Multi-criteria performance evaluation of a glass panel system using full-scale experimental data

In order to better evaluate the lifetime performance of glass panel facade systems, this study firstly proposes to conduct a full-scale wind resistance, air/water infiltration, and seismic resistance tests. Two specimens were designed, constructed, and tested for this purpose. A fatigue process is also applied to one of the manufactured systems in addition to a standard test procedure. Secondly, data acquired from the experimental part of this work have been used in a multi-criteria performance evaluation process to determine the performance levels of each of the specimens. In the evaluation process, a total of 10 different criteria and 2 alternatives are identified for decision making. Performance indicator data obtained from the detailed calculations using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), COPRAS (Complex Proportional Assessment) and TOPSIS (The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) methods are then utilized during the numerical assessment process. The ‘criticality level’ is defined within the evaluation process and it indicates the percent (%) values of the obtained performance indicators. As a result of the performance evaluations, the AHP and TOPSIS methods gave similar results and could be selected as the preferred methods for the evaluation of such experimental data. Results obtained from the AHP and TOPSIS methods are consistent and easy to interpret when compared to the COPRAS method. Furthermore, in this work, the most critical criterion is found to be the frontal deflections.