Abstract <p>Material selection is crucial for ankle-foot prosthetics, impacting performance, durability, and user comfort. Given the complexity of these devices and conflicting design criteria, a structured selection method is necessary. This study proposes an ensemble-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework integrating five weighting techniques CRITIC, Entropy, MEREC, Standard Deviation, and Gini and six ranking methods, including COCOSO, MABAC, MAIRCA, COPRAS, TOPSIS, and WASPAS. Rankings are consolidated using the Copeland method for optimal material selection. Results indicate that high-carbon steel is the best choice for the spring due to its high tensile strength and fatigue resistance. Brass, with superior corrosion resistance, suits the lead screw, while bronze is optimal for gears due to wear resistance. Al 6061-T6, offering low weight and cost, is ideal for the body and other parts. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using COMSOL Multiphysics confirms these selections under real-world conditions. The design withstands stress up to <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="12008_2025_2340_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="52" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$1 \times 10^7$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mn>1</mn> <mo>×</mo> <msup> <mn>10</mn> <mn>7</mn> </msup> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> N/m<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="12008_2025_2340_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="8" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$^2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, supports 1200 N loads, and endures moments up to 20 Nm. This framework ensures reliable, cost-effective prosthetic designs. Fatigue life predictions based on S N curves further indicated that the prosthetic components operate within infinite-life regimes under the prescribed cyclic loading. This integrated framework bridges advanced decision-making techniques with numerical validation, offering a reliable and scalable approach for developing optimized, cost-effective, and durable prosthetic systems for transtibial amputees.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

Biomechanical material selection for ankle-foot prosthetics: an ensemble MCDM-FEA framework

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年6月23日

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Vidyapati Kumar,
Dilip Kumar Pratihar

摘要

Abstract

Material selection is crucial for ankle-foot prosthetics, impacting performance, durability, and user comfort. Given the complexity of these devices and conflicting design criteria, a structured selection method is necessary. This study proposes an ensemble-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework integrating five weighting techniques CRITIC, Entropy, MEREC, Standard Deviation, and Gini and six ranking methods, including COCOSO, MABAC, MAIRCA, COPRAS, TOPSIS, and WASPAS. Rankings are consolidated using the Copeland method for optimal material selection. Results indicate that high-carbon steel is the best choice for the spring due to its high tensile strength and fatigue resistance. Brass, with superior corrosion resistance, suits the lead screw, while bronze is optimal for gears due to wear resistance. Al 6061-T6, offering low weight and cost, is ideal for the body and other parts. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using COMSOL Multiphysics confirms these selections under real-world conditions. The design withstands stress up to $1 \times 10^7$ $1 \times 10^{7}$ N/m $^2$ $^{2}$ , supports 1200 N loads, and endures moments up to 20 Nm. This framework ensures reliable, cost-effective prosthetic designs. Fatigue life predictions based on S N curves further indicated that the prosthetic components operate within infinite-life regimes under the prescribed cyclic loading. This integrated framework bridges advanced decision-making techniques with numerical validation, offering a reliable and scalable approach for developing optimized, cost-effective, and durable prosthetic systems for transtibial amputees.

Graphical abstract