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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

  • Abstract graphic cover featuring geometric shapes in orange, grey, yellow, and white, with the EY logo in the top right corner.
    Jul 2024

    Skills for Modern Methods of Construction

    Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services
    Housing is an essential infrastructure in any society. Ireland’s housing market has experienced significant volatility over the past two decades, with current housing demand outstripping supply. Housing for All is the Government’s housing plan to 2030. It is a multi-annual, multi-billion
    euro plan which aims to improve Ireland’s housing system and deliver more homes of all types for people with different housing needs.
    View Report on Egfsn.ie
  • Cover titled 'Recent developments on low carbon 3D printing concrete: Revolutionizing construction through innovative technology'
    Jun 2024

    Recent Developments on Low Carbon 3D Printing Concrete: Revolutionising Construction Through Innovative Technology

    Mehran Khan and Ciaran McNally (UCD)
    This comprehensive review delves into the latest advancements in 3DPC technology and its capacity to reshape the building and construction sectors. The paper explores recent progress in 3DPC printing systems, methodologies, materials, and applications.
    View Report on sciencedirect.com
  • 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 image of the Journal of Constructional Steel Research published by Elsevier.
    May 2024

    Experimental Axial-Compressive Behaviour of Bare Cold-Formed-Steel Studs with Semirigid-Track and Ideal-Hinged Boundary Conditions

    Sohini Mishra, Ciaran McNally, Andrzej M. Wrzesien, Daniel McCrum (UCD)
    This research experimentally investigates bare-CFS-studs' axial compressive behaviour with BCT, considering, for the first time, the combined effect of the tracks' warping rigidity, stud-to-track gap, non-linear connection stiffness, and bare studs' various cross-sectional slenderness.
    View Report on sciencedirectassets.com
  • Cover page of an MDPI publication titled “Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module,”
    Mar 2024

    Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module

    Si Hwa Heng, David Hyland, Michael Hough, and Daniel McCrum (UCD)
    This paper investigates the robustness of a single 3D volumetric corner-supported module made of square hollow-section (SHS) columns. The results demonstrate the importance of an accurate assessment of framing rotational stiffness and the benefits of a computationally efficient model.
    View Report on mdpi.com
  • Graphic titled “BUSI2030 – National Upskilling Roadmap 2030 for the Built Environment,” featuring an illustration of hands holding the Earth with green buildings, wind turbines, solar panels, and birds, representing sustainability and environmental innovation.
    Mar 2024

    National Upskilling Roadmap 2030 for the Built Environment

    CIF, Irish Green Building Council, LOETB, Technological University of the Shannon
    The project’s scope is to analyse the current and future skills gaps in sustainable construction for 2030. It aims to create a National Upskilling Roadmap for Ireland to achieve its climate targets for housing, retrofitting, renewables and the decarbonisation of Ireland’s built environment.
    View Report on igbc.ie