The use of multi-criteria decision making methods in the selection of construction machinery

In today's rapidly growing and evolving Turkish construction industry, activities are carried out on both a national and international scale, involving a wide variety of large-scale construction projects. With increased competition in the construction industry, the efficient utilization of resources has become crucial for project success. Construction machinery plays an indispensable role in the efficient and effective execution of projects. The management of construction machinery should be considered as a sub-function of project management, and companies need to allocate the necessary importance to this aspect. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the selection and management of construction machinery for companies operating in the Turkish construction industry. In the first phase of this study, the methods adopted by construction companies in acquiring and operating construction machinery were investigated through a questionnaire survey, and the most commonly used types and brands of construction machinery were identified. In the second phase of the study, the ideal brand selection of crawler excavators, dump trucks, and telescopic mobile cranes, identified as most commonly used in the Turkish construction industry, was performed using Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Techniques, specifically the AHP and TOPSIS methods, for a residential project executed in the city of Adana. The study provides guidance to industry stakeholders regarding the use of scientific methods in the acquisition of construction machinery and offers recommendations for more effective and efficient processes.