Construction facts for kids

Construction is the process of building or putting together structures like buildings and other large projects. This happens on a specific site or piece of land.

Generally, there are three main types of construction:

• Building construction: This is about adding new structures to land, like homes, schools, or offices.
• Heavy or civil construction: This includes big projects like roads, bridges, dams, and airports.
• Industrial construction: This involves building factories, power plants, and other special facilities for industries.

Even though industrial construction is a smaller part of the whole construction world, it is very important.

Construction of a pre-fabricated house.

History of Building Things

The very first buildings were simple huts and shelters. People built them by hand or with basic tools. As cities grew, especially during the Bronze Age, skilled workers who specialized in building started to appear.

In the Middle Ages, these skilled builders often joined groups called guilds. Guilds helped train workers and set standards for their craft.

A big change happened in the 1800s when steam-powered machinery was invented. Later, machines that ran on diesel fuel and electricity became common. These included powerful cranes, excavators, and bulldozers. These machines made it possible to build much bigger and faster.

Today, modern construction often uses materials like glass, steel, concrete, and bricks. These materials make it easier to build strong and simple shapes, like cubes.

A house built in a modern style.

Images for kids

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  In large construction projects, such as this skyscraper in Melbourne, Australia, cranes are essential.

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  A construction site and equipment ready for work in Cologne, Germany (2017).

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  A large construction site in the Kalasatama area of Helsinki, Finland (2021).

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  The industrial assembly of a thermal oxidizer in the United States of America.

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  Military living units being built by U.S. Navy personnel in Afghanistan.

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  Construction of the Federal Reserve building in Kansas City, Missouri.

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  Shasta Dam being built in June 1942.

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  The new plant of the National Cement Share Company of Ethiopia in Dire Dawa.

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  Digging the foundation for a building in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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  Construction along Ontario Highway 401, making the road wider.

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  An apartment complex being built in Daegu, South Korea.

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  Building a foundation on site.

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  A helicopter view of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) construction site.

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  Ironworkers putting up the steel frame of a new building in Boston.

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  A truck operator at Al Gamil, a big construction company in Djibouti.

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  Workers at risk without proper safety gear.

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  Roofing work needs appropriate personal protective equipment.

See also

• Architecture
• Building code
• Project management
• Civil Engineering

In Spanish: Construcción para niños