Multi-criteria decision-making approach for selecting a structural system of an industrial facility

Selection of an appropriate structural system for an industrial facility is a difficult task for decision makers since it is the essential component, and it is hard to satisfy the owner's demands as well as the legal requirements. There are many conflicting preferences that have to be considered to assess the performance of the structural system alternatives. Decision support systems (DSSs) such as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are useful in making an objective and rational choice. It is important to use MCDM methods in order to analytically evaluate different factors affecting the structural system selection. To address these challenges, the selection of the structural system of an industrial facility project in Turkey was carried out by applying Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) MCDM methods. Eight evaluation criteria were determined for the selection process within the scope of the study, which are project cost, project duration, project lifetime, labour and equipment requirement, recycling opportunities, resistance to environmental effects, suitability for installation and natural lighting needs. Prefabricated reinforced concrete (PRC), on-site reinforced concrete (RC) and steel structural system alternatives were evaluated according to each criterion by a survey study conducted by 193 civil engineer participants. Using the AHP and TOPSIS methods, it is determined that the most suitable alternative for industrial facilities is the steel structural framing system. The results were argued with the design team, and they confirmed that MCDM methods could be easily integrated in selecting the most appropriate structural system.