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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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    Five people seated in a semicircle having a panel discussion in an elegant, warmly lit room.
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

  • 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
  • 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 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
  • Cover with Irish Fiscal Advisory Council logo and the title “Ireland’s Infrastructure Demands – Working Paper N°22, October 2024” on a white background.
    Oct 2024

    Ireland’s Infrastructure Demands

    Niall Conroy, Kevin Timoney (Irish Fiscal Advisory Council)
    This paper identifies infrastructure deficits in Ireland relative to other countries. We find significant deficits in housing, health, transport, and electricity. More investment will also be required to help transition to a greener society.
    View Report on FiscalCouncil.ie
  • Cover - FutureCast logo and the title: 'Evaluating the Use of Recycled Construction Waste in 3D Construction Printing: Material Characterisation, Structural Properties, and Recycling Potential'
    Sep 2024

    Evaluating the Use of Recycled Construction Waste in 3D Construction Printing: Material Characterisation, Structural Properties, and Recycling Potential

    David Plunkett (Futurecast)
    The objective of the study is to investigate the use of recycled construction waste in 3D construction printing (3DCP). Specifically, the proposal was to characterise the recycled construction waste, assess its suitability for 3DCP, assess the physical properties of concrete structures produced by 3DCP, and asses the recycling of printed concrete into new aggregate.
    View Report on futurecast.info