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KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 29, 2025

Each year, Georgia quarries generate millions of tons of leftover byproducts called pond screenings, much of which sits unused in large holding ponds. At Kennesaw State University, associate professor Jayhyun Kwon is working to turn this overlooked material into a construction industry resource.

Kwon鈥檚 research focuses on reducing waste before recycling is required. His team, working out of KSU鈥檚 Soil and Materials Lab on KSU鈥檚 Marietta Campus, is studying ways to use quarry pond screenings as a substitute for fly ash, a material commonly used as a mineral filler in asphalt binders and concrete. With fly ash supplies fading, finding a local and sustainable alternative could have significant impacts for Georgia鈥檚 construction industry.

鈥淩ight now, about 2.2 million tons of pond screenings are generated annually in Georgia,鈥� said Kwon, who is an associate professor in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET). 鈥淚f we can find a way to integrate this material into asphalt and concrete without sacrificing performance, we not only reduce the amount of waste sitting in these ponds but also lower material costs for construction projects.鈥�

Inside the Soil and Materials Lab, graduate research assistants and undergraduate student assistants are testing mixtures, carefully measuring how the addition of pond screenings affects strength, durability, and workability. Kwon said the hands-on experience is invaluable for students, preparing them for careers in civil engineering while allowing them to contribute to a project with real-world environmental and economic impact.

The potential benefits go beyond sustainability. By finding a market for underused quarry byproducts, aggregate producers could modify their processes to collect and sell screenings rather than discard them. Construction companies could save on materials while earning environmental credits, an advantage when bidding on government-funded infrastructure projects that require green building standards. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� said Kwon, who previously served as application technology manager at Tensar International Corp., a leading geosynthetics manufacturer and provider of ground stabilization solutions. 鈥淵ou save cost, reduce waste, and meet environmental requirements.鈥�

Before the material can be used in industrial settings, there are still some hurdles to clear. Kwon said that the material itself poses challenges due to its fine, dust-like nature. Acceptance of it will depend on approval from agencies such as the Georgia Department of Transportation. 

鈥淭his is a feasibility study, and there鈥檚 limited guidance on how to use this material,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut if we can demonstrate that it works, I believe the industry will be quick to adopt it.鈥�

As his team prepares for future field trials, Kwon is optimistic about the long-term impact of the research. He hopes this work will serve as a model for other states and encourage further exploration into the reuse of industrial byproducts.

鈥淥nce people see that this works, they will start finding new uses we have not even considered yet,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is just the first step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for construction.鈥�

Recognizing the importance of Kwon鈥檚 work, SPCEET administrators have expressed strong support for the project and its potential impact.

鈥淩esearch like Professor Kwon鈥檚 perfectly reflects the mission of the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology,鈥� SPCEET Dean Lawrence Whitman said. 鈥淲e lead the way in supporting innovative work that not only solves practical engineering challenges but also provides our students with industry-relevant training that prepares them to be leaders in sustainable infrastructure development.鈥�

Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Darnell Wilburn Jr.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.