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

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA) · $175,233

## 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 organization:** 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

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2508834

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2508834, Collaborative Research: Research Initiation: Understanding Competencies and Professional Identities for Digitally-Enabled Sustainable Demolition Construction Practices. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-09 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2508834. Licensed CC0.

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