| This study was undertaken to develop a methodology for assessing the potential use of new technologically advanced materials, composites, in structural civil engineering applications. The area of concentration of the research is in the construction, repair and rehabilitation of infrastructures such as bridges, water and sewer treatment plants, and airports. Application of the methodology will assist decision makers during project planning and preliminary structural design phases in determining the viability and efficiency of using composites, which provide longer life spans and require less maintenance of infrastructures. A multi-objective systematic approach based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is designed to assist the decision makers in the selection of infrastructure materials. This model is capable of analyzing numerous objectives and of providing an optimal selection of materials based on specific project or application.;The developed methodology consists of six main criteria: assessment of the structural capabilities, environmental behavior, economic and social costs, material availability, codes and regulations, and architectural aspects of the proposed material. Input from structural civil engineering experts was included during the model development phase. To validate the methodology, model testing was later performed by the engineering experts based on a case study. Although the model is developed to assist managers with material selection, it also provides an important tool for the structural design team in the early stages of the project. The model identifies the structural requirements for a given project, and highlights the design criteria through the various levels of a decision hierarchy diagram. This will enable the users to build an integrated system, and, provide the capability to visualize and focus on its various components in the early stages of the project. |
