Evaluating alternative construction materials used in the floors of major halls in Iraq

Abstract

The labor market has been constantly changing in recent decades, so choosing the type of construction materials in general and floor finishing materials in particular is of great importance for construction projects. This research helps to determine how to choose the flooring materials used in major halls in Iraq and how to employ TOPSIS, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution technical foundation in evaluating them. The study involves determining the criteria used to find the optimal alternative, as well as determining the quality index of those alternatives through the value engineering methodology in order to choose the best from this aspect. Therefore, arriving at appropriate alternatives for the purpose of construction works that can be implemented in the region, For the purpose of achiev-ing the goal of the research, the data was collected from the literature that dealt with the topics of the system’s preference by similarity to the ideal solution and value engineering, Finally from field visits and personal interviews with specialists from company managers and department and project managers. Descriptive, analytical, and statistical approaches were adopted for the study, and the results of data anal-ysis showed for sample members that carpet is the most relatively important alternative that can be cho-sen for the purpose of constructing floors for large halls, based on the standards studied. Also, the sound insulation standard is followed by the ease of maintenance standard, and then safety is more important than the rest of the standards in evaluating alternatives to flooring materials.