COLM MCHUGH, Centre Manager, Construct Innovate, writes about the Centre’s latest successful Seed Fund Call and initiatives to accelerate sustainable construction materials and services deployment and LCA adoption.
Just 18 months after its launch, Construct Innovate, Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation, has over 80 industry (Associate) member organisations, with the Land Development Agency as a patron member. The Centre leverages the capabilities, facilities and expertise available across its partner research-performing organisations (RPOs).
SEED FUND CALL
One hugely successful way in which Construct Innovate has been supporting innovation and collaboration in the construction industry is by funding industry-led projects through Seed Fund Calls.
Following the success of its first Seed Fund Call in 2023, Construct Innovate’s second Seed Fund Call attracted many collaborative and impactful project proposals in 2024. There was a significant increase in applications received compared to 2023, which shows the increased engagement the industry is having with Construct Innovate and the value it can bring to construction sector organisations.
A total of 18 project proposals have been approved for funding in the latest Seed Fund Call, totalling over €1.1m in funding committed by the Centre through this Seed Fund Call.
The focus of these projects are wide-ranging and reflect challenges the industry is facing around productivity, quality, safety and sustainability, as well as opportunities for collaboration. A brief description of each project funded under the call is available on the Construct Innovate website. The outcomes of each project will be published and available through Construct Innovate as the projects complete.
CONSTRUCT INNOVATE AT WORK
WLC Assessment and Carbon Accounting – A Proposed National Methodology
Construct Innovate’s work is structured around five pillars: Productivity, Affordability & Cost; Quality & Safety; Sustainability; Skills & Training; and Collaboration.
Sustainability is the main focus of the ongoing project UPFRONT-CO2e, which aims to promote sustainable construction materials and life cycle assessment (LCA) in the construction sector.
UPFRONT-CO2e involves applying standardised LCA methods to case study buildings, conducting market analysis and engaging stakeholders. The primary outcome is a proposed national methodology for whole-life-cycle carbon accounting to be submitted to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This methodology will help the Irish construction industry meet upcoming legislative requirements with a consistent approach to carbon accounting.
WORK READY GRADUATE PROGRAMME
Construct Innovate’s Work Ready Graduate Programme (WRGP), funded by Enterprise Ireland, will start in September 2024. WRGP matches recent graduates from Irish academic institutions with industry members, providing funding support to participating organisations. The programme aims to help these organisations recruit skilled graduates with research, development, and innovation (RDI) experience and supports graduates with training and mentorship as they begin their careers. For more information, visit www.constructinnovate.ie
PROJECTS SUPPORTED UNDER CONSTRUCT INNOVATE SECOND SEED FUND CALL
- In-situ structural monitoring of propped reinforced concrete flat slabs to reduce reinforcement quality and embodied carbon
- Modernising wind load standards for Ireland: A comparative Analysis of Eurocode Revisions
- Tailoring steel fibres for 3D printed concrete in civil engineering applications with the Irish construction sector
- RUBBERPAVE: Integration of ELTs produced crumb rubber in pavement construction for enhanced performance
- Alternative Irish-based materials suitable as cementitious binders
- Assessment of recycled tyres as underlay floor treatment (AST-FLOOR)
- Roadmap for small builders to transition to green finance
- (A)I-COMPLI: AI-supported automated construction compliance inspection
- Automated predictive estimation tool for pricing MMC LGS building projects
- Testing the regulatory sandbox approach in Ireland to support innovation in the construction industry
- Development of the Green Binder Ireland 2050 (GBI3050) system for Ireland: Promoting Sustainable cement production using alternative binders (Part 1)
- Residential building performance modelling for better indoor air environment
- Structural health monitoring of mass timber in the Irish climate
- Reduced embodied carbon in the manufacture of LGS modular construction
- Optimising slot and stud panel connectors for LGS framing systems: Development and testing 16. PRODIGI: Probabilistic digital twins for bridges
- RIADA: Irish Road Network Rapid Impact Assessment (RIA) for an efficient recovery after major disasters
- Solar Construct: Enabling the use of solar energy in the construction sector. For details on each programme, visit www.constructinnovate.ie
For more information, visit https://constructinnovate.ie/innovationsupport/ or email: info@constructinnovate.ie
Details on previously seed-funded projects can be found at https://constructinnovate.ie/news/