A Decision Support System (DSS) to Select the most Sustainable Alternative to Deal with Buildings with Unacceptable Conditions

• Author / Creator

  Sherif, Hisham

• The gradual development of the construction sector is worsening environmental deterioration and causing an unsustainable rise in resource use, further complicating the industry's long-term issues. An important facet of this matter is the present strategy for handling antiquated structures, frequently distinguished by demanding upkeep needs. This thesis focuses on the urgent requirement for a novel decision-making framework that can simplify renovating or replacing buildings, consequently improving sustainability and efficiency in the construction industry. Implementing a Decision Support System (DSS) that utilizes (MCDM) approaches is a significant development in this field. This system enables a decision-making process based on scientific principles, resulting in time and cost savings and reduced environmental emissions. The DSS model presented here utilizes (MCDM) to include user preferences in identifying the most effective approach for dealing with elderly buildings that require extensive maintenance. The study examines four options: Major Renovation, Minor Renovation, Building Relocation, and Building Replacement. It utilizes a comprehensive evaluation framework that incorporates the three established aspects of sustainability - Economic, Environmental, and Social - along with a crucial fourth aspect, Technical Sustainability. This comprehensive method greatly improves the project work environment by incorporating varied perspectives from all major stakeholders (including owners, designers, and constructors) into the decision-making process. A hybrid MCDM technique was designed to put this model into operation. The method combines the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), decision matrix, and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) within a Fuzzy environment. This novel fusion was utilized to construct and assess numerous sub-criteria identified after an extensive literature review and meetings with
  industry experts. A former educational facility was utilized as a case study to verify the effectiveness and dependability of the produced Decision Support System (DSS). The validation process uncovered substantial disparities in the ultimate ordering of options, which can be attributed to the diverse weights allocated to each sub-criterion according to expert opinions. The DSS developed in this study is designed to be versatile, allowing it to be used in several construction industry sectors. This tool represents a significant advancement in promoting sustainable construction methods by improving the objectivity and consistency of the decision-making process. By using it, the construction sector may make more knowledgeable and environmentally friendly decisions about the maintenance of ancient structures, aiding the sector's progress toward sustainability.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Constrcution Managment

• Graduation date

  Fall 2024

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-z3x0-d645

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.