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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, 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 with the title “Build 2024: Construction Sector Performance and Capacity” and a partial image of a modern building facade.
    Jun 2024

    Construction Sector Performance and Capacity

    Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    Commissioned by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), this report examines construction sector performance and capacity, including the potential of MMC to increase the speed of delivery of new homes through innovation.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Cover titled 'Homegrown C16 – Increasing the use of Irish home grown C16 timber in Housing Construction'
    Feb 2024

    Homegrown C16: Increasing the use of Irish home grown C16 timber in housing construction

    Dr Patrick McGetrick (University of Galway)
    This short project led by the Timber Engineering Research Group (TERG) at University of Galway aims to provide a summary of solutions and recommendations that can promote an increase in the use of homegrown Irish timber in housing (low and high rise) and offsite construction in Ireland.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover titled 'Viable Homes – Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments'
    Feb 2024

    Viable Homes: Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments

    Oliver Kinnane (UCD) and Pat Barry (Irish Green Building Council)
    This report intends to highlight to planners and other key stakeholders of the built environment the whole life carbon impacts of the continued construction of new low-rise, low-density dwellings on greenfield sites and to provide recommendations to mitigate these impacts by promoting a switch to a low-rise, medium density model.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Report cover: "Review of the system for standards, testing, certification and accreditation for the delivery of housing."
    Feb 2024

    Review of the System for Standards, Testing, Certification and Accreditation for the Delivery of Housing

    Dr Shuo Wang & Dr Daniel McCrum (University College Dublin)
    This report examines the existing Irish housing delivery system, with a comprehensive review of standards, testing, certification and accreditation. The report presents a concise literature review to draw insights from similar standards, testing, certification and accreditation systems in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. Additionally, interviews of construction professionals are undertaken to understand perspectives of industry on the current Irish system of standards, testing and certification.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • NSAI logo and cover page for a study on International Construction Quality Assurance & Certification Schemes for MMC.
    Jan 2024

    A Study of International Construction Quality Assurance & Certification Schemes for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

    National Standards Authority of Ireland
    This study addresses milestone No. 12 of the Housing for All Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in public housing delivery document. International construction quality certification schemes have been reviewed and summarised to assist benchmarking of the current NSAI Agrément process in Ireland.
    View Report on nsai.ie
  • Construction workers on a building site, with Irish government committee report cover on housing and modern construction methods.
    Oct 2023

    Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage – Modern Methods of Construction

    Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage
    This document covers discussions from Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the topic of Modern Methods of Construction. The Committee held three sessions, with two sessions focusing on modern construction methods, and one session involving discussion on the Review of Fire Safety Building Regulations.
    View Report on oireachtas.ie