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Video length: 2:13 min
Video Transcript
Narrator: Construction is one of Canada's biggest industries. It employs a million Canadians and produces about 12 percent of the gross domestic product.
To find ways to reduce its costs and increase efficiency, the industry works closely with some of the scientists at the National Research Council of Canada.
NRC researchers are investigating new ways to make bridges stronger by combining high performance concrete with fibre-reinforced polymers. The goal is to create shock-resistant concrete structures that last longer.
NRC is also working with manufacturers to study new ways of protecting concrete from corrosion.
Most Canadians work inside. The NRC Indoor Environment Program develops tools, technologies and recommendations to optimize health and cost efficiency.
The result is state-of-the art design engineering for controls that monitor energy use and adapt lighting for people.
Acoustics research measures the sound resistance of wall and floor assemblies in workplaces. Ventilation experiments help set standards for removing gases that emanate from some office products.
Luc Saint-Martin, NRC Institute for Research in Construction: Generally, they provide Canadians with a better environment in which they can live, work, learn play. It helps the bottom line because, by providing industry with better ways of building, it makes those assets last longer, and cost less over the life of those assets.
Narrator: The NRC Fire Research Program focuses on the safety of Canadians in buildings. Technological advances are being made on the fire resistance of materials, fire detection and smoke management. This survival knowledge is transferred to construction companies for new safety designs that reduce the risk and cost of fires.
National Research Council Canada helps Canadian business grow.
For more information, go to nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
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