Construct Innovate research centre based at the University of Galway has been awarded €2 million in funding for specialised equipment at testing facilities.
Construct Innovate secured grants to fund three projects at the University of Galway and one project at UCD.
The 2023 Capital Equipment Fund will allow Construct Innovate to develop a building envelope testbed, expand and upgrade their structural testing facilities and enable the development of modern methods of construction (MMC) through automated and process technologies.
Construct Innovate directors, Prof Jamie Goggins and Dr Magdalena Hajdukiewicz, welcomed the announcement of the Capital Equipment Fund results.
Dr Hajdukiewicz said, “Construct Innovate facilitates industry-led, independent and evidence-based research supporting innovation and sustainability in the construction sector.”
“This recent funding will provide our partner institutions with state-of-the-art equipment that supports the development and testing of new materials and systems, including modern methods of construction and utilisation of digital technologies.”
The funding supports the development of a Building Envelope Testbed at the University of Galway. The 3-cell facility will have the capacity to conduct various types of tests measuring the performance of building envelope assemblies.
The will include thermal characteristics, moisture transfer, solar and luminous characteristics of glazing, air permeability, water tightness, acoustic performance, energy performance (including renewable energy systems), and indoor environmental quality incl. thermal comfort.
The testbed’s design and specifications have been created with the specific needs of Ireland’s construction industry in mind.
Secondly, a suite of equipment is being funded to extend the capabilities within the Large Structures Testing Laboratory at the University of Galway to be suitable for testing construction elements at or near full-scale.
The money will also be used for an autonomous mobile robot which will advance the next-generation of automation in construction.
This will also be deployed for off-site construction and assembly process development, specifically focusing on production scale-up capability.
