Collaborative Research: Research Initiation: Understanding Competencies and Professional Identities for Digitally-Enabled Sustainable Demolition Construction Practices

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $175,233 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Technologically advanced and sustainable deconstruction is crucial for meeting the nation’s growing demand for demolition services and a skilled workforce to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events, including wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, which can pose safety and time barriers that prevent deconstruction professionals from engaging in efficient and sustainable demolition practices. This need is also combined with the imperative to renew the aging urban infrastructure, ensuring resilient, resource-efficient rebuilding that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes community safety. To address this need, this project aims to serve the national interest in several ways: (1) advance the knowledge and innovation by transforming demolition practices to be more technologically advanced and sustainable thereby mitigating the impact of natural hazards, reducing safety risks, minimizing material disposal costs, alleviating supply chain disruptions, and minimizing demolition environmental impact; (2) collaborate with professionals in the sustainable demolition construction practice to understand their role-specific competencies and how they perceive being part of an innovative profession focusing on environmental impact and efficiency and adding value to the general engineering profession, and (3) support the development of skilled deconstruction engineers fluent in digital literacy and able to implement technologies for construction and demolition waste management, and c

Key facts

NSF award ID
2508834
Awardee
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA)
SAM.gov UEI
QDE5UHE5XD16
PI
Ashtarout Ammar
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
EDUCATION RESEARCH, ENGINEERING EDUCATION
Estimated total
$175,233
Funds obligated
$175,233
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/15/2025 → 08/31/2027