Fuzzy AHP Method for Selection of a Suitable Seismic Retrofitting Alternative in Low-Rise Buildings

Abstract

Decision making for selecting an appropriate alternative among nominated alternatives is still a problem among retrofit designers. It is clear that selected alternative should comply the current codes in terms of structural criteria, but the other criteria may not be considered. The main goal of this study is to introduce a suitable method for making a decision in order to find the best alternative considering the effective criteria in retrofitting of low-rise buildings. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), as a technique of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), is compatible to solve the problem. Effective criteria have been categorized to structural, operational, economic and functional criteria and sixteen sub-criteria considered as a pattern that satisfies the entire involved group including structural and architectural engineers, contractor, client, and authorities in retrofitting of low-rise buildings. Since most of the involved criteria such as aesthetic, durability, and compatibility have fuzzy nature and cannot be compared numerically, fuzzy AHP can be a compatible method for comparison different retrofitting alternatives among both fuzzy and non-fuzzy criteria. A matrix of pair-wise comparison (MPC) is used for determining the weight of criteria and also for scoring the alternatives respect to each criterion. A Fuzzy Importance scale with Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (TFN) is applied for comparing the criteria. The method is examined by a case study and the results show the used method can help designers for selecting the appropriate alternative.