Hybrid AHP-Fuzzy TOPSIS Approach for Selecting Deep Excavation Support System

Usama Issa,Emad Osman,Muwaffaq Alqurashi,Fam Saeed,Yehia Miky

doi:10.3390/buildings12030295

Usama Issa, Emad Osman + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12030295

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Abstract

This paper introduces and further applies an approach to support the decision makers in construction projects differentiating among a variety of deep excavation supporting systems (DESSs). These kinds of problems include dealing with uncertainty in data, multi-criteria affecting the decision, and multi-alternatives to select one from them. The proposed approach combines the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with the fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (fuzzy TOPSIS) in a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model. The MCDM model emphasize the ability to combine expert knowledge, cost calculations, and laboratory test results for soil properties to achieve the scope. The model proved it had a superior ability to deal with the complexity and vague data that are related to construction projects. Furthermore, it was applied to a real case study for a governmental housing project in Egypt. Secant pile walls, sheet pile walls, and soldier piles and lagging are selected and studied as being the most common DESSs and as they satisfy the project requirements. The model utilized four criteria and fourteen comparing factors, including site characteristics, safety, cost, and environmental impacts. Based on the results of the model application on the investigated case study, a decision was reached that using secant piles as a supporting system in this project is mostly preferred. Furthermore, sheet pile wall, and soldier piles and lagging, come next in the ranking order. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate how sensitive the results are to the criteria weights. In addition, the paper discusses in detail the reasons and factors which affect and control the decision-making process.

Highlights

Casanovas-Rubio et al [1] defined deep excavation as “an excavation in soil or rock typically more than 4.5 m deep”
Three deep excavation supporting systems (DESSs) were picked up to compare the efficacy of their uses when supporting the excavation sides of the investigated case of study
Selecting an appropriate excavation support system has a great impact on the duration, quality, safety, and profitability of construction projects with deep excavations requirements

Summary

Introduction

Casanovas-Rubio et al [1] defined deep excavation as “an excavation in soil or rock typically more than 4.5 m deep”. These excavation works, especially when constructed in urban areas, require careful design and planning. Deep excavation supporting systems (DESSs) refer to an engineering solution designed to stabilize excavation sides [2]. DESSs have gained more attention recently due to the increasing demand of housing buildings and the small available spaces for constructions. Underground basements have become an essential component of new urban buildings. This is because parking in large cities is mostly serviced by aged and outdated above-grade parking structures that occupy valuable above-ground space [4]

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