CFD-based AHP-TOPSIS decision-making model for gas explosion overpressure mitigation measures in underground utility tunnels

Abstract

Gas explosion is a highly destructive form of disaster, and it seriously threatens the safety of structures and personnel. The reduction and mitigation measures of gas explosions have been extensively investigated, such as blast walls, safety gaps, and inert gases. Among these numerous measures, how to select the most economical, feasible, and effective measure to reduce the consequences of gas explosions is one of the most important problems faced by decision-makers. Therefore, a CFD-based analytic hierarchy process–Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (AHP-TOPSIS) decision-making model was developed in this study. It combines the subjective experiences of decision-makers with the objective results of CFD numerical simulations, which makes the selected measure more reasonable and effective. The selection of mitigation measures for gas explosion overpressures in the UUT was taken as an example to verify the effectiveness of the proposed decision-making model. Three effective measures proposed in this study (i.e., yve = 10 m, D = 300 μm, yve = 10 m – D = 400 μm) were evaluated using the CFD software Flame Acceleration Simulator (FLACS) and used as target decision measures for the model. The results of the CFD-based AHP-TOPSIS decision-making model show that the measure of yve = 10 m – D = 400 μm is the most appropriate mitigation measure for gas explosion overpressures in the UUT under the evaluation index system, including feasibility, effectiveness, and economy. The results will support the selection of the appropriate overpressure mitigation measure of gas explosions and the blast-resistant design of UUTs.