Equipment selection based on two different fuzzy multi criteria decision making methods: Fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR

Deciding on equipment from a set of feasible alternatives for excavation purpose in open pit mines is a critical task for the engineers and contractors since it considerably affects the project costs and productivity. Alternatives of rock excavation equipment, which are deemed suitable for the diggability of rock units in open pits, can have many technical specifications or factors that should be considered simultaneously. It can be successfully selected in a scientific way by employing multi-criteria decision making methods by means of taking the advantage of engineering knowledge, intuition and past experiences. In this study, we select the most convenient hydraulic excavator for a magnesite mine by fuzzy multi criteria decision making methods: fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR. The fuzzy approach allows the experienced engineers to compare the multiple criteria (technical factors) and the possible alternatives of rock excavation machines by simply using linguistic expressions in their natural language