Huynh, N M; Le-Hoai, L; Chuong Nguyen, V H and Tran, C (2025) An assessment framework for underground construction methods in the pre-construction stage: a technical perspective. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(3), pp. 265-277. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The selection of an appropriate underground construction method plays a crucial role during the pre-construction phase as it must consider various aspects, such as safety, technical feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. However, there is still a lack of technical assessments for selecting suitable underground construction methods in the research field. Therefore, this study aims to build an assessment model to technically assess such methods in the pre-construction stage. Firstly, technical assessment factors were obtained from literature reviews, expert consultations and survey results. Factor analysis was performed to reveal the underlying significance of each factor. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) model was then constructed to assess the relative importance of each factor. Finally, the assessment model was validated by seeking experts' opinions on its performance in a practical project. The study resulted in a Fuzzy AHP model established from a list of 8 groups of factors with 35 refined factors, covering many aspects from documents and resources to geology and hydrology. The validation results demonstrated the model's effectiveness in assisting contractors to make informed decisions. This study has contributed to construction literature by introducing a novel framework for underground construction methods, offering a practical tool for pre-construction planning and decision-making.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | assessment model; fuzzy AHP; hierarchical structure; technical factors; underground construction method |
| Index terms: | pre-construction, underground construction, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, factor analysis, effectiveness, literature review, survey, cost-effectivenes, relative importance, hydrology, decision-making, validation, documents |
| Subjects: | decision-making and optimization, water management, professional development, economics, performance management, statistical analysis, geotechnical engineering, decision analysis, risk assessment, data collection methods, data analysis and analytics, project delivery |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Quality Management, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here