A Study of the Factors Influencing the Construction Risk of Steel Truss Bridges Based on the Improved DEMATEL–ISM

Abstract

To enhance the safety management of steel-truss-bridge construction, an evaluation method based on the improved DEMATEL–ISM was proposed to analyze the risk factors involved in such construction. Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is a method for systematic factor analysis that utilizes graph-theory and -matrix tools, allowing for the assessment of the existence and strength of relationships between elements by analyzing the logical and direct impact relationships among various elements in a system. The distinctive feature of Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) is the decomposing of complex systems into several subsystems (elements) and constructing the system into a multi-level hierarchical structural model through algebraic operations. Specifically, triangular fuzzy numbers are introduced initially to improve the direct influence matrix in the DEMATEL method, thereby reducing the subjectivity of expert evaluations. The degree of influence, influenced degree, centrality degree, and causality degree of each influencing factor are determined and ranked based on the above analysis. In response to the characteristics of top-push construction, 20 key factors were selected from four aspects: “human, material, environment, and management”. The top five identified influencing factors are displacement during pushing (X10), safety-management qualification (X18), local buckling (X14), overturning of steel beams (X13), and collision with bridge piers during guide beam installation (X7). Subsequently, corresponding solutions were proposed for different influencing factors. The results of the study offer targeted measures to enhance the safety management of steel truss bridge construction and provide a reference for accident prevention.