Search
Search
Research hero

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?
    Read more
    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.
    Read more
    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).  

Professional headshot of a young man in a navy blazer and white shirt, smiling in an office setting.

Research showcase

  • Griffith College logo with a watercolor illustration of a historic stone building.
    Jul 2023

    Rapid MMC Up/Re-skilling of the Construction Workforce: A Collaborative Approach Through the Use of Micro-Credentials

    Suzanne Burdis, Griffith College Dublin
    This report provides background and insights into micro-credentials as an emerging education innovation and a possible solution to the rapid up/ re-skilling needs of industry, and the promotion of life-long learning among the adult population in Ireland.
    View Report on griffith.ie
  • Cover with Irish Government logos and the title “Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing Delivery.”
    Jul 2023

    Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing delivery

    Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment/ Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
    The Government’s Housing for All Action Plan Update articulates a critical need to enable a
    continuous and accelerated flow of compliant and high-quality innovations in construction, including modern methods of construction (MMC), particularly in residential construction. This is to ensure delivery of Housing for All targets and the ongoing transformation of the construction sector. It also facilitates efforts to reduce the embodied carbon and lifecycle environmental impacts of construction.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Report cover titled "Build Up Skills - Ireland 2030: Analysis of the National Status Quo" with BUSI2030 logo and partner organization logos.
    Jun 2023

    Build Up Skills – Ireland 2030: Analysis of the National Status Quo

    IGBC
    Construction Industry Federation, Irish Green Building Council, Laois & Offaly Education Training Board, Technological University of the Shannon

    The Build Up Skills Ireland initiative sets out a clear roadmap of actions focused on supporting the upskilling within the construction sector, and specifically the built environment.
    View Report on igbc.ie
  • Academic paper titled "The Role of Lean in Digital Project Delivery" with abstract text visible.
    Jun 2023

    The Role of Lean in Digital Project Delivery

    Kevin McHugh, Bhargav Dave, and Marzia Bolpagni
    This paper discusses the key lean drivers for introducing digital production management systems to support efficient production planning, monitoring and controls. The paper also highlights the role of Last Planner System® (LPS) in the development of centralized digital command rooms to integrate disperse project teams. The research methodology was action research using a case study of a data centre in Ireland.
    View Report on iglc.net
  • Cover slide titled 'Digital Construction Pack"
    May 2023

    Digital Construction Pack

    Construction Professionals Skillnet, Construction Industry Federation
    The aim of this guide is to bring the reader logically through the pre-construction and delivery of construction projects using digital technology. It provides the background to the development of policy regarding the digitisation of construction over the last 10 years and puts the need for the provision of digital project delivery in context.
    View Report on www.cpskillnet.ie
  • Cover page of the RIAI report titled “RIAI Design for Manufacture and Assembly / DfMA Report,”
    Oct 2022

    Design for Manufacture and Assembly / DfMA Report

    The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
    This report presents how using good design to facilitate MMC can be achieved without losing design quality. The report aims to increase the understanding amongst architects, related professions, manufacturers, and contractors and their clients about what MMC means and designing for it, and how these issues can be embedded into construction and building design processes.
    View Report on riai.ie