Development of Bridge Resilience Index Using Multicriteria Decision-Making Techniques

Abstract

In general, four properties of resilience robustness, rapidity, resourcefulness, and redundancy (4Rs) are associated with technical, organizational, social, and economical (TOSE) dimensions are widely regarded when evaluating the resilience of infrastructure. Currently, bridge resilience is assessed using the factors for the technical dimensions associated with the 4Rs only. However, to make a comprehensive evaluation of bridge resilience, along with technical dimensions, this study additionally considers the TOSE dimensions associated with the 4Rs. To accomplish this, this study first develops a three-level hierarchical structure called a bridge resilience measure matrix (BRMM), this is based on a literature review and experts' opinions. The BRMM consists of a bridge resilience index (BRI) at the first level, the 4Rs at the second level, and TOSE factors at the third level. Then, a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) technique is used: (1) an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to obtain relative weights of the 4Rs (at the second level) and its associated TOSE factors (at the third level), (2) a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is applied to determine the 4Rs at the second level, and (3) a weighted sum method (WSM) is used to evaluate BRI at the top level. By using the developed BRMM, the bridge resilience indices of 12 bridges are computed. Finally, this study uses sensitivity analysis to examine how changing the relative weights of the 4Rs and TOSE factors influence the BRI. Further, BRI can be used to evaluate bridge resilience that aids in the preparation of strategies for managing, maintaining, and enhancing the resilience of bridges.