Construction Engineering and Management Commons^™

Decision-Making Framework For The Selection Of Sustainable Alternatives For Energy-Retrofits, Amirhosein Jafari

Civil Engineering ETDs

Buildings are major consumers of energy worldwide. On the other hand, over 60% of the US housing inventory is over 30 years old and a large number of these homes are energy inefficient. Therefore, it is essential to target the existing building stock for energy efficient interventions as a key to substantially reduce the adverse impacts of buildings on the environment and economy.

Building energy retrofitting has emerged as a primary strategy for reducing energy use and carbon emissions in existing buildings. An energy retrofit can be defined as a physical or operational change in a building, its energy-consuming equipment, …

My Catalyst, Gabrielle Gambino Lyon

Celebration of Learning

Over the course of my internship and shadow program with Pepper Lawson Construction and Ziegler Cooper Architects, I was able to explore the various career paths involved in the design, construction, and civil engineering fields. My work on the construction site of a high-rise apartment building located in the heart of Houston, TX allowed me first-hand experience working and learning alongside project engineers, contractors, building developers, and the construction team.

This project was the perfect confluence of my main areas of interest: structural, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering, as well as architecture. My daily work consisted of on-site walk throughs, …

Measuring And Evaluating Safety Maturity Of Construction Contractors: Multicriteria Decision-Making Approach, Ali A. Karakhan, Sathyanarayanan Rajendran, John Gambatese, Chukwuma Nnaji

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Evaluating the safety maturity of construction contractors before awarding the contract is an effective strategy that many owners have started to implement. Given the importance of workplace safety, awarding the contract to safer contractors can enhance project performance outcomes in terms of safety, quality, cost, and schedule. Safety maturity is one quality of a construction organization encompassing interdependent factors that can be used to evaluate expected safety performance. However, there is no formal decision-making framework available in literature that owners can use to evaluate contractor safety maturity. The present study aims to bridge this gap in safety knowledge by proposing …

Logistics And Funding Plan For The Simpson Strong-Tie Lab Crane, Arya Ghourchian

Construction Management

In the recent years, there has been interests regarding an overhead crane to be erected inside of Cal Poly Simpson Strong-Tie Lab (Building 187). This under-running single girder crane system will be used for construction classes and to lift heavy equipment. The installment of this 2-ton indoor crane will be crucial to provide modular pieces, for whom that lost their homes due to the California fires. Additionally, there has been previous senior project researches; reference SST Preconstruction Services and Structural Analysis of SST Lab. I am in charge of collecting information regarding: Bid Estimate Comparison, Advertisement Strategy, Permit Compliance. This …

Bs News July/August

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Abraham, John E., 1844-1925 (Sc 3233), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3233. Letter, 8 March 1886, of John E. Abraham, Beattyville, Kentucky, to Captain Thomas J. Hardin, Monterey, Kentucky. He discusses timber transactions and meeting with a supplier of stone in connection with a bid to construct dikes on the Ohio River.

Implementing Lean Practices In An Academic Department: A Case Study, Ekaterina Koromyslova, Carrie Steinlicht, Teresa J.K. Hall, Albena Yordanova, Byron Garry

Construction and Operations Management Faculty Publications

Lean approaches to continuous improvement, originally practiced and perfected by Toyota Motor Company, have been widely used in the industry sector for many decades. There is a growing trend at universities to adopt lean practices to improve higher education processes. Reduced financial support and growing competition amongst universities and academic programs motivate the implementation of lean practices both at university and department levels.1 Colleges and universities that have adopted lean practices are driven by the need to strategically leverage resources to meet stakeholder expectations, reduce waste or costs, and improve satisfaction with under-performing processes.2 This paper presents an overview of …

Implementation Of Industry Technology Into The Construction Management Department, Kristen D. Forster

Construction Management

With technology being one of the fastest growing items in the construction industry it is important to keep on top of what is utilized most commonly. To fully prepare graduates for the work force, the Construction Management Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo needs to focus efforts on supplying students with the most commonly used industry technologies. Utilizing these programs in the current curriculum will ensure that graduates from the Construction Management Department are prepared to take on the work force with the most relevant software under their belts. Students who understand how to use these industry sanctioned technologies …

Evaluating The Practices Of A Small Business: A Case Study, Madeleine Anne Bernadicou

Construction Management

Companies are in constant search to increase profits. The company success is dependent on its standard operational procedures, otherwise known as SOP. Golden State Irrigation and Noack Pump is a non-union merit shop contractor that performs irrigation work in the California’s central valley. This paper researches the utilized methods of the company to see if it is operating at an optimal level. The methodology used in this project is a case study, where multiple jobs, income statements, and cash flows were analyzed, along with conducted interviews. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected in the investigation of this case study. …

Carbon Sequestering Bio Concrete As A Solution To Growing Atmospheric Concentrations Of Co2, Connor Cech, Jackson Walker

Construction Management

High levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere are propelling climate change, which has been proven to be highly detrimental to the planet. Cement production for the construction industry is a leading cause of these harmful carbon emissions. This project introduces a potential solution to this issue in the form of a new biological concrete that is treated with carbon sequestering bacteria of the Bacillus family to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The consolidated research presented in this project will explain the biology behind this process, and how it can be implemented in construction …

Value Analysis Of Cm Professional Certifications For Newly Graduated Cm Students, Christopher J. Coglianese

Construction Management

The construction industry has a staggering amount of professional certifications available to those who want to prove experience and expertise. There is usually a financial reason behind this. The more certifications a person has, the more likely he will be promoted and be paid more. As Cal Poly seniors entering the job market, they share these same incentives, and luckily there are plenty of certifications available to them. However, there are too many to choose from and some are too expensive. The question then lies, which certifications should graduating seniors spend their resources on? To answer this simple question, an …

Rail Transportation Of Aggregate Material, Mario Ghilott

Construction Management

Sand, gravel and crushed stone, known as construction aggregates, are the main ingredient in materials to maintaining and building new infrastructure. Construction aggregate has a low cost per ton, but because mass quantities are typically required, if a local source is not available then the cost of transportation quickly exceed the value of the material. The North Bay Area has an estimated 50-year demand of 521 Million Tons (MT) and a current permitted supply of 110 MT. This North Bay Area region has a supply to demand ratio of 21% and is estimated to last 11-20 years (from 2012). This …

San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School Photovoltaic Project (Belize), John Angelo M. Pezzini

Construction Management

In December 2016, the California Polytechnic State University National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Student Chapter, along with Construction Management faculty and alumni/industry members, installed a photovoltaic system in San Pedro, Belize. This student-led team won the Student Passport Initiative grant from ELECTRI International, with the purpose of designing and constructing a photovoltaic system for the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School, in order to reduce dependence on the grid, encourage carbon neutrality, and aim for net-zero energy consumption. This paper will discuss the preconstruction tasks associated with the project, focusing mainly on maintaining the schedule, the installation of the system …

Utah Salt Storage Facilities Guidelines And Best Management Practices, Weston Bellon

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

An environmental analysis was conducted at the Utah Water Research Laboratory of samples gathered from Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) salt storage facilities retention ponds across the state. The analysis indicated high levels of TSS largely made up of minerals directly associated with the deicing solution currently used by UDOT in roadway applications. As a companion to that analysis, best management practices have been identified and compiled to provide a resource for the proper management of salt storage facilities in the state of Utah. Topics included as best management practices include locating new storage facilities, proper salt storage, proper salt …

Solar And Rain Catching Canopy. Urban Oasis, Afolabi Ibitoye, Langston Clark, Elena Zimareva, Evan Banks, Alexander Aptekar

Publications and Research

The Urban Oasis is designed to work within existing “pocket parks” in New York City as a combined rainwater collector, personal electronics charging station and resting designation for New Yorkers. Intended to not only lessen the demand on the city power grid by using renewable energy to charge devices, the urban oasis is also intended to mitigate grey water overfill in New York’s combined sewer system and, in general, serve as a model for responsible environmental stewardship in urban areas.

The important technical aspects of the canopy specifically analyzed were:

a) how much rainwater could the canopy be expected to …

An Engineer’S Rules For Running A Business, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

Peter Ho sold everything he had to make his business a success; 10 rules guide his thinking

On a lobby wall of Singapore engineering firm HOPE Technik are 10 company rules that set the organisational tone. Co-founder and CEO Peter Ho describes them as “very personal”, none perhaps more so than the first two:

1. It is a passion and a career, not a job.

2. We are engineering commandos. Small in number, strong in force.

Effects Of Tension On Resonant Frequencies Of Strings, Blake Burnett

Senior Theses

This project tests and explores resonance of strings. Since all materials and mechanisms are affected by vibrations, it is important to know the frequencies at which resonance occurs. To explore this subject, strings were used as a model material to test the effect tension has on resonance. The fundamental frequencies and the corresponding modes of resonance were used to analyze the data. The results of this experiment show that increasing tension on a string increases its resonance frequency. Understanding the physics behind resonance frequency allows systems to be designed to take advantage of resonance properties, or to avoid resonance where …

A Study On Residential Construction Energy Code Compliance In Nebraska, Aaron Thompson

Department of Construction Engineering and Management: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Energy codes are easy to implement, but how effectively are they being followed? To determine energy code compliance of residential construction in Nebraska, a study was conducted in which seven key areas having the most effect on energy savings were analyzed. The study examined both urban and rural areas of the state and compared Nebraska to other states’ energy code compliance studies. The study found an eighty-eight percent average compliance in the key areas. Urban areas tended to be more compliant than rural areas. Nebraska is comparative in energy code compliance to other states. Yet, the state of Nebraska, code …

Executive Summary_Feasibility Of Harbor-Wide Barrier Systems: Preliminary Analysis For Boston Harbor, Paul Kirshen

Sustainable Solutions Lab

This report presents a preliminary feasibility assessment of harbor-wide barrier systems designed to protect Boston Harbor from coastal flooding caused by sea level rise (SLR) and storm surges. Conducted by the Sustainable Solutions Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston and supported by the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, the study evaluates two primary configurations: an Outer Harbor Barrier (OHB) and an Inner Harbor Barrier (IHB). Using hydrodynamic modeling, economic cost-benefit analysis, and social vulnerability assessments, the study finds that while both barrier systems may reduce risk from extreme storm events, they do not mitigate regular tidal flooding without frequent gate …

Bs News May/June

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Recommendations To Implement A Potential Case Study Module To All Cm Labs, Donald Wong

Construction Management

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [Cal Poly for short] is notable for having one of the best undergraduate Construction Management programs in the nation. From winning consecutive regional competitions, such as the ASC Competition in Reno, to incorporating a “learn-by-doing” philosophy in all its classrooms, Cal Poly’s CM curriculum truly distinguishes itself from other CM programs nationwide. From the Cal Poly Construction Management website, it’s noted that upon graduation, “the department has virtually 100% placement in the construction industry” (“Cal Poly Construction Management”). However, while the CM program at Cal Poly truly excels in preparing its undergraduate students …

Journeyman International – Kalisher Multi-Purpose Center, Chelsea Trumbull

Construction Management

The Kalisher Multi-Purpose Center in Rwanda was completed through a non-profit organization, Journeyman International. Dan and Frances Klinck created a vision for a master plan in the Sunzu Yacu Village in Rwanda and teamed up with Journeyman International to accomplish it. The Kalisher Multi-Purpose Center is the next step in completing their master plan. This center will serve as a place of gathering and community for the locals. It will house various events including, but not limited to: community meetings, private ceremonies, performances, church gatherings, learning opportunities and a space for growth. This project was interdisciplinary and combined efforts from …

Investigating The Cm Club Financials At Cal Poly, James Materne

Construction Management

With our growing Construction Management department and continuous flow of new students at Cal Poly, clubs at Cal Poly are constantly electing new officers to run them. These officers must know what sort of budget they are working with. This project shows these officers what previous years have done and what they can work with. The financial sheets are about revenue and expenses. It is an Operating Budget vs Actual financial sheet for year 2017-2018. The officers are encouraged to continue this financial analysis to put in their books for future officers.

Analysis On Why Cal Poly Cm Students Don't Pursue Employment In The Central Coast., Jessica Magaña

Construction Management

The Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Construction Management program is one of the best in the nation. With nearly 100% of its undergraduate students having a job set in place before graduation, it is interesting seeing students pass on the opportunity to stay and work in the area in which they are taught about the profession. There are many local builders in the Central Coast that are looking for new-hires, and with all the new developments starting up in nearby cities, as in San Luis Obispo; newly graduates are choosing instead to look and go elsewhere to start their careers …

Value Analysis Of Cm Professional Certifications For Newly Graduated Cm Students, Christopher John Coglianese

Construction Management

The construction industry has a staggering amount of professional certifications available to those who want to prove experience and expertise. There is usually a financial reason behind this. The more certifications a person has, the more likely he will be promoted and be paid more. As Cal Poly seniors entering the job market, they share these same incentives, and luckily there are plenty of certifications available to them. However, there are too many to choose from and some are too expensive. The question then lies, which certifications should graduating seniors spend their resources on? To answer this simple question, an …

A Case Study Of The Construction Labor Market And Impact Of Retiring Baby Boom Generation, Grant Bettisworth

Construction Management

Construction firms often analyze the impacts of schedule, cost, and quality when reviewing the risk associated with a project. An important aspect of the project execution effort; available skilled labor resources, can have a significant impact on the success of the project but may not always be considered as part of the risk analysis effort. The intent of this paper is to discuss the contribution of the baby boom generation, how the retirement of baby boomers will impact the labor market, what this means for the construction industry and how construction firms can mitigate risks associated with this phenomenon. Since …

Feasibility Of Harbor-Wide Barrier Systems: Preliminary Analysis For Boston Harbor, Paul Kirshen

Sustainable Solutions Lab

This report presents a preliminary feasibility assessment of harbor-wide barrier systems designed to protect Boston Harbor from coastal flooding caused by sea level rise (SLR) and storm surges. Conducted by the Sustainable Solutions Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston and supported by the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, the study evaluates two primary configurations: an Outer Harbor Barrier (OHB) and an Inner Harbor Barrier (IHB). Using hydrodynamic modeling, economic cost-benefit analysis, and social vulnerability assessments, the study finds that while both barrier systems may reduce risk from extreme storm events, they do not mitigate regular tidal flooding without frequent gate …

An Evaluation Of The Current State Of Unions In The Construction Industry And Their Future, Cheyne Walsh

Construction Management

Over the past fifty years, the United States has seen a tremendous decline in the amount of union members in the workforce. The trade unions in the construction industry have been no exception. Recently, the percentage of union members compared to the amount of employees have reached an all-time low. There has been a slight boost in members with the current climate of increased construction projects underway. But, unions still need to once again grow in strength to stay viable within the industry. Construction trade unions, especially the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Iron Workers, …

Simulation Based Cost-Benefit Analysis For The Inspection Of Highway Bridges Using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, Rashmi Kadamkulangara Balagopalan

Theses and Dissertations

Visual inspections remain significantly important in surveying the present decay and deterioration status of bridge inspections. These inspections are critical to conduct patch-up remedies and maintenance assignments to guarantee the continued serviceability of structures. Given the high inventory of bridges nationwide (over of 600,000 bridges), increasing costs of bridge inspections are becoming a concern for departments of transportation (DOTs). The conventional inspection method is costly due to various factors. For example, the current approach often requires specialized equipment (e.g., bucket trucks) to conduct underside bridge inspections that significantly affect safety levels on the field and overall costs, and inspectors need …

Professional Practice For Constructors, Tristan M. Soltero

Construction Management

This project based senior project focuses on the creation of a fully online topics course called CM 463: Professional Practice for Constructors. The course itself will be based on the project management body of knowledge and will cover several the chapters either in depth or briefly. A few of the topics introduced throughout the course will be: Project Scope, Project Time, and Project Cost. Although most students may have already touched basis on the subjects throughout the current curriculum, the management perspective of these project essentials are overlooked. While each chapter will be introduced throughout the course, a project lasting …