Bakhoum, E S H (2011) A decision support system for evaluation and selection of structural materials on a sustainability basis. PhD thesis, University of Southampton, UK.
Abstract
Structural materials are core to application in construction and the key to achieve more sustainable construction development. One of the approaches that can allow engineers to build structures more sustainable is the sustainable selection of materials. Therefore, this research develops a methodology for evaluation and selection of structural materials on a sustainability basis using a multi-criteria decision analysis. The methodology starts by identifying the sustainable criteria related to the structural materials over their total life cycle by developing a list of sustainable factors including their relevant indicators. It depends on a comprehensive literature review about sustainable materials in the construction industry. This criterion is utilized and applied to establish a Sustainable Scoring System (SSS), which is intended to be a reasonable way to assess the sustainability characteristics of the structural materials. This scoring system is designed to be integrated into a developed Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) approach that utilizes the theories of decision-making to rank and select the structural materials based on the identified sustainability criteria over their total life. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Entropy theory are used to formalize this approach. Both the developed sustainable scoring system and multi-attribute decision making approach are used to structure a Sustainable Decision Support System (SDSS) that automates the selection methodology. It links the material's sustainability with the design of the structural element, defines it through the consideration of its total life, and provides the material's sustainable rank as well as its sustainability degree. The computer logic and user guide interface of the computer-based system is designed and implemented by Microsoft Visual Basic software. The system is tested and verified by executing forty-two applications to assess its reliability and consistency.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | analytical hierarchy process; decision support; liability; life cycle; materials; reliability; sustainability; sustainable construction |
| Index terms: | analytical hierarchy process, construction industry, multi-criteria decision analysis, topsis, engineer, life cycle, sustainable material, preference, decision-making, methodology, literature review, entropy, decision support, sustainable construction, liability |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, value management, sustainable materials, profession, liability law, thermal systems, decision-making and optimization, industry analysis, decision analysis, sustainable construction, research methods, decision-making and reasoning |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Project Management, Risk Management, Sustainability, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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