Driving change within temporary works

Thursday 5 February 2026

As always, the conversation continues around how the construction industry should make greater use of digital technologies, contributing to reduced carbon and more informed maintenance of existing assets. But what are these technologies and what value could they offer? Here, Gary Keenan, sales manager at MH International, explores more…

With 21% of all construction activity reportedly ‘wasted’¹ whether through poor planning or poor delivery, the importance of ‘right first time’ is clear. If teams are having to do the work twice due to error, not only is it a health and safety risk but a considerable carbon factor too. It’s here that digital innovation can come into play.

Through immersive 3D design software, teams can benefit from a digital rehearsal of the temporary works – visibility that can be taken even further with advancements in virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technology.

As well as the ability to visualise and resolve any potential clashes, whether between the temporary and the permanent or the new and the existing, such software can enable teams to consider the site and access logistics down to incredible levels of detail. The enhanced visualisation can even help teams to better-engineer and optimise a scheme design, improving efficiency and reducing the amount of steelwork required.

Mitigating risk

On any construction project, there are nine identified areas of high-risk areas, with one of them being temporary works. This is unsurprising, with temporary works presenting complex feats of engineering and often being responsible for supporting a large permanent structure while works are undertaken.

As a result, planning and execution are key. By using digital and immersive technology, these two factors can be bridged, allowing for informed decision-making processes through a digital device at an early stage. Teams can design it, visualise it and inspect it with the client, all via the 3D digital environment, with the ability to redesign elements where necessary and offer improved confidence on site.

All of this helps to reduce the risk factor, as well as contributing to a ‘right first time’ mindset, eliminating the likelihood of error and cut down on carbon.

Another danger presented, particularly within the highways and bridges sector, is manual inspections. Inspections form a key part of the TII’s 'Statement of Strategy', given the emphasis on maintaining and extending existing assets. However, this presents numerous challenges.

The very task of physically travelling around Ireland to visually inspect the structure for damage and provide advice is not only a momentous one, but it can also generate significant carbon emissions. There are also the resulting traffic delays to be considered, due to lane closures during inspections; cost; and health and safety risks.

Value of data

This is where monitoring technology can really deliver value, offering a move away from both schedule-based maintenance (potentially wasting unnecessary carbon on works that aren’t needed for another five or ten years) and inspection-based maintenance.

Through the installation of sensors – designed to measure and monitor movement, deflection, vibrations or cracks – live data can be easily accessed from anywhere, offering instant visibility into a structure’s performance. It can help to identify any structural impacts that have occurred or behavioural changes, whether due to increased traffic, age, load strain or general fatigue, while the ability to set limits can instantly trigger alerts should any tolerances be exceeded.

MH International

We regularly provide engineered, bespoke temporary works solutions that transform vision into reality. With extensive expertise across civil infrastructure and building sectors, our capabilities encompass hire for groundworks support, propping, hydraulic jacking, temporary access and temporary bridging. Combined with a dedicated monitoring department and experienced digital engineering team, MH International can work with you on the whole project journey, helping you to get it right first time.

Our new Ireland depot (located in Portlaoise) serves as a central hub for our comprehensive portfolio of temporary works equipment, allowing us to maintain a first-class, on-the-ground service to customers.

Learn more: https://mh.international/ie/?utm_source=EngineersJournal&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Ireland&utm_content=EngineersJournal