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Earth dam site selection using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP): a case study in the west of Iran

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Abstract

Earth dam site selection is one of the most important problems in water resources management. It depends on a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria, and they may even be in conflict with each other. This study aims to develop a multicriteria decision-making approach to locate the dam site and construct a multipurpose earth dam in Harsin City at the western part of Iran. For this purpose, firstly, the influential criteria for locating the earth dam site were determined using a comprehensive literature review and the experts’ opinions. Then, some watersheds in the surrounding areas of Iran’s Harsin City were studied and four feasible sites proposed. In the final stage, these sites, in order to construct a multipurpose earth dam, were prioritized using the analytic hierarchy process approach and the most optimal site was selected.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the reviewers for their valuable and useful comments and suggestions. The authors would also like to thank Pandam Consulting Engineers Company and Kermanshah Regional Water Company for providing practical information and data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Eng., University of Razi, Kermanshah, Iran

    Minatour Yasser & Khazaei Jahangir

  2. Department of Mining Eng., Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

    Ataei Mohmmad

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  1. Minatour Yasser
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  2. Khazaei Jahangir
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  3. Ataei Mohmmad
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Correspondence to Ataei Mohmmad.

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Yasser, M., Jahangir, K. & Mohmmad, A. Earth dam site selection using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP): a case study in the west of Iran. Arab J Geosci 6, 3417–3426 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0602-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-012-0602-x

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