Identification of influential parameters in soil liquefaction under seismic risk using a hybrid neutrosophic decision framework

Liquefaction of soil exposes buildings, bridges, and other vital infrastructure to structural failure, subsidence, and loss of bearing capacity during earthquakes. It can endanger safety and result in significant financial losses in seismically active areas. The objective of the present study is to identify the key factors influencing soil liquefaction is essential to improving the precision of risk assessment and mitigation plans in seismically active regions. An abrupt increase in pore water pressure leads to a significant fall in effective stress, which in turn causes a significant drop in shear strength. Soil liquefies, losing its ability to bear shear stresses and behaves as a fluid. To identify the key factors influencing soil liquefaction, an integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) technique FUCOM-SVNN TOPSIS (Full Consistency Method (FUCOM), Single Valued Neutrosophic Number (SVNN), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)) has been developed. The study meticulously selects three key criteria and nine alternatives influenced by extensive literature review. Employing the FUCOM for establishing weights of criteria. FUCOM indicates that ’Seismic’ is the most significant criteria. SVNN-TOPSIS applied for degerming the rank of alternatives. The results of SVNN-TOPSIS indicate that ’Peak Ground Acceleration’ plays the crucial role in determining liquefaction potential. Validation of the proposed model by comparative study, statistical and sensitivity analysis, this methodology addresses the inherent uncertainties and interdependencies among various parameters, thereby enhancing the decision-making process related to seismic hazards.