A Methodology for Disaster Construction &Demolition Debris Quantification

Post disaster Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste quantification is critical in contexts where recurrent conflicts and natural disasters have led to significant infrastructure damage and large-scale debris accumulation. Debris quantification is a natural first step for efficient recovery planning, removal and management, and circular economy strategies. However, existing quantification methodologies lack national or regional standardization and fail to combine both rapid assessment as well as material characterization. Therefore, this study proposes a structured six-step debris quantification framework in post-disaster settings that integrates field data collection, material classification, density-based calculations, and demographic normalization to estimate per capita C&D waste generation. The framework was integrated in an automated decision-making tool using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros in Microsoft Excel. The tool was applied to fully collapsed buildings, amid the 2023–2024 war in Lebanon. Based on an average household size of 4 to 5 persons and two apartments per floor in these regions, results indicated that the calculated C&D waste generation rate was approximately 55–69 tons per capita—an order of magnitude higher than typical demolition or municipal solid waste figures reported globally. Additionally, the study showed the tool’s effectiveness in producing rapid, replicable, and verifiable estimates, enabling faster operational decision-making compared to traditional, resource-intensive post-conflict assessments. Findings highlight the importance of standardized debris quantification protocols in enhancing disaster waste management readiness, with implications for contingency planning, resource allocation, and integration of remote sensing in damage assessment.