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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

  • Cover slide titled 'Digital Construction Pack"
    May 2023

    Digital Construction Pack

    Construction Professionals Skillnet, Construction Industry Federation
    The aim of this guide is to bring the reader logically through the pre-construction and delivery of construction projects using digital technology. It provides the background to the development of policy regarding the digitisation of construction over the last 10 years and puts the need for the provision of digital project delivery in context.
    View Report on www.cpskillnet.ie
  • Cover page of the RIAI report titled “RIAI Design for Manufacture and Assembly / DfMA Report,”
    Oct 2022

    Design for Manufacture and Assembly / DfMA Report

    The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
    This report presents how using good design to facilitate MMC can be achieved without losing design quality. The report aims to increase the understanding amongst architects, related professions, manufacturers, and contractors and their clients about what MMC means and designing for it, and how these issues can be embedded into construction and building design processes.
    View Report on riai.ie
  • A blue cover image with the RIAI logo at the top. The text reads: “RIAI BIM Pack 2 – BIM Guide for SMEs
    Sep 2022

    BIM Guide for SMEs

    The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
    This document is intended to support the implementation of BIM technology for sole practitioners and SMEs. The aim is for businesses to realise a unified, usable, co-ordinated approach to Building Information Modelling in a design environment.
    View Report on riai.ie
  • EY report cover titled “A Detailed Description of Needs for the Irish Construction/Built Environment Sector” with two people using digital devices at a desk.
    Nov 2021

    Needs for the Irish Construction/Built Environment Sector

    Ernst & Young, Enterprise Ireland
    A detailed report on the needs for the Irish construction/built environment sector covering technology and innovation, digital adoption and Modern Methods of Construction in the context of productivity improvement and sustainability.
    View Report on ey.com
  • Academic paper titled "Integrated Lean and BIM Processes for Modularised Construction – A Case Study."
    Jul 2019

    Integrated Lean and BIM Processes for Modularised Construction – A Case Study

    Kevin McHugh, Bhargav Dave, and Ray Craig
    This paper provides an insight into an integrated lean and BIM implementation project supporting a highly modular and offsite production process on a data centre project. The case study highlights how lean and BIM can help the team to visualise the production plans, control the production in the field, report accurate production status and support the continuous improvement process.
    View Report on iglc.net