Fuzzy AHP Approach for Enhancing Excavation Support System Selection in Building Projects: Balancing Safety and Cost-Effectiveness

Selecting the appropriate excavation support system (ESS) is critical for ensuring construction projects’ safety and cost-effectiveness. Several dynamic factors influence this decision-making process, such as the groundwater table, excavation depth, proximity to neighboring buildings, and soil characteristics. In practice, the selection often depends heavily on the subjective judgment of experienced professionals in the construction industry. Although the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is frequently employed to evaluate alternatives using multiple criteria, it fails to adequately account for the subjectivity and uncertainty in converting the decision-maker’s intuition into exact numerical values. To overcome this challenge, this study proposes an enhanced method known as fuzzy AHP. This approach is designed to capture the subjective experiences of experts better and effectively incorporate the uncertainties present in the decision-making process, ultimately aiding in identifying the most suitable ESS. A case study of excavation projects is also included to demonstrate the practical application of the proposed model. By presenting this approach, the study aims to raise awareness within the construction industry about the critical factors to consider when selecting the best excavation support technique for specific projects.