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

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

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

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 …

Post-Fire Inspection, Material Testing, Repair, And Field Load Testing Of A Full-Scale Concrete Box Girder Bridge: Delta Bridge Case Study, Ahmed S. Eisa, Hilal Hassan, Mohamed A. Badran, Ayman El-Zohairy

Faculty Publications

Bridges are critical components of transportation networks, and fire accidents can significantly impair their structural integrity, leading to safety risks and major economic losses. This study presents a comprehensive inspection, materials testing, repair, and field load testing program for a full-scale concrete box girder bridge (Delta Bridge, Alexandria, Egypt) following a fire exposure on two spans. A total of 28 concrete core samples were extracted and tested, revealing average compressive strengths of 48.50 MPa (slab), 53.90 MPa (web), and 45.88 MPa (columns), representing moderate reductions of approximately 8.5%, 7.9%, and 10.8%, respectively, relative to the original in situ concrete strength …

Enhancing Workforce Development In Construction Management Through Collaborative Teaching (Co-Teaching) Models, John Annor, Francois Jacobs

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a collaborative co-teaching initiative implemented across three educational institutions—the University of State, Community College, and High School—through two key construction courses: Construction Materials and Methods and Construction Safety. Designed to bridge gaps across educational levels, the initiative adopted a mixed-methods research approach to assess student learning outcomes, instructional effectiveness, and stakeholder perceptions. Quantitative data were collected from standardized assessments, including quizzes, a safety plan project, and exams administered across multiple years. Analytical techniques such as Welch's two-sample t-tests and Welch ANOVA were employed to compare student performance between and within institutions, adjusting for unequal …

A Longitudinal Study Of Workforce Trends And Challenges In The Construction Industry Of A Rural State: A Case Study Of Wyoming, John Annor, Francois Jacobs

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Wyoming’s construction sector, while often eclipsed by extractive industries, plays a vital role in supporting statewide economic activity and infrastructure development. This study investigates key labor force trends in the sector from 2010 to 2024, focusing on employment patterns, age-based workforce composition, and wage trajectories. Drawing on monthly data from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, the analysis employs descriptive statistics, time series modeling, and cross-variable analysis to explore sectoral vulnerabilities. Findings reveal a cyclical employment structure marked by seasonal peaks and troughs, with a notable disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The workforce is aging rapidly, with workers …

Green Roofs For Grey Water Treatment – Comparative Study Of Economic And Environmental Impacts, Shaden S. Attia

Theses and Dissertations

Cities are under more pressure than ever to use sustainable methods for managing water and other resources because of urbanization, climate change, and a lack of water. Standard greywater treatment systems (SGTSs) work well, but they use a lot of resources and don't provide a lot of ecosystem services. Greywater-treating green roofs (GTGRs) have emerged as a promising Nature-Based Solution (NBS), combining wastewater recycling with benefits like regulating temperature, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and reducing the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Even with this potential, there is still not enough real-world research on how GTGRs affect both the economy …

Inspect: Intelligent Node-Based System For Ifc Processing And Evaluation, With Conversational Tool Support —Llmassisted Natural Language Ifc Querying, Basel Abdelshaheid

Theses and Dissertations

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) enables the open exchange of Building Information Models, yet effective validation of real-world IFC deliveries remains challenging. Project models frequently contain incomplete, inconsistent, or incorrectly exported metadata, and explicit IFC relationships are often missing or degraded during conversion from proprietary formats. Many validation questions are inherently spatial, including connectivity, containment, proximity, and clashes, and therefore cannot be answered reliably from properties alone. As a result, federated model validation is often slow, fragmented across tools, and dependent on specialized IFC expertise.

This challenge is increasingly important for coordination, quality assurance, and information management across disciplines and lifecycle …

Development Of A Novel Innovative Umbrella Falsework System For Concrete Slabs, Abdelazem Hashim

Theses and Dissertations

Formwork is one of the major elements that contribute to the cost and duration of concrete building projects. This is why optimizing such an element can lead to huge savings to all parties involved in the construction projects. With contractors facing huge challenges in such a competitive industry and employers seeking the least price and least duration for their projects, contractors are constantly under the obligations of finding the best alternatives to deliver their projects in terms of both time and money. Therefore, the main aim of this research project is to develop a falsework system, where the falsework system …

Nlp-Based Comparative Assessment Of Clauses Quantifying Risk Transfer In Construction Contracts, Hoda M. Elshamy

Theses and Dissertations

Employers in the construction industry mostly deviate from standard contract forms such as FIDIC and NEC, by introducing alterations to the contract conditions that shift a great portion of risks from the client to the contractor. Originally, these risks were distributed more equitably between all contracting parties in the standards forms. The imbalances in the contractual conditions create fertile ground for conflicts, and if not resolved, will escalate to disputes during the project execution phase, leading to significant cost overruns and time delays. The contractors, therefore, attempt to restore the original balance through making amendments to the communicated contract, through …

Proposed Modifications To The Egyptian Concrete Code Based On A Comprehensive Sustainability Assessment Of Portland Cement Alternatives For Climate Change Mitigation, Yasmin Elhakim

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is a major challenge facing planet earth today. This phenomenon is foreseen to continue to represent a major concern for decades to come. The construction industry is one of the most polluting sectors worldwide and is considered one of the top greenhouse gas emitters. Egypt, in particular, is one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse effects of climate change. The construction sector plays a major role in Egypt’s economy, contributing significantly to the national GDP, yet it also represents one of the country’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. However, the Egyptian Concrete Code does not enforce the …

Development Of A Decision-Making Framework For Selecting A Project Delivery Method For Public Sector Construction Projects In Malaysia, Mohd Idham Mohd Noor

Student Works (2020-2029)

Public sector construction projects play a crucial role in economic development and public service delivery, requiring effective project management to ensure optimal public expenditure and successful outcomes. Selecting an appropriate Project Delivery Method (PDM) is a critical yet unstructured process in the Malaysian public sector, influenced by various constraints such as administrative regulations, stakeholder interests, and policy compliance. Despite existing studies on PDM decision-making, research on Malaysia’s public sector remains limited. This study aims to develop a decision-making mechanism for determining appropriate PDM for Malaysia's public sector construction projects. The research adopts an interpretivist approach using a qualitative multiple-case study …

Construction Project Performance Research: A Bibliometric, Scientometric, And Qualitative Review (1989–2023), Abdelnaser Abdelhameed, Mohamed S. Yamany, Ahmed Abdelaty, Emad Elbeltagi

Faculty Publications

Despite the significant increase in publications on construction project performance (CPP), there is a deficiency of research that rigorously assesses and synthesizes previous studies to delineate the field’s development, themes, and research gaps. This article employs quantitative and qualitative methodologies to critically evaluate studies on CPP published over the last three decades and indexed in the Scopus database. The quantitative approach includes bibliometric searches and scientometric analyses to assess the extent of research interest and achievements. The qualitative methodology aims to conduct thorough content analysis to classify existing material based on prevalent themes. The results demonstrate an exponential growth of …

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 …

A Bim-Based Flexible Flow Shop Framework For Scheduling Linear Infrastructure Projects, Mahmoud Mohamed Elbassuony

Theses and Dissertations

Repetitive, multi-stage linear projects, such as pipelines or highways, are primarily impacted by spatial and resource constraints during their execution. Cost overruns, delays, and inefficient resource allocation make construction management for such projects complex. Traditional scheduling techniques, such as Critical Path Method (CPM) and Line of Balance (LOB), are less efficient for scheduling dynamic, complex, and multi-objective projects. There are more advanced scheduling methods that can be applied as a decision-making process to determine the optimal timing of activities and achieve other objectives. One of those techniques is the Flexible Flow Shop model (FFS), which can be effectively applied to …

Towards Decarbonizing Concrete Industry In Egypt: Material Alternatives, And Economic Viability, Reem Gamal

Theses and Dissertations

The construction industry remains one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement and steel production accounting for approximately 15% of total emissions. As global infrastructure demands continue to rise, there is an increasing need for practical tools that support low-carbon construction practices in line with international climate commitments. This research presents the development and testing of a mathematical, adaptable decision support system designed to assess both the environmental and financial impacts of material selection in concrete production. Focusing on life cycle stages A1 to A3, raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing, the decision support system enables …

Design Of Novel Formwork System And Development Of Numerical Model For Comparison Between Formwork Systems, Ahmed Yehia Abdel Aziz El Sayed

Theses and Dissertations

The formwork industry has witnessed major breakthroughs in the last decades. However, they required huge amount of materials leading to negative environmental impacts. Also, the commercially available systems have big number of accessories and requires the extensive use of units to cover the areas to be poured. There was an attempt to target all these disadvantages by introducing the Funicular Arched Steel Truss (FAST) system. However, this system had its own drawbacks, and this is why the researcher introduced an extendable version named the “Extendable Funicular Arched Steel Truss (EAST) system.”

To reach the final version of the EAST design, …

Resilience By Design: A Multi-Metric Assessment Of Urban Vulnerability Across Human-Centric, Built, And Climatic Environment Dimensions, Karim Abdelhady

Theses and Dissertations

Urban resilience and sustainability have emerged as fundamental imperatives in contemporary urban planning, as cities face mounting pressures from climate change, population growth, and increasing socio-economic disparities. Resilient urban systems are not only those that withstand shocks, but also those that ensure the long-term well-being, equity, and functionality of their environments. As such, advancing the capacity to systematically evaluate resilience across spatial and temporal scales is critical to informing adaptive, forward-looking planning strategies. Despite a growing body of research on urban resilience, prevailing approaches remain limited in scope and resolution. Many studies tend to examine resilience through isolated lenses—focusing either …

Irrigation Efficiency In Green Wall Systems Utilizing Iot: Developing And Testing A Method To Optimize Water Use For Green Walls, Yomna Zaghloul

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the application of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automated irrigation system for green walls in Cairo, Egypt, assessing its impact on water conservation, energy consumption, and plant health across a three-month experimental period. The research compared a sensor-controlled drip irrigation system utilizing the ESP8266 microcontroller and real-time environmental monitoring against conventional timer-based irrigation methods. Water usage data revealed that the IoT system consistently achieved substantial savings—averaging nearly 60% less water consumption than the control group—without compromising overall plant vitality. Energy efficiency was also improved, with automated cycles reducing pump operating time by more than 50%. Plant growth …

Accelerating Circular Economy Transition For A Sustainable Built Environment: A Systems-Based Framework, Radwa Walid Yassin Eissa

Doctoral Dissertations

"The Circular Economy (CE) has gained momentum as a transformative framework for steering the construction value chain towards greater sustainability. However, this transition requires shifts in production and consumption patterns, adoption of circular business models, and the replacement of linear practices. Despite growing interest, CE adoption in construction faces persistent challenges, including sectoral fragmentation, lack of integrated governance frameworks, and limited coordination among stakeholders. This dissertation aims to accelerate the CE transition in the built environment through a multi-scale, interdisciplinary approach spanning five modules: (1) Module 1 develops a construction value chain-structured portfolio of CE strategies and assesses their implementation; …

Quantifying, Forecasting, And Mitigating Construction Labor And Material Challenges In A Dynamic Global Economy Using Econometrics And Deep Learning, Ahmed Gamal Elsayed Mohamed Shiha

Doctoral Dissertations

"The construction industry contributes to the global economy, yet its cost management practices remain constrained by labor shortages and material price volatility. These challenges are intensified by economic disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and trade policy shifts. Despite a growing body of literature, five knowledge gaps remain unaddressed: (1) the absence of dynamic, and localized measures of construction labor shortages; (2) limited empirical investigation of macroeconomic leading indicators of labor shortages; (3) underutilization of deep learning (DL) algorithms in forecasting local construction labor earnings; (4) the limited treatment of structural breaks in existing construction material price forecasting models; and (5) the lack …

Data Set, R Scripts And Script Outputs For Manuscript: Manufacturing Systems: Characteristics And Dynamics, Alan J. Fitzmorris

Graduate Research Data

This file repository contains fifteen computer-generated datasets, two naturally occurring datasets, nineteen shipbuilding shop datasets, and sixty-one concrete plant datasets.  Each data set contains subdirectories associated with various aspects of the data analysis, including stationarity analysis, dynamic system analysis, and complexity analysis.  In each case, applicable R scripts are included.  The text file entitled “Directory_and_File_Names” depicts the directory structure and associated file names for a total of 225 directories encompassing 8008 files.

Nahb Production Home Competition As A Learning Tool Towards Incorporating Business Skills In Construction Management Programs, George Berghorn, Chandler Jones, M.G. Matt Syal

The Professional Constructor

There is a growing realization in the construction industry that the traditional focus of Construction Management (CM) education on technical competencies (such as scheduling, estimating, and construction methods) is insufficient in preparing graduates to meet the strategic and leadership demands of the modern construction profession. A successful construction company requires more than project execution; it demands expertise in business development, financial management, marketing, risk management, and organizational leadership. The disparity between the technical and business aspects of CM education has produced graduates who may succeed in project management yet find it challenging to engage with comprehensive business operations.

This study …

Proposed Design Approach Of Bolted Cruciform Stiffened End-Plate Connections And Bolted Circular Flange Plate Connections Under Combined Loading For Enhanced Economy And Performance, Cesar E. Aguirre

Civil Engineering Dissertations

This research will deliver a substantive contribution to the advancement of design practice for bolted circular flange connections and cruciform stiffened end-plate connections — critically evaluating existing approaches, identifying their limitations, and proposing evidence-based design frameworks that enhance structural performance, predictability, and safety across relevant engineering applications.In addition provide economical benefits.

Construction Industry Preparedness For Generation Z And Millennials: Aligning Industry Characteristics With Workforce Job Preferences, Ameenullah Amiri, Dhaval R. Gajjar, Jason D. Lucas

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry in the United States suffers from workforce shortages, partly due to younger generations being hired more slowly than baby boomers retire. Generation Z’s (Gen Z) lack of interest in joining the construction industry, coupled with the retirement of older workers, has amplified the problem. This paper investigates existing literature to identify the work and career preferences of Gen Z and Millennials and determine where the industry may focus efforts to attract these two generations. Through a systematic literature review, this study identified overlaps and gaps between the current construction industry workforce’s perceptions of the industry and the …

Heat-Related Injuries And Fatalities In Roofing: Osha Investigations From 2003-2024, Kenneth S. Sands Ii, Benjamin Marshall

The Professional Constructor

This study examines 52 heat-related roofing incidents recorded by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) between 2003-2024 to describe patterns in outcomes and identify trade-specific prevention opportunities. Researchers built a structured dataset from OSHA investigation summaries and analysed frequencies of the incidents and their associations with month, time of day, project type, end use, and age to complement a thematic review of narrative abstracts. Fifty-eight percent of cases were fatalities, with the remainder split between hospitalized and non-hospitalized injuries; these statistics underscore the consequences of heat events that trigger OSHA reporting. There was a clear relationship between number of …

Evaluating Training Effectiveness And Learning Transfer In The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Safety Academy, Amanda L. Casolare

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Effective evaluation of safety training is crucial to ensure that learning translates into safe work practices, particularly in high-risk public sector environments. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is developing a Safety Academy to enhance hazard recognition, risk management, and safety leadership within the organization. However, the Safety Academy has not yet been implemented, and formal evaluation methods for training have not been established. This study aimed to examine evidence-based training evaluation techniques and develop recommendations for evaluating the KYTC Safety Academy prior to program implementation.

This study employed an applied pre-implementation research design grounded in a comprehensive review of safety …

The Development Of A Convenient And Consistent Methodology For Flight Proficiency To Certify Multi-Rotor Uas Pilots For State Departments Of Transportation, Colin H. Dees, Joseph M. Burgett

The Professional Constructor

To fly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly referred to as a “drone,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to pass a knowledge test. There is no requirement at the state or federal level for drone operators to demonstrate the ability to operate a UAS. The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) has created an exam for public and private entities to assess basic UAS flight proficiency. It is the only nationally recognized flight proficiency protocol. NIST does not provide a scoring recommendation and leaves it to the user to determine the minimum criteria to pass. There is …