Choosing a Proper Method for Strengthening WPC Beams with Grooving Method Using Swara-Edas

Wood plastic composite (WPC) is a lightweight material, resistant against corrosion and damage, with recyclability of consuming materials. These materials usually used in marine structures frequently due to their unique features. In order to strengthen beams made by this material, usually Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) sheets are used, and one of the fracture modes in these beams is debonding of FRP sheet from the surface of the beams. To deal with this problem some grooves are used in the surface of the beam to improve the contact surface. The grooves include longitudinal, transverse and diagonal grooves. The main goal of this study is to assess different grooving methods in WPC-FRP beams. In this regard, primarily criteria (improving resistance, performance speed, performance complexity, performance costs, displacement and absorbing energy) were determined through interviews with experts in this field in order to assess the beams. Then, SWARA method employed to evaluate criteria with a policy based perspective and finally EDAS method applied for evaluating related alternatives. Based on obtained results, the longitudinal groove method is the best way of strengthening WPC beams to prevent debonding.