Selection of a suitable method for the assessment of excavation damage zone using fuzzy AHP in Aba Saleh Almahdi tunnel, Iran

Choosing a suitable method for the assessment of excavation damage zone (EDZ) is very important in the economy, stability, and safety because the EDZ affects the behavior of rock mass surrounding the underground spaces, which reduces the stability and safety factor of the underground structure. In this study, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process was used to select a suitable method for the assessment of EDZ of Aba Saleh Almahdi tunnel for which seven selection methods and seven criteria were considered. To estimate the total weights and priorities of the candidate methods, the fuzzy extent analysis method was used. The results obtained showed that the geophysics method with the highest weight among the suggested methods for the assessment of EDZ of Aba Saleh Almahdi tunnel is the best method selected.