Determination of the Importance Level of Basic Criteria in Building Construction with AHP and FAHP Methods

The primary expectations from buildings include safety, cost-effectiveness, aesthetics, durability, functionality, and sustainability. Addressing these complex criteria and potential trade-offs requires determining their relative importance to guide construction practices. This study evaluates these criteria using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Interviews with seven engineering experts helped define the criteria. Subsequently, 22 architects and engineers performed pairwise comparisons, producing individual matrices. These matrices were aggregated into a single matrix via geometric averaging, with consistency verified. Safety emerged as the highest priority, followed by durability, while the remaining criteria were balanced. FAHP enhanced robustness by integrating fuzzy logic to handle subjective judgments. The findings offer practical insights for designers, contractors, and industry professionals, aiding in informed decision-making and prioritization of building criteria.