41530 research outputs found
Sort by
San Luis Obispo High School FFA Barn Demolition: Disposal of Material
Get PDFSan Luis Obispo High School’s FFA program needed to upgrade its deteriorating pig barn, involving three key scopes of work: demolition of the existing structure, proper disposal of materials, and reconfiguration of pig pens and water lines. This project required skills in demolition, framing, and plumbing, all of which our team learned during construction management courses at Cal Poly. The demolition entailed the complete removal of a barn with metal roof panels, wood trusses, joists, studs, and plywood sheathing. Proper disposal of these materials was crucial and will be detailed in this paper, with a brief discussion on demolition and reconfiguration. The reconfiguration involved framing and securing a long span of fencing along the northern side of the project area and integrating new structures with existing barn elements. Additionally, the watering systems were completely rerouted with new PVC piping to supply fresh water from the main source to each pig pen. Challenges included ensuring structural integrity, safely using ladders for high demolition areas, and promptly addressing water system leaks. This project underscored the importance of thorough planning, structural integrity, and adaptability. Ultimately, the collaborative effort improved the safety and functionality of the pig pens, meeting the needs of SLO High School\u27s FFA program
Recycled and Waste Glass as a Sustainable Substitute for Aggregates and Cement in Concrete
Get PDFBesides water, concrete is the most widely used material in the world. The production of Portland cement, the most crucial ingredient in a concrete mix, significantly contributes to global carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 7-8% of the total. The majority of these emissions result from the cement production process, which involves kilns powered by greenhouse gas-producing sources. Additional emissions come from the heavy diesel equipment used to load and haul aggregates to batch plants. Although the construction industry is adopting more sustainable building techniques and materials, the basic concrete mix remains largely unchanged, continuing to contribute heavily to carbon emissions. Recycled glass, which is abundantly available, has been used decoratively in concrete mixes but not structurally. In 2012, only about 34% of glass containers were recycled, primarily due to issues with recycling colored glass. Since glass is widely recycled globally, much of it is discarded after arriving at recycling facilities, ensuring a plentiful supply. When ground into a fine powder or broken into sand and gravel-sized pieces, glass exhibits similar strength properties compared to traditional cement mixtures. Previous studies have identified glass as a supplementary cementitious material due to its silica content, which acts as a binding agent in cement. This research experiment tests the viability of using recycled and waste glass as a substitute for sand, gravel, and cement in concrete
Skip the Grid: PV System Installations in the Navajo Nation
Get PDFThe Skip the Grid initiative is a collaborative effort between interdisciplinary California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo students, SOLV Energy, and the non-profit organization Heart of America aiming to strengthen the quality of life for Navajo Nation families. Many of the Navajo Nation’s residents are not connected to the power grid and don’t have access to sustainable alternatives, and this project aims to combat this by installing photovoltaic energy panel systems with lights and a battery storage system in their homes. With the help and guidance of the Consolidated School District near Farmington New Mexico, the project team was able to successfully install these solar systems in 24 homes, assisting the students and families of this community with no cost to them. Drawing from previous installations from the past few years, the project team developed a strengthened roadmap for the project and future project teams aiming to continue the service project for years to come. This experience allowed students to use their experience and knowledge gained through coursework and real-world experience to give recommendations and contributions to the program and communities in need
Exploring the Role of Construction Technology Copilots
Get PDFIn the rapidly evolving construction industry, the adoption of software solutions is essential for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring timely project delivery. This paper assesses the effectiveness and usefulness of existing construction software solutions, focusing on their functionalities, strengths, and limitations. Among the prominent solutions gaining traction are Trunk.Tools, Constructable.ai, and ProjectEngineer.ai. The construction industry, although historically slower to adopt new technologies, stands to gain a great deal from these tools in terms of project management and performance. This research includes a thorough examination of ProjectEngineer.ai\u27s reach in the market, feature development, and growing uptake among experts in the construction industry. The paper examines ProjectEngineer.ai’s capabilities, including its audio transcription, writing enhancement, and document analysis tools. The hypothesis is that integrating construction technology copilots will enhance project management efficiency, improve decision-making processes, and lead to greater project success in terms of cost-effectiveness and timely completion. Through an analysis of different software solutions, the report offers insights into industry input, practical applications, and best practices for software uptake and integration in construction projects. The purpose of this analysis is to provide guidance to construction companies so they may choose and use the best software tools possible to maximize project results
Skip the Grid: Solar Panel and Battery Installations in Navajo Nation
Get PDFSkip the Grid is a collaborative effort to bring off-grid power to communities that are isolated and experience inequalities, such as the Navajo Nation, in order to enhance their quality of life. This effort involved an interdisciplinary team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, SOLV Energy, and Heart of America (HOA). Due to the vast nature of the reservation, lack of government focus in the region, and Covid’s severe damage to the community, a large number of homes of school age children do not have power. This project installed solar panels, battery systems, and lights in 24 homes in the Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock, New Mexico. The focus of this project was to provide power and lights to ensure more students could take part in remote learning by using school provided computers and Wi-Fi hotspots to study at home and complete homework. Not only did this project make a significant impact on the community, it also provided a unique learning experience for Cal Poly students. It brought together different disciplines to achieve a common goal and help fine tune this project for years to come
Heavy Civil Estimating Utilizing HCSS HeavyBid
Get PDFThe estimate process is an essential aspect of the construction industry. Understanding how bids are formed and being able to create one for yourself is critical in being able to really understand cost breakdown of a construction process. This paper will focus around the process in creating a presentation for Cal Poly students, breaking down HCSS HeavyBid and its functions. This project was created to address this idea of attempting to teach HeavyBid to Cal Poly future young engineers. This was particularly important because young students learn how to be a great young engineer in the construction field, however not many of them know how budgets work. Therefore, knowing these things make students more prepared and well rounded when graduating. This project was made possible through a sponsor of Granite Construction, providing the access codes used to access HeavyBid. No other further funding was necessary. This project consisted of a breakdown of HeavyBid functions, as well as a step by step guide in order to execute a bid and create different labor groups within the program. Coordination was made with the Cal Poly Granite Heavy Civil Minor in order to then execute the presentation to the students
The Future of Fiberglass Rebar in Concrete Structures
Get PDFIn the working elements of the construction industry, the strive for materials that aim for strength, durability, and sustainability are never-ending. For traditional steel reinforcement this material faces inevitable challenges over time such as corrosion, weight of material, and environmental concerns. However with the emergence of fiberglass rebar, the negative impacts we see from traditional steel rebar may be resolved within the industry of construction. This paper aims to explore and propose a different alternative to reinforcement in concrete structures with the use and integration of fiberglass. The effectiveness which fiberglass as a reinforcement material offers will be investigated throughout the entirety of the paper. Focusing on fiberglass rebar\u27s structural integrity, longevity in concrete structures, and load bearing strength, this study will provide an extensive analysis of the benefits fiberglass reinforcement has to offer. Several different interviews were conducted and recorded over Zoom with structural engineers in the field of fiberglass to further prove that fiberglass rebar offers beneficial qualities that traditional rebar can not offer. The knowledge that was taken from the engineers in the field of fiberglass reinforcement provides a unique perspective on the subject. This paper will further dive into the properties of fiberglass, the different applications, and the reshaping potential it has for infrastructure development particularly in large scale concrete structures
Investigating the Performance of Bendable Concrete Against Traditional Concrete
Get PDFThe qualitative research in this case study evaluates the importance of bendable concrete within various construction settings. The data aims to justify the interest in bendable concrete, as well as why it is not being used more in structural work. The intended stakeholders of this paper are concrete suppliers, contractors, and researchers who are looking for more imperative ways to manufacture a more sustainable form of concrete. Through a brief online meeting and a Google Form questionnaire, company participants were able to provide the knowledge and feedback desired for how bendable concrete can be incorporated more in the future of construction. The responses defined the importance of sustainability, seismic forces, costs, and location impacts of bendable concrete. Conclusive data revealed that bendable concrete would be a great way to reduce concrete fractures and that it would be applicable in several building applications. There are still gaps to be filled regarding the complexity of bendable concrete, but the data provided insight into why bendable concrete can serve as an effective alternative in various projects
Effect of Pismo Clams as Partial Fine and Coarse Aggregate Replacement on Workability and Compressive Strength of Concrete
Get PDFConcrete has been utilized for ages. Unfortunately, over the hundreds of years there has been little development in the applications of new aggregate materials. The world is moving towards a sustainable way of living and as a result seashells have come into the mix. Pismo Clams are a native species to San Luis Obispo County. This marine species has the possibility of becoming a partial aggregate replacement for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. The results of prior studies indicate a possible application of seashell use in concrete. This paper evaluates the workability and compressive strength of concrete containing fine and large Pismo Clams as a partial replacement for fine and coarse aggregate. A single concrete batch was created as a control specimen and two concrete batches were created by replacing the corresponding aggregate with either fine or large Pismo Clams. The workability and compressive strength of concrete were attained through ASTM standardized slump tests and compressive strength tests. The concrete batches containing Pismo Clams had an increase in workability. The concrete strength decreased with the replacement of Pismo Clams after 28 days of curing. However, the batch containing fine Pismo Clams saw a decrease in compressive strength by 3.9%
Hydrological Analysis Of Post-Fire Responses Within The Little Creek Watershed Of Swanton Pacific Ranch
Get PDFClimate change and a growing wildland-urban interface are associated with an increase in the number and severity of wildfires. While severe wildfires do cause a costly and dangerous impact on the environment and the public, their after-effects comprise important subjects of study. In post-fire hydrologic studies, the reduced infiltration and plant cover that results from wildfires can commonly be associated with increased peakflows and erosion. Phenomena such as the flooding and debris flows in Montecito after the Thomas Fire in late 2017 can have important implications on infrastructure and human lives. Quantifying post-fire peak flows and flooding volumes has therefore become a special study of interest. However, the few studies that exist on post-fire hydrology across the United States have inconclusive and flawed results. Post-fire hydrological studies on coastal-redwood forests are also lacking in both number and quality.
These research gaps were addressed through a three-year, post-fire hydrological study on the Litte Creek watershed of Swanton Pacific Ranch in Davenport, CA. The study took place from the 2021 to 2024 hydrological years (HY). Hydrographs and rating curves were developed to yield results for post-fire conditions. A frequency analysis utilizing Log Pearson Type III and Weibull calculations yielded post-fire results according to 0.5-, 1-, 2-, and 5-year return intervals. A statistical model based on precipitation, antecedent precipitation index, and streamflow data modelled pre-fire values. Subsequently, the pre- and post-fire peak flows and storm volumes were compared. The post-fire results from the analysis were also compared to those estimated from the USGS Linear Regression method and the RF-5 method from Wilder et al, 2020.
It was found that a slight increase in post-fire peak flows and storm volumes occurred upon comparison to pre-fire values, primarily for the South Fork of the watershed. This observation was found to be present for flows and volumes below a 0.5-year return interval, with higher uncertainty beyond that threshold. The USGS and Wilder methods were found to v inaccurately predict the post-fire peak flows. However, calculation of USGS-Regression parameters for two areas (Main Stem and South Fork) yielded percent increases in post-fire peak flows (between 19-31%) and percent-runoff increases (between 36-59%) for peak flows between return intervals of 0.5 to 5 years. Results were found to be mostly statistically significant for all three sites (α \u3c 0.05), except for the North-Fork site in several cases and some model intercepts across all three sites. Incision and erosion of streambeds and the recovery of vegetation since the 2020 fire may have played an underlying role in the study. Despite some errors in stage data, the small increases in post-fire parameters, and variations in burn-area conditions, the study represented a motivated attempt to use linear regression on post-fire hydrologic data and to improve upon the site’s previous study through a more comprehensive dataset. This attempt serves as one of many in studying post-fire hydrology, which serves to inform better decisions for wildfire, flood-management, and land-management agencies