Sharif Digital Repository

Evaluation of a project and its contractors has considerable importance in gas well-drilling projects due to their high investments and worth. In this paper, the quality of some gas well-drilling projects is analyzed in order to evaluate and grade project tasks. A neuro-fuzzy network is utilized to learn the grading process and generate models. To select among these models, a ranking method, namely technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is employed. During seven gas well-drilling projects, 77 tasks are studied based on quality practitioners[U+05F3] points of view. After generating the primary models, three indices namely, root mean square error (RMSE),... 

Automatic image annotation has emerged as an important research topic due to the existence of the semantic gap and in addition to its potential application on image retrieval and management. In this paper we present an approach which combines regional contexts and visual topics to automatic image annotation. Regional contexts model the relationship between the regions, whereas visual topics provide the global distribution of topics over an image. Conventional image annotation methods neglected the relationship between the regions in an image, while these regions are exactly explanation of the image semantics, therefore considering the relationship between them are helpful to annotate the... 

Organizational performance evaluation is a very vital and sensitive process in any industry. One of the most crucial aspects of performance assessment is consideration of financial performance evaluation. In this kind of evaluation, we face many criteria and index to performing and also designing a comprehensive and effective model. Thus, this situation can be regarded as a fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, so the fuzziness and uncertainty of subjective perception should be considered. In this paper performance evaluation of seven active companies in the petrochemical industries was evaluated using combined method of fuzzy and analytic hierarchy process. In this paper... 

This study presents an innovative approach for the integration of flood hazard into the site selection of detention basins. The site selection process is conducted by taking into account multiple criteria and disciplines. Hydraulic modeling results derived from stormwater management model are employed by Technique for the Order of Prioritization by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to determine flood hazard score. The score generated by TOPSIS is used in a spatial multi-criteria decision-making site selection framework. Applying the framework, a suitability map is generated in which primary locations for detention basin placement are determined. The method is demonstrated through the... 

We propose a ranking method for fuzzy numbers. In this method a preference function is defined by which fuzzy numbers are measured point by point and at each point the most preferred number is identified. Then, these numbers are ranked on the basis of their preference ratio. Therefore, fuzzy numbers are compared relatively and not necessarily one is preferred absolutely over the others. This method is especially designed to evaluate alternatives in multi criteria or multi-attribute decision making. The method is intuitive and can be used to discriminate between numbers easily. The method is specially tailored for triangular fuzzy numbers (TFN) and an algorithm is presented to determine the... 

Despite a substantial potential of renewable energy sources, the current energy supply system in Iran relies almost entirely on fossil fuel resources. It has imposed significant financial burden on the country and has led to considerable GHG emissions. Moreover, the country is confronting several challenges for harnessing alternative clean energy sources and promoting rational energy policies over the recent decades. To probe the root cause of these problems, this paper first provides an overview on the previous energy planning attempts in Iran. It shows that adequate commitment to a long-term energy planning could have meaningfully prevented these serious challenges. However, the previous... 

Taking account of uncertainty in multicriteria decision making problems is crucial due to the fact that depending on how it is done, ranking of alternatives can be completely different. This paper utilizes linguistic values to evaluate the performance of qualitative criteria and proposes using appropriate shapes of fuzzy numbers to evaluate the performance of quantitative criteria for each problem with respect to its particular conditions. In addition, a process to determine the weights of criteria using fuzzy numbers, which considers their competition to gain greater weights and their influence on each other is described. A new fuzzy methodology is proposed to solve such a problem that... 

In this investigation, the multi-objective selection and optimization of a gantry machine tool is achieved by analytic hierarchy process, multi-objective genetic algorithm, and Pareto-Edgeworth-Grierson-multi-criteria decision-making method. The objectives include maximum static deformation, the first four natural frequencies, mass, and fabrication cost of the gantry. Further structural optimization of the best configuration was accomplished using multi-objective genetic algorithm to improve all objectives except cost. The result of sensitivity analysis reveals the major contribution of columns of gantry with respect to the crossbeam's contribution. After determining the most effective... 

This paper presents an application of the analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methods for selecting the best wastewater treatment process. The analytical hierarchy process is one of the best ways for deciding among the complex criteria structure in different levels, and the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is a synthetic extension of the classical method when the fuzziness of the decision makers are considered. After reviewing aerobic treatment processes operated in Iran's industrial estates and determining the main criteria used for treatment process evaluation, they are arranged in a hierarchy structure. Selection of the best wastewater treatment process... 

Financial performance evaluation is a very crucial process for industries in current highly competitive environment. Therefore, designing an accurate and appropriate performance evaluation framework is beneficial for insiders and also shareholders of a company. To evaluate financial performance, we need to consider some financial indicators that reflect the competitiveness of a company. There are many financial indicators and criteria that are vague and can be regarded as a fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. In this paper, we developed a new financial performance evaluation framework to rank the companies in Iranian petrochemical industry based on fuzzy MCDM approach. To... 

Cloud computing as a new technology can provide significant advantages in electronic banking services. Adoption of this technology in e-banking services requires consideration of several factors. The main objective of this study is to identify and rank the effective factors on adoption of cloud computing in e-banking. The factors were identified from literature review in four dimension based on TOE and HOT-fit models (technological, human, environmental and organisational factors). As a result of this study, 16 factors were identified in four dimensions. Using fuzzy group decision-making model and pairwise comparison between factors (by a survey of 63 experts, academics and practical persons... 

In this paper we propose a modified Fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (modified Fuzzy TOPSIS) for the Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem when there is a group of decision makers. Regarding the value of the truth that a fuzzy number is greater than or equal to another fuzzy number, a new distance measure is proposed in this paper. This distance measure calculates the distance of each fuzzy number from both Fuzzy Positive Ideal Solution (FPIS) and Fuzzy negative Ideal Solution (FNIS). Then, the alternative which is simultaneously closer to FPIS and farther from FNIS will be selected as the best choice. To clarify our proposed procedure, a... 

In the real world, there are complex decision-making problems in which a variety of intertwined factors and hierarchical structures exist, and it is difficult or impossible to solve these problems using classical methods. The prioritization of circular economy (CE) adoption barriers is one such complex problem that cannot be solved using current classical methods. Hence, in this paper, for the first time, a new method, namely, FBWDS, is developed. FBWDS derives from the combination of fuzzy best–worst method (BWM), fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and Supermatrix structure. This proposed method establishes weights of the intertwined factors in hierarchical... 

One of the most important aspects of a successful space mission is the transition to the correct orbit and maintaining it. As a result, many modern orbit transfer techniques have been developed in space industry in order to accomplish this task in a more reliable and less expensive way. However, when it comes to the design of student satellites, usually there are serious limitations on the financial resources, technical database and satellite industry experts. These limitations may compromise the access to advanced methods and techniques. Therefore, reliability and expenses may no longer be the only criteria to be met in the process of design. As a result, at each step of the design, a... 

In this study, a new series of assessments and evaluations of the Dual-Miller cycle is performed. Furthermore, the specified output power and the thermal performance associated with the engine are determined. Besides, multi-objective optimization of thermal efficiency, ecological coefficient of performance (ECOP) and ecological function (Eun) by means of NSGA-II technique and thermodynamic analysis are presented. The Pareto optimal frontier obtaining the best optimum solution is identified by fuzzy Bellman-Zadeh, Linear Programming Technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference (LINMAP), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) decision-making... 

Due to the devastating ecological effects and constrained reserves of fossil fuels, renewable energies are now globally accepted as viable alternative sources of energy. Among renewable energy sources, wind energy has become globally popular, primarily because wind farms can be rapidly built and easily maintained at a relatively low cost. Wind-powered hydrogen production is an effective solution for storing the excess energy output of wind farms. The hydrogen produced in this way can be used not only in fuel cells but also in cooling, oil, gas, and petrochemical fields. As a country devastated by war and instability, Afghanistan has major energy generation challenges and a substantially... 

In this research work, a modified fuzzy approach referred to as modified fuzzy logic method (MFLM) is proposed to more conveniently solve intricate decision-making problems under uncertainty and data deficiency. The method resolves major drawbacks like inaccuracy, complexity, and a high volume of computational efforts with the existing approaches for the mentioned problems. Here, MFLM is applied to materials selection for a cryogenic storage tank and a gas turbine blade, which are standard engineering problems used for verification by researchers, and the ranking results are compared with the state-of-the-art techniques in the literature, such as the conventional fuzzy logic method.... 

Hydrogen generation from renewable energy resources is considered as a suitable solution to solve the problems related to the energy sector and the reduction of greenhouse gases. The aim of this study is to provide an integrated framework for identifying suitable areas for the construction of wind farms to produce hydrogen. For this purpose, a combined method of Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) has been used to locate the power plant in Yazd province. The GIS method in the present study consisted of two parts: constraints and criteria. The constraint section included areas that were unsuitable for the construction of wind farms to produce power... 

Hydrogen as an energy carrier can play a significant role in reducing environmental emissions if it is produced from renewable energy resources. This research aims to assess hydrogen production from wind energy considering environmental, economic, and technical aspect for the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. The economic assessment is performed by calculation of payback period, levelized cost of hydrogen, and levelized cost of electricity. Since uncertainty in the power output of wind turbines may affect the payback period, all calculations are performed for four different turbine degradation rates. While it is common in the literature to choose the wind turbine based on a single criterion,... 

This paper presents an application of the analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methods for selecting the best wastewater treatment process. The analytical hierarchy process is one of the best ways for deciding among the complex criteria structure in different levels, and the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is a synthetic extension of the classical method when the fuzziness of the decision makers are considered. After reviewing aerobic treatment processes operated in Iran's industrial estates and determining the main criteria used for treatment process evaluation, they are arranged in a hierarchy structure. Selection of the best wastewater treatment process...