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Normalization of geotechnical sustainability assessment tool (Geo-SAT) using multiple criteria decision analysis for dams

Author

Listed:
  • Kainat Batool

    (National University of Sciences and Technology)

  • Badee Alshameri

    (National University of Sciences and Technology)

  • Faisal Raza

    (National University of Sciences and Technology)

  • Abbas Haider

    (National University of Sciences and Technology)

  • Majid Ali

    (Capital University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Geotechnical engineering, being preliminary in any construction project, is of paramount importance for achieving sustainability. One of the important domains of sustainable development in geotechnics is sustainability assessments as it is essential to determine the impact of engineering activities on built environment. An indicator-based sustainability assessment tool called Geotechnical Sustainability Assessment Tool (Geo-SAT) was developed in this regard. The indicators used in Geo-SAT are generic in nature and judged on equal weightages, hence create skewness. Furthermore, the essentiality of these indicators varies across different projects and their life cycle stages. So, the tool requires scale normalization to remove this exaggeration of results. In current research 32 technical indicators are sampled out of 171 indicators of Geo-SAT using Delphi technique. The weightages of these indicators have been then normalized using Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Multiple Attribute Value Theory (MAVT), a sub-technique under MCDA, is used for analysis as it compares between different criteria (i.e., project life cycle stages, indicators, and expert’s opinion) and computes the weighted averages. For this purpose, a questionnaire has been developed and distributed among 52 relevant field experts having a predefined experience criteria set by authors, to record their opinion regarding the importance of indicators across project life cycle stages. 50 responses were accepted based on their reliability and completeness. As a result, the sustainability indices for all indicators are then calculated using MAVT based on weights of importance and relative weights attained from the questionnaires. Furthermore, it is established that the most critical indicators for the dam’s sustainability assessment are “quality control during construction”, “construction material wastage” and “feasibility reports”, with highest weightages of 4.8%, 4.3%, and 4.2%, respectively. It is concluded that inculcating these computed weightages to Geo-SAT will increase the reliability and reduce the skewness in the sustainability assessment of dam projects. The current research is an effort to develop a sustainability assessment tool for dams (as no such assessment tool exists for dams exclusively) by improving Geo-SAT in terms of scale normalization. The normalized version of Geo-SAT, which is based on weighted averages of indicators, is a way forward for future development of certification system.

Suggested Citation

  • Kainat Batool & Badee Alshameri & Faisal Raza & Abbas Haider & Majid Ali, 2024. "Normalization of geotechnical sustainability assessment tool (Geo-SAT) using multiple criteria decision analysis for dams," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 19871-19905, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:8:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03442-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03442-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Faisal Raza & Badee Alshameri & S. Muhammad Jamil, 2021. "Assessment of triple bottom line of sustainability for geotechnical projects," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 4521-4558, March.
    2. Tai-Yi Liu & Guan-Ting Liu & Po-Han Chen & Nelson N. S. Chou & Shih-Ping Ho, 2021. "Establishment of a Sustainability Assessment System for Bridges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-25, April.
    3. Zhandong Sun & Qun Huang & Christian Opp & Thomas Hennig & Ulf Marold, 2012. "Impacts and Implications of Major Changes Caused by the Three Gorges Dam in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(12), pages 3367-3378, September.
    4. Shobeir Karami & Ezatollah Karami, 2020. "Sustainability assessment of dams," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 2919-2940, April.
    5. Faisal Raza & Badee Alshameri & S. Muhammad Jamil, 2021. "Engineering aspect of sustainability assessment for geotechnical projects," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 6359-6394, April.
    6. Slobodan B. Mickovski, 2021. "Sustainable Geotechnics—Theory, Practice, and Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-4, May.
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