Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Structural Equation Modeling for supporting the decision-making of shuttering preference in construction projects

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

Department of Construction Engineering and Management, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), Vietnam National University (VNU-HMC), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

10.22115/scce.2024.404093.1676

Abstract

Shuttering is a temporary mold or structure into which concrete is poured and shaped. The choice of formwork can significantly impact the construction process, timeline, cost, and quality of the final structure. Certainly, identifying the most important criteria for selecting formwork (shuttering) is a valuable endeavor for supporting contractors in making informed decisions. This study is motivated by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess shuttering alternatives based on the identified evaluation criteria from the prior factor analysis stage. In addition, the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach is employed to discover underlying relations between the latent factors of the model base on using a combination of statistical data and qualitative causal assumptions. The study reveals that plastic shuttering as the optimal solution according to expert evaluations and verified the hypothetical causal relations among the latent variables. The study's outcomes are intended to enhance managers' understanding of shuttering systems, promoting the adoption of decision support tools in construction projects for improved planning accuracy and project success.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 May 2024
  • Receive Date: 27 June 2023
  • Revise Date: 01 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 24 February 2024