Search
Search
Research hero

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, alongside a showcase of research activity across the country, highlighting what is being done to drive new innovation and workforce development in Irish construction.

  • 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.
    Read more
    Research
    Industrial robotic gripper mechanism with blue components and wiring, shown from multiple angles.

  • 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. A research team at University College Dublin (UCD) has developed a platform to connect construction companies to the data behind the value added of MMC systems.
    Read more
    Research
    Logo of Platform MMC with stacked geometric shapes in blue and gray 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).  

Headshot of a person in a suit, standing indoors with a blurred background.

Research showcase

  • ACEI Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland logo on a Position Paper on CWMF BIM Requirements document cover.
    May 2025

    Position Paper on the CWMF BIM Requirements

    Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI)
    This position paper sets the context for the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland’s (ACEI) support of the Capital Works Management Framework Building Information Modelling requirements — to be implemented on public sector projects in a staged manner over a four-year period — and provides recommendations to Government and ACEI members.
    View Report on acei.ie
  • Build Digital presentation slide titled “Digitalisation for a Circular Economy (DiCE)” with a logo and cloud background.
    Mar 2025

    Digitalisation for a Circular Economy

    Project Ireland 2040
    This report aims to highlight the opportunities for increased sustainability and circular economy principles that can be incorporated into the construction industry and the role of digital technologies in stimulating the transformation of the construction industry in its drive to be more sustainable and circular.
    View Report on squarespace.com
  • Cover page of the Build Digital report titled “Material Passports – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions,”
    Mar 2025

    Material Passports – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

    Project Ireland 2040
    This literature review report embarks on a comprehensive exploration using a mixed qualitative methodology to refine papers for Material Passports and identify the gaps of their current stated. Based on the gap analysis a proposed framework for Dynamic Material Passports will be proposed for future research.
    View Report on tudublin.ie
  • Cover with white background and the title “International Best Practice in Digital Construction Adoption” next to the Build Digital logo.
    Nov 2024

    International Best Practice in Digital Construction Adoption

    Project Ireland 2040
    A global study identifying key learnings for Ireland in digital transformation by examining international best practices in digital adoption within the built environment sector.
    View Report on tudublin.ie
  • Cover image of an article from the International Journal of Construction Management titled 'Resource cost optimization strategies in off-site manufacturing for modern construction methods: a lean theory perspective case study in Ireland'
    Aug 2024

    Resource Cost Optimisation Strategies in Offsite Manufacturing for Modern Construction Methods: A Lean Theory Perspective Case Study in Ireland

    Ziheng Li, Seong Mok Paik (University College Dublin)
    This research presents an innovative approach based on Lean Theory that explores the application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in Ireland, specifically aimed at optimizing resource costs for pre-cast concrete components.
    View Report on tandfonline.com
  • Cover page of an MDPI publication titled “Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module,”
    Mar 2024

    Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module

    Si Hwa Heng, David Hyland, Michael Hough, and Daniel McCrum (UCD)
    This paper investigates the robustness of a single 3D volumetric corner-supported module made of square hollow-section (SHS) columns. The results demonstrate the importance of an accurate assessment of framing rotational stiffness and the benefits of a computationally efficient model.
    View Report on mdpi.com