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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

  • 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

    Build Digital
    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 builddigitalproject.ie
  • Build Digital logo beside text "Digitalisation for a Circular Economy (DiCE)" with cloud imagery.
    Mar 2024

    Digitalisation for a Circular Economy (DiCE)

    Build Digital
    The main objective of the report will focus on the opportunities to incorporate circular economy principles into construction and elaborate on a series of resources which are available for interested stakeholders. The report particularly focuses on the opportunities aligned with the increasing digitalisation of the industry and how such tools can be used to not only increase productivity but also increase circularity within the industry.
    View Report on builddigitalproject.ie
  • Cover image for a report titled "Construct Innovate – Built Environment Research in Ireland," featuring a modern building in the background.
    Feb 2024

    Behavioural Attitudes to Modern Methods of Construction

    Dr Shuo Wang, Dr Daniel McCrum (University College Dublin)
    The primary objective of this report is to investigate the psychology of change inherent in the broader acceptance and adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC) within the realm of housing delivery. Understanding the underlying factors that influence this transformation is important in shaping the future of the housing industry.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover image for the report titled "Design for Manufacture and Assembly with Design for Reuse," dated February 2024.
    Feb 2024

    Design for Manufacture and Assembly with Design for Reuse

    Brian Broderick (Trinity College Dublin) and John Hickey (Trinity College
    Dublin)
    This report examines the application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in Ireland, how this can be enabled through Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and its relationship with Design for Reuse (DfR).
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Academic paper titled "The Role of Lean in Digital Project Delivery" with abstract text visible.
    Jun 2023

    The Role of Lean in Digital Project Delivery

    Kevin McHugh, Bhargav Dave, and Marzia Bolpagni
    This paper discusses the key lean drivers for introducing digital production management systems to support efficient production planning, monitoring and controls. The paper also highlights the role of Last Planner System® (LPS) in the development of centralized digital command rooms to integrate disperse project teams. The research methodology was action research using a case study of a data centre in Ireland.
    View Report on iglc.net