Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Multi-Criteria Material Selection Decision Support System For The Housing Construction Industry: Reflections From The Literature
by G. Sarpong-Nsiah and D.K. Ahadzie

Abstract:
Drawing on the Concept of Sustainability in Environmental Development, this paper presents a critique of a multi-criteria Material Selection Decision Support System for the Housing Industry of Ghana in the following context:exploring the role of the housing construction industry, current trends and challenges with focus on Socio-cultural variables, as a major role in sustainability principles in material selection in the form of a Decision Support System that can be used in creating an understanding and explanation of Decision Making in the use of materials for Housing Construction especially in a Developing Country context; investigates the current technology used in both developed and developing countries to assess the performance of building materials used in the housing projects; examine the quantifiable and comparable features of some selected decision-support systems so as to identify appropriate strategies that are needed to develop the proposed Integrated Modular-oriented System for the evaluation of local materials; and further examines the benefits and limitations of current models in ascertaining material sustainability.The implications for future research are then examined in an on-going doctoral study.

Keywords: Material Selection, Decision Support System, Sustainability in Construction, Socio-cultural Variables, Sustainable Development

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