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Research

Discover more about research and development projects in the world of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) led by Irish higher education institutions and other research-performing organisations. This is alongside a showcase of research activity across the country, highlighting what is being done to drive new innovation and workforce development in Irish construction.

  • Translating R&D on Innovative Building Materials from the Lab to Real Application in Construction

    Concrete production is one of the more carbon-intensive construction activities. But researchers from Trinity College Dublin are working to showcase that a lower-carbon concrete, produced with biomass ash, offers building companies a commercially viable and equally appliable alternative. How can research and development lead theory to practice and contribute to a more sustainable construction sector?
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    Group of construction workers in hi-vis vests and hard hats inspecting an outdoor facility.

  • How Can Standardising MMC Product Designs Drive New Efficiencies in Construction Developments?

    Despite the expanded use of offsite construction, Ireland still lacks publicly available, non-proprietary detail libraries for manufacturers, designers, certifiers, and regulators. The STANDARDIZE project in University College Dublin is addressing this, aiming to standardise MMC technologies for greater sector efficiency and mobility.
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Researching and Developing the Right Concrete Products and Application Systems for 3D Construction Printing

3D construction printing is still in its earliest phase in Irish building, but research into the best-practice materials and applications of this type of Modern Method of Construction (MMC) can help increase the rate of uptake. Two researchers from the Construct Innovate unit of the University of Galway are making this happen. 

Industrial blue mechanical clamp or gripper tool shown in multiple close-up views on a workbench.
Platform4MMC: Supporting Decision-Making to Drive the Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland

Ireland’s housing targets need to be met rapidly while achieving high sustainability standards. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) offer the opportunity to digitise the construction sector, improving project delivery speed, efficiency, and quality. 

Logo for Platform MMC featuring stacked layers graphic in gray and dark tones.
Taking MMC Research to the Construction Site and Beyond

The MMC Research Group at University College Dublin (UCD), spearheaded by Dr Daniel McCrum, is leading the innovations behind Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).  

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Research showcase

  • Construct Dataverse AQUA3D product logo for 3D concrete printing technology
    Dec 2025

    AQUA3D – Automated Quality Control for 3D Concrete Printing

    Dr Pouyan Ghabezi, Dr Alireza Rahimi (University of Galway)
    The AQUA3D project is structured around four core objectives that address the limitations of manual data collection in 3D concrete printing and establish a foundation for automated, real-time quality control.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover - FutureCast logo and the title: 'Evaluating the Use of Recycled Construction Waste in 3D Construction Printing: Material Characterisation, Structural Properties, and Recycling Potential'
    Sep 2024

    Evaluating the Use of Recycled Construction Waste in 3D Construction Printing: Material Characterisation, Structural Properties, and Recycling Potential

    David Plunkett (Futurecast)
    The objective of the study is to investigate the use of recycled construction waste in 3D construction printing (3DCP). Specifically, the proposal was to characterise the recycled construction waste, assess its suitability for 3DCP, assess the physical properties of concrete structures produced by 3DCP, and asses the recycling of printed concrete into new aggregate.
    View Report on futurecast.info
  • Graphic: Report cover titled "Evaluation of the Engineering Skills and Training Needs of Manufacturing and Construction Sectors in the South East," January 2024.
    Jan 2024

    Evaluation of the Engineering Skills and Training Needs of Manufacturing and Construction Sectors in The South East

    South East Regional Skills Forum, on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
    This survey covered South East regional enterprises to determine priority training / skills needs in the broad ‘engineering’ discipline area for both existing and new startup companies. The survey provides considerable evidence of a shortage of engineering skills in the South East in recent times.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Logos for Regional Skills West and Manufacturing Excellence beside "Industry 4.0 Readiness in West of Ireland Small and Medium & Micro Enterprises."
    Mar 2022

    Industry 4.0 Readiness in West of Ireland Small and Medium & Micro Enterprises

    Dr. Olivia McDermott, Stuart Nelson (University of Galway on behalf of Regional Skills West)
    This report was commissioned to provide actionable insights into the skills needs, barriers and opportunities faced by Micro & SME manufacturing companies in relation to Industry 4.0. As part of this work, an industry-led Manufacturing Excellence skills network was set up with leading employers with the goal of collaborating in identifying and resolving skills gaps and issues and converting knowledge into best practices, for the manufacturing sector in the West Region.
    View Report on gov.ie