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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.

  • 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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  • 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.
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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. 

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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

  • Cover titled 'Homegrown C16 – Increasing the use of Irish home grown C16 timber in Housing Construction'
    Feb 2024

    Homegrown C16: Increasing the use of Irish home grown C16 timber in housing construction

    Dr Patrick McGetrick (University of Galway)
    This short project led by the Timber Engineering Research Group (TERG) at University of Galway aims to provide a summary of solutions and recommendations that can promote an increase in the use of homegrown Irish timber in housing (low and high rise) and offsite construction in Ireland.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover titled 'Viable Homes – Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments'
    Feb 2024

    Viable Homes: Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments

    Oliver Kinnane (UCD) and Pat Barry (Irish Green Building Council)
    This report intends to highlight to planners and other key stakeholders of the built environment the whole life carbon impacts of the continued construction of new low-rise, low-density dwellings on greenfield sites and to provide recommendations to mitigate these impacts by promoting a switch to a low-rise, medium density model.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover with the title “Modern Methods of Construction: barriers and benefits for Irish housing”
    Feb 2024

    Modern Methods of Construction: Barriers and Benefits for Irish Housing (CIOB Report)

    CIOB, TASC
    Greater use of MMC offers many potential benefits to those working within the sector and to society at large. It provides opportunities for a more sustainable built environment, better working conditions, and a more productive construction sector that can deliver high-quality homes more quickly than conventional, onsite construction.
    View Report on ciob.org
  • Cover page of the AHARDD Programme Final Report titled 'Sustainable living houses and apartments performance data"
    Feb 2024

    Accelerated Housing Applied Research, Dissemination and Demonstration Final Report

    Prof Jamie Goggins and Dr Paul Moran (University of Galway)
    This project builds on the work of HEAT-CHECK, a project funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which is examining the energy demand and indoor environmental quality levels of 100 new and retrofit homes with the overall objective of improving the DEAP energy compliance procedure.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Report cover: "Review of the system for standards, testing, certification and accreditation for the delivery of housing."
    Feb 2024

    Review of the System for Standards, Testing, Certification and Accreditation for the Delivery of Housing

    Dr Shuo Wang & Dr Daniel McCrum (University College Dublin)
    This report examines the existing Irish housing delivery system, with a comprehensive review of standards, testing, certification and accreditation. The report presents a concise literature review to draw insights from similar standards, testing, certification and accreditation systems in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. Additionally, interviews of construction professionals are undertaken to understand perspectives of industry on the current Irish system of standards, testing and certification.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover image for a report titled "Construct Innovate – Built Environment Research in Ireland," featuring a modern building in the background.
    Feb 2024

    Behavioural Attitudes to Modern Methods of Construction

    Dr Shuo Wang, Dr Daniel McCrum (University College Dublin)
    The primary objective of this report is to investigate the psychology of change inherent in the broader acceptance and adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC) within the realm of housing delivery. Understanding the underlying factors that influence this transformation is important in shaping the future of the housing industry.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie