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Scope and Purpose An approach is developed for solving decision problems involving the choice among discrete alternatives based on two or more conflicting objectives. The approach involves the user choosing levels of the objectives that he desires to achieve (levels of aspiration), and provides him with various kinds of feedback. For example, the user is told what fraction of alternatives satisfies his levels of aspiration. It also provides the user with rankings of alternatives based on one of two possible ranking schemes, and other kinds of feedback. According to the ranking schemes, the most highly ranked by the system will never be inferior to or dominated by another alternative. By this we mean that there will not exist another alternative that is at least as good as the most highly ranked in all respects, but strictly better in at least one respect. The theory for the proposed procedure has been drawn from work of various researchers.The approach has been implemented in a computer program that is easy to use, and has been tested in a number of circumstances, including an experiment described in the paper. The results of the experiment are favorable to the method proposed.Abstract---A simple, eclectic approach for solving discrete alternative multiple criteria decision problems is presented. It is based on the concept of the level of aspiration, and draws on ideas of various researchers. It assumes that the user has a set of alternatives with each alternative having a score on each of a number of objectives or measures of performance. The user determines his levels of aspiration for different objectives. He is then provided with considerable feedback as to the degree of feasibility of each level of aspiration as well as the degree of feasibility with respect to all levels of aspiration as a whole. The closest nondominated solution to the solution specified by the levels of aspiration is provided. The proposed method is easy to use and easy to understand and has been implemented on a personal computer (an IBM PC or compatible with 512K RAM). We describe an experimental application in which 49 students in an MBA program used the method to solve two discrete alternative multiple criteria decision problems.

SUMMARYA finite element technique is developed for two-dimensional problems of dynamics of dam-water-foundation systems taking into account all interactions rigorously. Water-foundation interaction, which previous developments have only simulated, is considered by imposing proper conditions at the fluid-solid interface. Furthermore, the technique permits treatment of layered foundations. An application to a concrete gravity dam-water-foundation system is presented and discussed.

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