An integrated fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS approach for screening backfill materials for contaminant containment in slurry trench cutoff walls

Abstract

The inclusion of backfill material is crucial for the effective containment of contaminants in a slurry trench cutoff wall. However, selecting the optimal backfill material is complex and involves multiple criteria. This study aimed to develop a new approach to assist in the selection process by rationally dealing with the subjective judgment of decision makers. The approach employed fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods. Initially, consistent judgment matrices were established based on a unique consulting questionnaire. The fuzzy AHP method used Buckley's method to calculate the fuzzy weights of pairwise comparisons. The fuzzy TOPSIS method was then employed to rank and evaluate four different backfill materials. The proposed methodology was successfully implemented at a real contaminated site in China to select the appropriate backfill material for construction of a slurry trench cutoff wall. Based on the proposed integrated methodology, fiber reinforced reactive magnesia-activated slag-soil-bentonite (FMSB) was determined as the most appropriate backfill materials for contaminant containment in slurry trench cutoff walls at the site reported in this study.