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MODCONS
Modular Mass Timber Building for the Circular Economy (MODCONS) Project
Introduction
The MODCONS Project is a joint project between the Timber Engineering Research Group at the National University of Ireland Galway and Munster Technological University. The MODCONS project will focus on the design, development and experimental testing of a sustainable modular timber building solution to support national needs while also creating export opportunities in the sector. The proposed modular building solution will maximise the use of Irish timber in cross-laminated panels for walls and floors and will be optimised for structural integrity, fire, acoustics and vibration. Underlying all aspects of the design is ensuring the modules are optimised for future deconstruction and reuse.
Objectives
The main objectives of the MODCONS Project are:
- To design, prototype and test a timber modular building.
- To optimise the fire performance of a timber modular building
- To optimise the acoustic performance of timber modular building.
- To examine the life cycle performance and reduce the impacts during construction and deconstruction.
- To examine the use of modified wood material for structural applications.
Project Team
NUI Galway Team
- Prof. Annette M. Harte, Project Coordinator
- Dr. Patrick McGetrick, Principal Investigator
- Dr. Conan O'Ceallaigh, Post-doctoral Researcher
- Ms. Rimjhim Kashyap, PhD Researcher
MTU Team
- Mr. Des Walsh, Principal Investigator
- Mr. Andrew Macilwraith, Lead Researcher
- Dr. Joe Harrington
- Mr. Kieran Ruane
Industry Partners
There are five industry partners:
News and Events
27-29/03/23 - International Mass Timber Conference
The MODCONS team were represented at the International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon, USA by Yasir Mohammad, our PhD researcher at Munster Technological University (MTU). Yasir presented his research on the performance of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) connections manufactured from Irish-grown C16-grade timber in a poster entitled "Experimental Study on the Behaviour of CLT Wall-floor Connections. The International Mass Timber Conference is one of the largest gathering of mass timber experts in the world attracting stakeholders from all areas within the industry to explore the developments in sustainable timber construction. In addition to the ongoing research in the industry, the conference also presented the 2023 International Mass Timber Report which can be downloaded at the following link.
Download
21/03/23 - National Construction Summit 2023
The Timber Engineering Research Group were in attendance at the "National Constriction Summit 2023" at the Sports Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland on the 21/03/23. Dr O’Ceallaigh’s presentation entitled “Timber Construction: A Carbon Mitigation Strategy” was focused on presenting the ongoing challenge to reduce the carbon footprint of construction and the opportunities for timber to not only achieve this goal but also store carbon in the process. The presentation was attended by foresters, building design and contracting professionals, architects, and members of academia. The ongoing work in the MODCONS Project was presented with a focus on the developments within the Irish forest sector, the increased interest in timber as a structural material, and the development of mass-timber products from Irish-grown resources allowing timber to compete with steel and concrete in large and tall modern buildings.
23/11/22 - Build with Wood - The Pathway to Net Zero
The Timber Engineering Research Group were delighted to attend the "Built with Wood" Conference hosted by Coillte at Beyond the Trees Avondale at Avondale Forest Park, Co. Wicklow. The “Build with Wood – The Pathway to Net Zero” conference saw timber frame producers, construction professionals and policymakers gather to discuss the growing industry and focused on barriers to the increased use of timber in construction and how we can increase the percentage of timber frame housing from 20 to 80% in the Republic of Ireland and utilise sustainable timber solutions to address housing needs while also cutting the use of more carbon-intensive materials.
Professor Annette Harte of the Timber Engineering Research Group took part in a discussion panel and highlighted the ongoing research at the University of Galway focused on structural timber design, timber characterisation, engineered wood product development and industry R&D projects that are supporting the industry as we transition to a low-carbon society.
27/05/22 - Rothoschool - Ireland
The TERG Research Group were invited to participate in the first Rothoschool in Ireland which saw leading experts in the timber industry from Ireland and Europe speak on the hottest topics in mass timber construction. The Timber Engineering Research Group presented the ongoing work of the MODCONS Project to over 55 engineers, architects and contractors interested in upskilling on mass timber construction. The Mass Timber industry is fast developing worldwide, and the Rothoschool allows professionals to come together and get informed, creating valuable networking opportunities and enriching their knowledge.
12/12/19 - 2019 Competitive Research Call Launch with Minister Creed
Prof. Annette M. Harte, leader of the Timber Engineering Research Group of NUI Galway met with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed at the launch of the 2019 Competitive Research Call where funding for the "Modular mass timber building for the circular economy (MODCONS) project was announced. The project will focus on the design, development and experimental testing of sustainable modular timber building solutions to support national needs while also creating export opportunities in the sector. The proposed modular building solution will maximise the use of Irish timber in cross-laminated panels for walls and floors and will be optimised for structural integrity, fire, acoustics and vibration.
Read more about the event using the following Link.
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Pictured: Prof. Annette Harte with Minister Michael Creed and other successful researchers
Publications
MODCONS Project Brochure
The MODCONS Project Brochure highlights the main objectives of the MODCONS Project
MODCONS Project Summary - March 2022
The MODCONS Project Summary highlighters the main activities of the project as of March 2022
Journal Publications
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Yasir M., Macilwraith A., O’Ceallaigh C., Ruane, K., (2023) Effect of protective cladding on the fire performance of vertically loaded cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall panels. Journal of Structural Integrity and Maintenance. doi.org/10.1080/24705314.2023.2189683 Download
Conference Publications
- O’Ceallaigh C., McGetrick P., Harte A.M., (2022) Dowel Laminated Timber Elements Manufactured using Compressed Wood Dowels. In Proceedings of CERI 2022 - Civil Engineering Research in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland 25-26 of August 2022. Download
- M. Yasir, A. Macilwraith, and K. Ruane, Effect of protective cladding on the fire performance of vertically loaded cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall panels, In Proceedings of CERI 2022 - Civil Engineering Research in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland 25-26 of August 2022 Download
- O’Ceallaigh C., McGetrick P., Harte A.M., (2022) Numerical examination of the structural behaviour of sustainable adhesive-free engineered wood products. In Proceedings of the ESMC 2022 - 11th European Solid Mechanics Conference, Galway, Ireland 4-8 July. Download
- O’Ceallaigh C., McGetrick P., Harte A.M., (2021) The Structural Behaviour of Compressed Wood Manufactured using Fast-grown Sitka Spruce. In Proceedings of the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) 2021, Santiago, Chile 9-12 August. Download
Mailing List
To keep up to date with ongoing work within the MODCONS Project, join our mailing list using the link below.
A goal of the "MODCONS Project", is to disseminate relevant information to all stakeholders within the construction industry (architects, building professionals, clients, foresters, engineers, sawmiller etc.). The information disseminated is related to ongoing research, industry events, industry innovations and changes to standards and regulations that can affect the industry.
Links
The MODCONS Project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Competitive Research Funding Programmes. Project Ref: 2019R471
