Demolition

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/demolition

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the demolition discipline?A specialized branch of civil engineering focused on controlled structural dismantling
2. What is the distinction from deconstruction?Demolition emphasizes safety and efficiency, while deconstruction prioritizes material salvage and reuse
3. What is demolition and why do we do it?Demolition is the careful and safe way to take down old buildings so new ones can be built. It helps keep neighborhoods safe and lets us reuse materials.
4. How do demolition workers make sure people stay safe?They plan the collapse carefully, use special machines, and sometimes put barriers around the site. They also check for dangerous stuff like asbestos before they start.

Razing: The act of completely tearing down a building or structure, often to clear land for new construction.
Hydraulic Shears: Powerful cutting tools attached to excavators, capable of severing steel beams and concrete structures.
Masonry: Construction using units of ceramic, stone, or concrete, bonded together with mortar.
Urban Renewal: The process of improving or redeveloping an urban area, often involving the demolition of old structures.