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1 August 2022
10 Construction funfacts
Who doesn't like to learn new things? these funfacts will help you see the construction world differently
Here are 10 interesting facts
- Currently, the construction sector employs over 1.4 million people in Canada
- The construction industry generates about $141 billion to the economy annually; this represents 7.5% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP).
- Women represent 13% of the Canadians employed in the construction industry (both on and off-site) – This percentage is higher than the USA with 9% or the United Kingdom with 11% of women
- Concrete is the most commonly used building material and it is nearly fireproof: Concrete is a non-flammable material, cannot catch fire by itself and does not emit toxic fumes when exposed to flames. Reinforced concrete is the only building material that is both water and fire resistant.
- Over a career of 45 years, a construction worker has a 75% chance of suffering a life-threatening or disabling injury.
- The CN tower contains 40,500 m³ of concrete.
- It is estimated that Robotics, AI and the Internet of Things can reduce building costs by up to 20% (by making jobsites more productive, prevent cost overruns, plan projects…)
- The built environment (everything built by humans) generates almost 50% of the annual global CO2 emission; building operations are responsible for 27%, and building materials and construction are responsible for 20% every year.
- Imhotep, who lived around 2650–2600 BC, is credited to be the first recorded architect and engineer known by name. He is the one who designed and built the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqarah, near the ruins of Memphis, the old Egyptian capital. It is also said that Imhotep invented the building method by dressing stones and using columns in architecture.
- India holds 3 world records for fastest road construction: by building a 2.5 km 4-lane concrete road within 24 hours. A 25-km bitumen road within 24 hours. And by laying 84km of bituminous concrete roadway in one go over five days.