Dam construction material selection by implementing the integrated SWARA–CODAS approach with target-based attributes

Abstract

The selection of the optimal material in engineering design procedures of any construction project due to the complexity of future circumstances could be considered as a complex problem. Similar complex selection problems can be efficiently implemented with the support of Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) methods. The traditional MADM methods focus both on beneficial or non-beneficial attributes to determine a rank order of feasible alternatives and to select the best one. Nevertheless, like many engineering design problems, some attributes could be assessed based on target values. Therefore, target values of attributes along with beneficial and non-beneficial attributes makes a decision-making method more robust. Despite practical and functional applications of the target-based MADM approaches particularly in engineering design problems, only a few studies have made attempts to implement such methods. The presented study tackles a material selection problem by applying a hybrid decision-making approach supported on the Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method and COmbinative Distance-based ASsessment (CODAS) technique containing target-based attributes. A case-study concerning the selection of optimal cement material type based on a real-world conceptual dam construction project in Iran has been analyzed by the proposed method considering two categories of attributes, i.e., managerial issues and technical specifications.