The optimum rock bolt support systemselection by using AHP method

Engineers may frequently encounter with the situation that need toselect the optimum option among the alternatives related with miningand civil operations. Experience and intuition have traditionally beencentral to decision-making in mining because of the frequent lack ofquantitative data. Qualitative analysis is based primarily on thejudgment, knowledge and experience of one or more experts.However, decision-making methods can offer to the engineers tosupport their optimum selection for a particular application in thescientific way. This paper presents an application of the AHP methodto the selection of the optimum rock bolt support system design. Forthis purpose nine types of rock bolt which are most practical forsupporting excavations were selected and by comprehensive study ofthese rock bolts, twenty six parameters which are effective forchoosing the best kind of rock bolt were presented. By using theExpert Choice software the appropriate kind of rock bolt is presentedand sensitive analysis for the results was carried out. The result of thisstudy shows that AHP application can assist the engineers toeffectively evaluate the rock bolt support system alternatives forexcavations.

Keywords:

AHP , MADM , Rock bolt , Support System , ExpertChoice