The effect of normalization norms in multiple attribute decision making models: a case study in gear material selection

The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different normalization norms within multiple attribute decision making (MADM) models. The application of the work is dedicated to gear material selection for power transmission. To this end, the general scheme of the decision model is first presented, with close attention to the context of material selection. Subsequently, the entropy method and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) are employed to weigh the selected failure criteria and to rank the selected material IDs, respectively. Finally, by the introduction of different norms to the solution algorithm, the effect of normalization formalism on the material selection using the MADM models is studied. A simple multiaxial strategy is also recommended from which safer engineering decisions may be attained.