Of Construction In Agbokpa, Ghana, Fletcher David Podosek

Construction Management

In August of 2019, three Cal Poly CM students will travel to the remote fishing village of Agbokpa in Ghana. Our project is to install a water filtration system that will create potable water for the villagers that currently have to walk miles to obtain clean water. We will be laying nearly 1000 ft of pipe, installing a solar powered pump, and building a water filtration system hours away from any electricity. A project of this type requires a great deal of logistical planning in order to ensure that all aspects of the project is thought of and planned for. …

Poly Canyon Observation Deck, Harrison James Woods, Anthony Joseph Pellegrini

Construction Management

This senior project paper will delve into the background, setbacks and triumphs that where undergone during the course of this project based senior project- The first permanent structure in Poly Canyon in 15 years. Built in true “Learn By Doing Fashion” in the experimental, hands-on lab that some may better know as “Architecture Graveyard.” The project was one of extreme adversity, from fundraising difficulties and a condensed schedule, to unique site conditions and lack of manpower. The students involved in this project showed a strong sense of purpose and determination to see this structure through to completion.

A Framework For Bim Model-Based Construction Cost Estimation, Michael Clark

Master's Theses

This thesis presents a framework to conduct a quantity take-off (QTO) and cost estimate within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Environment. The product of this framework is a model-based cost estimating tool. The framework addresses the cost uncertainty associated with the detailed information defining BIM model element properties. This cost uncertainty is due to the lack of available tools that address detailed QTO and cost estimation using solely a BIM platform. In addition, cost estimators have little experience in leveraging and managing information within semantic-rich BIM models. Unmanaged BIM element parameters are considered a source of uncertainty in a model-based …

Ciob Global Student Challenge – Evaluation Of Virtual And International Competitions Aimed At The Construction Management Curriculum, Nicklaus Bryce Wilcots

Construction Management

Each year the Chartered Institute of Building hosts a six-week virtual competition called the Global Student Challenge. Three Cal Poly Construction Management students and myself competed in this competition. This challenge was an international competition that gave students the ability to manage their own construction company. This competition is the gateway to enhancing higher-level education through academic competitions. Students competitions, such as the ASC competitions, have been shown to improve academic success as Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing methodology is utilized. However, the largest flaw with academic competitions is the negative impact on classes outside of construction management. The purpose …

Utilization Of Data Analytics In The Buyout Process, Andrew William Dowdle

Construction Management

This is a qualitative research project designed to analyze the feasibility of using data analytics in the buyout process. The research methodology for the paper is presented. A series of interviews with industry professionals were conducted to gather data for this paper. These interviews targeted various fields relating to the topic, including; data analytics, information systems, and construction management. Themes that emerged in these interviews include industry application, data collection, the buyout process, similar applications, and subcontractor evaluation. Insights into how data analytics in the buyout process would affect the industry are also present in this paper. These preliminary results …

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Bridge House Remodel Project, Severin B. Elste

Construction Management

The Bridge House, located in Poly Canyon, was originally constructed in 1968. Its original purpose served as a seismic activity lab for Architectural Engineering (ARCE) students. I joined a team of 4 ARCE students, making this an interdisciplinary project. There have been a few other groups who have tried to complete this project but have always fallen short. With the calculations and structural drawings provided by the ARCE students, we had a design and plan to fabricate the hand railings. We have completed 13 handrails, with four already installed on the structure by another group, that have now replaced the …

Ciob Global Student Challenge - Integration Into Professional Financial Training, George M. King

Construction Management

As anyone in the construction industry knows, a construction business is one of the most risky to start compared to any other industry. This does not mean that it should be avoided by potential entrepreneurs, just viewed with a more cautious eye than other industries. Those considering entering the industry should have experience and confidence in their ability to perform prior to the establishment of a company. One way to gain this experience is through years of work in the respective sector. Another, more experimental method, is through the use of competitive virtual training. The latter requires less training time …

Tiny Home Retail, Shane M. Simpson

Construction Management

Tiny homes on wheels are exploding in popularity all around the world. Television shows and YouTube channels dedicated to tiny homes have garnered cult followings. Many people view purchasing or constructing a tiny home as a viable option to gain freedom and escape the perceived trap of renting or home ownership. There seems to be a market for these homes, however, after research I found purchasing one can be extremely expensive. Therefore, I decided I would contact manufacturers in China and enter a partnership where I would attempt to sell their tiny homes for a profit. I created a website …

Interim Field Guide For Construction And Testing Of Concrete Shear Wall With Added Frp Layer, Carlos Alberto Espitia

Construction Management

In Los Angeles, many of the hospitals are no longer up to code as they were built in the 1970’s. The shear walls that the hospitals were constructed on stand to experience major failures in the event of a seismic event and this is the issue that this student research team was assigned with. This project was to design, procure, and construct all necessary constraints to be able to test a wall that is fundamentally similar to that of the sheer walls in these hospitals. Once this was complete the goal was to test two walls with an added FRP …

Prefabrication Of Exterior Partitions For Great Northern Services, John Christofer Claudio Espino

Construction Management

In the wake of a fire in Weed, CA that destroyed 150 homes, a non-profit organization called Great Northern Services (GNS) reached out to Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo about a service-learning opportunity that involved designing a single-family home and pre fabricating the exterior partitions in San Luis Obispo. In Fall 2017, interdisciplinary teams of students delivered design proposals in the Integrated Project Delivery studio. The selected design was then finalized into a permitted set of drawings and planning for the prefabrication began. The extent of the prefabrication was limited to the framing and sheathing of the exterior walls. The length …

Framing Exterior Partitions For The Great Northern Services Housing Project, Michael-Jeremiah R. Eseed

Construction Management

In the wake of a fire in Weed, CA that destroyed nearly 150 homes, a non-profit organization called Great Northern Services (GNS) reached out to Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo about a service-learning opportunity that involved designing a single-family home and prefabricating the exterior partitions in San Luis Obispo. In Fall 2017, interdisciplinary teams of students delivered design proposals in the Integrated Project Delivery studio. The selected design was then finalized into a permitted set of drawings and planning for the prefabrication began. The extent of the prefabrication was limited to the framing and sheathing of the exterior walls. The length …

Journeyman International: Bihongora Library In Rwanda, Africa, Sarah N. Nelson

Construction Management

My senior project is an interdisciplinary effort between students from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Journeyman International. Our team was given the task to design, engineer, and produce preconstruction services for a library in Bihongora, Rwanda. My main deliverables as the construction manager consist of a construction estimate with quantity take-offs, a construction schedule, and a project site plan. There is a great need for literacy in Rwanda, among both children and adults, so by building a library we are hoping to provide the locals in the community with …

Journeyman International: Mornes Brieux Primary School, Owen T. Rice

Construction Management

This project-based senior project is a collaboration between students from different schools and a non-profit organization, Journeyman International. The goal of this project is to build a primary school in Les Cayes, Haiti to give the kids there the opportunity to be in a safe and comfortable learning environment. The client on this project is the 610 group, they are an organization that focuses on sustainable community development through education, vocational training and microenterprise in communities in Haiti. This project entails 3 buildings with a total of 8 classrooms, a kitchen and dining area, bathrooms and a courtyard with playground …

Optimizing Internships In Construction Management Based On Student's Interests And Experience, Austin Meneses Logan

Construction Management

The growing norm for students in the field of Construction Management is to have at least one internship under their belt prior to entering the industry for a full-time career. The goal of this research paper is to analyze student feedback from their previous internships to draw conclusions on how companies should structure their internship programs based on student interests and level of experience. Research was done evaluating current Construction Management students with previous internship experience at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. This research paper will be beneficial for industry companies to better tailor their internship programs to …

Journeyman International - Rubagabaga Evc And Ace - Rwanda, Africa, Jake M. Stom

Construction Management

Rubagabaga EVC and ACE, or Empowering Villages Center and Agricultural Center of Excellence, is an interdisciplinary project based senior project completed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo students. College of Architecture and Environmental Design students Jake Stom, Mackenzie Diaz, Julia De Hart, and Jenna Williams completed the design and preconstruction services with the help of non-profit humanitarian organization, Journeyman International. The deliverable aims to serve the client, Empowering Villages, by providing the complete design of a community center and agricultural training facility near Kaseke Village in Rwanda. The goal is to provide the local community with development efforts …

Journeyman International: Peace Academy Of The Sciences And The Arts, Alyssa L. Mathias

Construction Management

For years, K-12 education has been taught through separate, individual subjects such as Math, English, Art, and Science. Primary education has remained stagnant while our society is constantly evolving with technological advances and innovation. The Peace Academy of the Sciences and Arts in San Luis Obispo, California are a group of visionaries and educators challenging traditional learning styles. They are striving to offer an education that focuses on holistic learning and integrating all subjects into big ideas to create competent, compassionate leaders for the future. My senior project is a collaboration between Journeyman International, the Peace Academy, a student in …