A novel set pair analysis method based on variable weights for liquefaction evaluation

To ensure the safety of structures, high-speed railway and highway founded on liquefiable soils, liquefaction evaluation is a primary task. Herein, a dynamic set pair analysis method based on variable weights is introduced to assess liquefaction. A concept of connection degree of set pair consisting of the evaluation sample and the classification standard was described to interpret the uncertainty of liquefaction and relationship. Moreover, based on reward and penalty mechanism, state variable vectors were presented to assign composite weights of evaluation indicators in order to take into account impacts of indicator variation. And the integrated connection degree to each grade was calculated to evaluate liquefaction of the evaluated cases. Results from practical example and comparison with field investigation and extension method indicated that this proposed model used to evaluate liquefaction is feasible and effective. In addition, it can quantitatively describe liquefaction hierarchy of evaluated samples. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014