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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.

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

Research showcase

  • Cover slide with the title “Towards Greener 3D Printing: A Performance Evaluation of Silica Fume-Modified Low-Carbon Concrete ” and blue geometric design elements on the right.
    Oct 2025

    Towards Greener 3D Printing: A Performance Evaluation of Silica Fume-Modified Low-Carbon Concrete

    James Bradshaw, Swathi Balasubramanian, Wen Si, Mehran Khan, Ciaran McNally (University College Dublin)
    This study investigates the durability challenges of 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) and examines the effect of silica fume (SF) on its performance, focusing on mechanical properties and selected durability tests as key indicators of mix suitability for 3D printing applications.
    View Report on mdpi.com
  • Logo promoting timber research and innovation in Ireland with green forest background.
    Aug 2025

    Pioneering Research and Innovation for Timber and Wood‑Based Products in Ireland

    Dr Patrick McGetrick (National University of Galway), Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine
    This publication presents an overview of research and innovation on timber and wood-based products in Ireland over recent years, showcasing the significant progress achieved through collaborative national and international efforts. It aims to facilitate an understanding of the existing knowledge base on Irish wood products to advance research and support of timber as a construction material.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Illustration titled “Building a Circular Ireland – A Roadmap for a Resource Efficient Circular Built Environment,” featuring the map of Ireland within a multicoloured circular graphic, surrounded by icons of buildings, cranes, vehicles, wind turbines, and cyclists, symbolising sustainability and circular economy in construction.
    May 2025

    Building a Circular Ireland

    Irish Green Building Council
    The approach of the ‘Building a Circular Ireland’ roadmap (2025-2040) is to focus on strategies for prevention and reuse, better design, resource efficiency, and the added value of innovative business models.
    View Report on igbc.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 page of a research article titled “Understanding the embodied carbon credentials of modern methods of construction.”
    Feb 2025

    Understanding the Embodied Carbon Credentials of Modern Methods of Construction

    Richard O’Hegarty, Samar Raffoul, Oliver Kinnane, Thanat Thanapornpakornsin (UCD), Aislinn McCarthy (Aarhus School of Architecture), Jack O'Hagan (Delft University of Technology)
    This study assesses the embodied carbon credentials of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) by conducting a critical literature review and synthesis of the findings. While several studies have reviewed the broader impacts of MMC, no other study to date has comprehensively reviewed the embodied carbon credentials of this construction typology.
    View Report on journal-buildingscities.org