Exceeding 3 billion tons each year, demolition waste is a growing global problem. Despite the potential to recycle up to 90% of this waste, much of it still ends up in landfills due to limited sustainable practices and a lack of specialized education in the demolition industry.

To address this critical gap, Dr. Juyeong Choi, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and faculty researcher at the RIDER Center, has developed an innovative hands-on workshop aimed at preparing the next generation of engineers to tackle sustainability challenges of building demolition.

Why Sustainable Demolition Education Matters

While much construction and demolition (C&D) waste is recyclable, few demolition engineers receive training on sustainable practices. This leaves a critical gap between classroom theory and real-world applications.

Dr. Choi held a workshop in October 2024 at the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee to address this gap by simulating the complex decisions engineers face on demolition sites, including how to balance recycling goals with time constraints and emissions from heavy machinery.

Inside the Workshop: A Scaled-Down Demolition Experience

The workshop immerses students in a small-scale demolition simulation using 1:14 scale excavators and debris piles that mimic real demolition sites. Participants must:

• Operate miniature excavators and trucks to sort and transport debris.
• Navigate time constraints and sustainability trade-offs, mirroring real job-site pressures.
• Gather and analyze data from sensors to evaluate the environmental impact of their decisions.

This simulation encourages students to think critically about on-site vs. off-site material separation, balancing recycling efforts with operational emissions—a real-world challenge demolition engineers face daily.

The Value of Hands-On Learning

Research shows that hands-on activities enhance learning and critical thinking, reinforcing the connection between theory and practice. As Dr. Choi emphasizes, the workshop’s realistic scenarios help students develop problem-solving skills essential for future demolition engineers focused on sustainability.

Dr. Choi's recent publication, co-authored with Ph.D. student Moustafa Elsayed and featured in the Construction Research Congress 2024 (ASCE), highlights the workshop’s effectiveness in preparing engineers for sustainable demolition challenges.

Industry Collaboration for a Greener Future

The workshop also fosters partnerships with small-business demolition companies committed to advancing sustainable practices. Dr. Choi extends gratitude to PAW Materials, Champion Services of Florida, and the National Science Foundation for supporting this initiative.

Together, these collaborations align with the RIDER Center’s mission and the work of the Laboratory for Sustainable Infrastructure Management to advance infrastructure resilience and promote sustainability across industries.