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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
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Research showcase

  • 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
  • Research and Development Needs for Timber in Construction in Ireland - TERG report cover
    Jan 2025

    Research and Development Needs for Timber in Construction in Ireland

    Dr Patrick McGetrick (National University of Galway), Dr. David Gil-Moreno (Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine)
    This report outlines the research and development needs that must be addressed in Ireland to support promotion of greater use of timber in construction. It highlights the opportunities for further targeted research to advance the use of timber, particular mass engineered timber, whilst ensuring the highest possible degree of building safety and boosting the use of homegrown timber in construction.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Cover slide with the title “Damping Ratio Identification of a Volumetric Modular High-Rise Building ”
    Jan 2025

    Damping Ratio Identification of a Volumetric Modular High-Rise Building

    Hollie Moore, John Hickey, Brian Broderick, Breiffni Fitzgerald (Trinity College Dublin)
    The damping ratio of a structure is a critical value in determining the acceleration response of a building and is best characterised through in situ monitoring. However, there are very limited reports of the damping ratios from modular buildings. This paper reports research performed through in situ monitoring of a high-rise modular building.
    View Report on tcd.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 page of an October 2024 report from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science titled 'An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting'
    Oct 2024

    An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting

    Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science
    This report contains detailed forecasts of the skills required to deliver an annual average of 50,000 new homes and the retrofitting (B2 equivalent standard) of an annual average of 63,444 existing older homes over the 7-year period 2024-2030.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • White cover with the title “Report on the Circular Economy – October 2024” by the Joint Committee on Environment & Climate Action.
    Oct 2024

    Report on the Circular Economy (Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action)

    Joint Committee on Environment & Climate Action
    Perhaps the most impactful legacy of the Covid crisis has been an increased awareness of
    the risks that arise from global supply chains.
    Our current “Take, Make, Use, Discard” model ignores the environmental costs along the
    supply chain.
    View Report on oireachtas.ie