Construction Engineering and Management Commons^™

Poly Canyon Observation Deck, Jordan H. Morofsky

Construction Management

The Poly Canyon Observation Deck is a project that I have been moving through preconstruction for the past year. It started as a solo project but quickly evolved into an interdisciplinary project involving two architectural engineers and myself. Together we developed a project proposal that we presented to Cal Poly Facilities along with our building permit application. They have approved our proposal and have awarded us a provisional building permit which will be approved after they review the 100% construction documents. We have been working the past two quarters to finalize the design, select materials, and perform a complete structural …

Developing A Scheduling Module For Construction Management Labs, Brittney Lerdahl

Construction Management

The Cal Poly Construction Management Department is renowned as one of the best programs in the nation. From holding one of the highest competition success rates to almost 100% job placement right out of school for graduates, Cal Poly undoubtedly lives up to that reputation. With that, in order to ensure that the department continues to produce well rounded graduates, it is crucial to regularly assess any potential shortcomings that the construction management curriculum may possess. As one of the three sides of the construction management triangle, the ability to read and create a construction schedule is a crucial skill …

Medicial Clinic At Mission Twentyfive35 Vocational Village - Dominican Republic, Sarah C. De Los Reyes

Construction Management

This community medical clinic will be the first of its kind in the rural town of Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic It is Phase II of a five-phase master plan drafted by religious organization Mission Twenty-Five35, founded by the Romano family The team consists of Cal Poly undergraduate students: Griffin Chierici (Architecture), Erica Croft and Tommy Sidebottom (Architectural Engineering), and Sarah De Los Reyes (Construction Management), backed by the guidance and support of non-profit organization Journeyman International and A/E firm Smith Group JJR The task was to design a clinic that would serve as a pediatric and urgent care center but …

A Comparative Study Of The Leed And Well Building Standards, Brent J. Zavada

Construction Management

Our current environmental and public health conditions have led our industry to create sustainability standards that address both of these current problems. With the addition of the WELL Building Standard, the first standard to solely focus on human health and wellness, it is now possible to promote public health, environmental conservation, and owner profits all in one project. This study looks to overlap the well-known LEED Certification standards with the new WELL standards to assist project teams in fully understanding what needs to be accomplished in order for their project to be on track for both certifications. It is meant …

Determining Interest For A Subcontractor Career Fair, Jesseka Zappe

Construction Management

Companies look to Cal Poly Construction Management as a great place to come and recruit for summer interns and new full time positions. But of the 141 companies that recruit at Cal Poly, only 16% of them are subcontractors. With so many general contractors, subcontractors often get passed over. This study looks at the interests from both students and industry to hold a separate recruiting event for subcontractors. It also investigates the best type of event to hold and other logistics.

Implementing An On-Site Concrete Batch Plant On A Large Construction Project In The Bay Area, Gabe Zagorski

Construction Management

The demand for ready mix concrete in the San Francisco Bay Area continues to grow with the booming development and construction industry. Concrete is a very common construction material with a wide range of use on projects ranging from parking garages all the way to high-rise buildings. The typical method of ready mix concrete delivery is to order concrete from a ready mix supplier who trucks the concrete to the project from a nearby batch plant. Concrete is a perishable commodity that demands timely batching and delivery to meet customer requested specifications. The small number of batch plants and congested …

Student Led Service-Learning Initiative: Installation Of Photovoltaic Water-Pump Systems In The Ecuador Amazon Rainforest, Kelly M. Williams

Construction Management

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) student chapter at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California was selected by an association called ELECTRI International to participate in their Student Community Service Initiative program. The goal of the program is to “Encourage construction management and electrical engineering students to take an active role in improving access to electricity in developing communities” (“Student Passport Program”). This paper summarizes the findings of a student-led project made possible by ELECTRI International’s program. The project included coordinating, funding, and executing a project to facilitate the installation of photovoltaic water pump systems to indigenous …

Students Perception Of Health And Safety Training Practices In The Construction Industry, Adam Will

Construction Management

Since its inception in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act has steadily decreased the rate in which construction injuries, illnesses, and deaths occur in the industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) helps enforce these new standards yet some research suggests that safety performance appears to be a response to safety initiatives beyond compliance. Identifying workers’ perceptions of the training they receive is critical to the design and development of effective workplace safety programs. Utilizing a quantitative survey, data was collected from the Cal Poly Construction Management student body to find out how they were taught jobsite safety …

Creating A Training Guide For First-Time Bluebeam 2018 Users, Ryan M. Weir

Construction Management

The use of technology is constantly increasing in the construction industry. Bluebeam is commonly used in both industry and the Cal Poly Construction Management program. The goal of this project based project is to create a training guide for first time Bluebeam users. The guide takes users through the steps of opening the program, becoming accustomed with the user interface, and step by step through a basic takeoff to the submission stage.

Weed Cohort Panelized Housing, John Michael E. Theofanides

Construction Management

This study analyzed how students took on primary design and contractor roles with real projects. It is focused on the feasibility of getting students heavily involved with projects that are meant to be built for real clients. This study will review a specific project that multiple Cal Poly interdisciplinary teams undertook that heavily emphasized panelization strategies and working-class family affordability. First the paper introduces the initial goals the clients set out for the project. Next, it gives an overall background of the design process using integrated project delivery. It studies the interactions between students and the client in a short …

Standardized Testing Tolerances For Auger Pressure Grouted Piles Additive "Panacea", Brian C. Spurgeon

Construction Management

Panacea is an admixture for auger pressure grouted piles in deep foundation construction which was created by Berkel and Company Contractors, a design build corporation. The admixture is designed to increase workability time and increase water retention to avoid seepage into surrounding soils and allow for the insertion of reinforcing steel after the grout has been placed. The objective of this research was to correlate initial set times with internal temperatures over time for scheduling purposes. Multiple batches with varying amounts of the additive were observed. The research also served to create a standardized set of tolerances for various variables …

Los Angeles Homeless Epidemic Alternative Housing And Locations, Jacques Spinner

Construction Management

Homelessness is a major problem across America and is also very expensive, costing billions of dollars each year. If Los Angeles has been booming with construction over the past several years, why has the homeless population continued to greatly increase? I will investigate what plans Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority already have in place to aid this epidemic. This is such a large problem that the presented solutions and findings may only help a portion of the unsheltered homeless, but it will be a step in the right direction. In order to tackle this epidemic, …

Tiny House Permitting In San Luis Obispo, Luke I. Schveibinz

Construction Management

Tiny houses are a rising trend in housing that provide affordable, environmentally friendly dwellings for those inclined to a minimalist lifestyle. Across the Unites States, municipalities have begun creating special provisions for tiny houses, but there remain many barriers to building and permitting tiny houses affordably. There has been much progress in the acceptance of ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), specifically in the state of California. Legislation on ADUs leads the way for the community integration of tiny houses. This study investigates the current state of legislation and permitting for tiny houses in San Luis Obispo, California. An interview was conducted …

Additional Business Courses In The Cm Curriculum, Jordan A. Thrailkill

Construction Management

With the growing size of the Construction Industry, an increased knowledge and understanding of the business side of the operation is becoming more important. This study attempts to look at construction management student’s interest in adding more business topic courses into the CM curriculum and if adding more business topic courses will better prepare students for industry. Students were asked to answer six questions -five survey and one free response. These questions were designed to provide quantitative and qualitative data that would allow for an increased understanding of student interest in regards to business.

Conclusion: Results indicated that students would …

Examining The Labor Shortage In The Construction Industry And Possible Solutions Presented By Industry Members, Jeremy Suryadi

Construction Management

This paper attempts to examine what factors have caused the sustained labor shortage in the construction industry. Whether it be through the lens of general contractors, trade partners, or suppliers, all parties associated with the built-environment have experienced a form of labor shortage or an increase in older employees with few replacements readily available. The main purpose of this paper is to gather enough data and opinions from construction industry members to formalize the few key factors of the diminished labor force, primarily in California’s commercial construction sector. The lack of skilled workers has negatively impacted the quality and quantity …

Journeyman International: Asyv Women's Co-Op & Community Center, Dustin Sullivan

Construction Management

The purpose of this project is to provide a space for the woman of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda; to not only learn how to create a self-sufficient community, but also economic and financial independence. The new buildings will provide crucial opportunities for the village on their path of recovery from the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994. There will be a total of four new buildings; a storefront, community center, work space, and a building for pineapple and mango prep. The project is headed by the non-profit organization of Empowering Villages, in conjunction with Journeyman International. The project …

A Recommendation To Implement A Quality Assurance/Quality Control Topics Course, Jacob W. Stapp

Construction Management

The purpose of this report is to recommend and gauge student interest/need for the addition of a Quality Assurance/Quality Control topics course to the Construction Management curriculum. Both Quality Assurance and Quality Control are vital for all construction projects, and without proper implementation there is no way to ensure high quality results. In an industry that demands high quality projects, it is important that our department prepares our students to be well-rounded in all aspects of construction. This will enable our graduates to enter the workforce in full stride, contributing efficiently from the start. Our University’s motto is “Learn by …

Journeyman International: Karambo River Master Plan, Nick Somera

Construction Management

My senior project consisted of an interdisciplinary partnership with students in the College of Architecture & Environmental Design and the non-profit, Journeyman International. My project team has been given the Karambo River Master Plan located in Rwanda, Africa. Empowering Villages, the sponsor for the project, has bought land to make way for new buildings in a fairly remote area with no existing utilities. The site, near the Mahoko village, will foster community, learning, and growing together. There will be a library, classroom, and multi-purpose building constructed for the surround villages in the area. Empowering Villages has also partnered with Afritech …

The Well Building Standard: Assessment Of Effectiveness, Zachary Richardson

Construction Management

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the WELL Building standard. The WELL Building standard is a certification very similar in nature to that of LEED, where there are criteria that must be met in order for a building to be certified. The International WELL Building Institute claims that by adhering to their standards, building owners will be able to improve many health aspects in the lives of the occupants, as well as creating more effective workplaces for business. Through a careful analysis of the physical and mental health aspects WELL claims to improve, as well as surveying building …

Ji: Zimbabwe Rural School Development Program, Leor Rozen

Construction Management

Adjusting to the construction codes and processes of a foreign country is a very complex and involved process. There are considerations for different materials, procedures, costs, requirements, potential tribal or cultural conflict, corruption, and many other potential obstacles and challenges to overcome. While this project was seemingly simple, inexpensive, and straightforward, there was a significant amount of obstruction from the government concerning a coup that limited the team’s ability to apply for permission to begin construction. Additionally, there were significant changes in the design and budget as the project progressed, delaying our start date. Ultimately, this project should serve as …

Value Of Exposing High School Students To Skilled Trades, Rocio Ramirez-Castro, Janet Valenzuela

Construction Management

The construction industry is facing dramatic challenges, specifically labor shortage. Due to a lack of skilled craftspeople working in the field, projects result in delays and increased project costs. Throughout the United States, construction companies are looking to find skilled workers to meet the projects workforce. In order to expose people to the construction industry, a presentation and survey was conducted amongst high school students. The concept consists of majority of high school students not being informed about the career opportunities in the construction industry. Consequently, by exposing students to the construction industry would benefit the industry itself and recent …

Recommendation To Implement A Microsoft Excel Topics Course, Alexander J. Poksay

Construction Management

The purpose of my senior project is to recommend the addition of a Microsoft Excel course to the Cal Poly Construction Management curriculum. My interest in this topic was sparked when I began my internship at Decker Electric in San Francisco during the summer of 2017. As a result of this internship, I discovered how inadequate my Excel skills were and how important Microsoft Excel is to the construction industry. Upon graduation, Cal Poly Construction Management students enter a workforce that relies heavily upon many different types of software programs that analyze information used daily in construction. With a rapidly …

Cal Poly Caed Interdisciplinary Competition, Richard Nguyen

Construction Management

In an effort to promote relationships between Construction management students with other majors in Cal Poly’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, an interdisciplinary competition should be encouraged. Targeted towards second-year students, an interdisciplinary competition will provide valuable experience in competition environment, while establishing relationships with students in other majors. Each team member will learn more about the other professions and the issues affecting their work. Conducted over an academic quarter (10 weeks), students will be presented with site information and strategic development plan materials to support the effort. The teams require participation and input from architectural engineering, architecture, city …

An Analysis Of The Demand For Interdisciplinary Curriculum Within The Caed, Matthew S. Montijo

Construction Management

This study serves to demonstrate the demand and benefits of interdisciplinary curriculum within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) at California Polytechnic State University. While the literature review serves to highlight the unique learning benefits of interdisciplinary coursework, the survey demonstrates student demand for such courses across all colleges in the CAED. This study provides possible solutions to an existing problem within the CAED through the avenue of the construction management department.

Establishment Of Occupational Safety And Health As A Minor, Giovani A. Mazzotti

Construction Management

Safety plays an essential role in the construction industry. With construction projects increasing in size, time, and overall complexity, it has become increasingly difficult to implement safe protocol and procedures. Present-day construction projects sometimes require more than 10,000 employees, including dozens of subcontractors, office teams, and more on-site. In addition to the increased need for laborers, increasing project size means an increase in demand for individuals with expertise and experience in safety practices. Projects of all shapes and sizes are in need of professionals with proven expertise in implementing safety practices. Currently, many incoming project engineers and field engineers lack …

Alternate Reinforcement For Structural Concrete, Barrett Lowe

Construction Management

Concrete has been utilized on construction projects for thousands of years, ranging from the Pyramids to the foundation your home is built on. Innovated upon, concrete and its properties have changed over the years, one of the greatest being the discovery of tensile reinforcement. Rebar, commonly known as reinforcing steel or reinforcement bars, have been used in the construction industry for decades. Ranging in size and application, rebar’s unmatched tensile strength and anti-corrosive properties make it the champion of reinforcing structural concrete. Though the advancement in technology has created a new era where other materials may take its place. Attempting …

Case Study On 3d Printing Implementation Strategies, William J. Leonard

Construction Management

The construction industry is one of the slowest to adapt and utilize new technologies. As a result, the construction industry has remained stagnant while almost all others are improving efficiency. It is becoming incredibly important for the construction industry to adapt to new technologies in order to counter the current worldwide shortage in skilled labor. 3D printing is one of the most advanced technologies that can help increase efficiency and reduce cost across all sectors of the construction industry. This paper will analyze implementation strategies used on three different construction projects using 3D printing and will evaluate what made them …

Creating And Implementing An Industry Mentorship Program Within The Women In Construction Club, Linnea Lavorico

Construction Management

The construction industry has made great strides in terms of catching the attention of and accepting more women. The industry has historically been dominated by men and, for the most part, that is still true today. But there are more and more women expressing interest in construction and construction management related career paths. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) continued that trend when the Women in Construction club was formed. The goal is to help women realize that they can participate in the industry and then encourage them to do so. A previous senior project was done …

Application Of Mechanical, Electrical, And Plumbing Contractor’S Bim Practices To The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Construction Management Program, Christopher J. Langstaff

Construction Management

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractors play such a crucial role in the construction and design phase of building a project; their success or failure can drastically affect the project's overall success. MEP contractors’ use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction industry has grown exponentially over the past decade. This paper will expand on the utilization and practices of BIM by MEP contractors. This information functions as a foundation for my research into current professional BIM trends as they relate to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s (SLO) Construction Management (CM) curriculum. Cal Poly SLO’s CM department has designed …

Journeyman International - Dream Soccer Academy Cameroon, Gerhard Hohbach

Construction Management

This project based senior project was completed through Journeyman International, an organization that pairs Architecture, Architectural Engineering and Construction Management students with projects in need of their services. This document contains the Construction Management students portion of the work. The DREAM Soccer Academy is a group of coaches and mentors that counsels and guides youth in Mamfe, Cameroon, empowering the youth through soccer. The organization is seeking to expand their operations to a housing, education and sports facility soccer. The proposed design includes two dormitories, three soccer fields, six classrooms, conference rooms, an indoor gym, cafeteria, health center, cafeteria, bleachers …