Improvements in meta-heuristic algorithms for minimum cost design of reinforced concrete rectangular sections under compression and biaxial bending

A numerical procedure is proposed in this paper for achieving the minimum cost design of reinforced concrete rectangular sections under compression and biaxial bending by using biologically-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithms. The problem formulation includes the costs of concrete, reinforcement and formwork, obtaining the detailed optimum design in which the section dimensions and the reinforcement correspond to values used in practice. The formulation has been simplified in order to reduce the computational cost while ensuring the rigor necessary to achieve safe designs. The numerical procedure includes the possibility of using high-strength concrete and several design constraints, such as mínimum reinforcement and limiting the neutral axis depth. Two numerical examples are presented, drawing comparisons between the results obtained by ACI318 and EC2 standards

Firefly Algorithms for Multimodal Optimization

Nature-inspired algorithms are among the most powerful algorithms for optimization. This paper intends to provide a detailed description of a new Firefly Algorithm (FA) for multimodal optimization applications. We will compare the proposed firefly algorithm with other metaheuristic algorithms such as particle swarm optimization (PSO). Simulations and results indicate that the proposed firefly algorithm is superior to existing metaheuristic algorithms. Finally we will discuss its applications and implications for further research

A hybrid swarm-based algorithm for single-objective optimization problems involving high-cost analyses

In many technical fields, single-objective optimization procedures in continuous domains involve expensive numerical simulations. In this context, an improvement of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm, called the Artificial super-Bee enhanced Colony (AsBeC), is presented. AsBeC is designed to provide fast convergence speed, high solution accuracy and robust performance over a wide range of problems. It implements enhancements of the ABC structure and hybridizations with interpolation strategies. The latter are inspired by the quadratic trust region approach for local investigation and by an efficient global optimizer for separable problems. Each modification and their combined effects are studied with appropriate metrics on a numerical benchmark, which is also used for comparing AsBeC with some effective ABC variants and other derivative-free algorithms. In addition, the presented algorithm is validated on two recent benchmarks adopted for competitions in international conferences. Results show remarkable competitiveness and robustness for AsBeC.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, Springer Swarm Intelligenc

Efficiency Analysis of Swarm Intelligence and Randomization Techniques

Swarm intelligence has becoming a powerful technique in solving design and scheduling tasks. Metaheuristic algorithms are an integrated part of this paradigm, and particle swarm optimization is often viewed as an important landmark. The outstanding performance and efficiency of swarm-based algorithms inspired many new developments, though mathematical understanding of metaheuristics remains partly a mystery. In contrast to the classic deterministic algorithms, metaheuristics such as PSO always use some form of randomness, and such randomization now employs various techniques. This paper intends to review and analyze some of the convergence and efficiency associated with metaheuristics such as firefly algorithm, random walks, and L\'evy flights. We will discuss how these techniques are used and their implications for further research.Comment: 10 pages. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1212.0220, arXiv:1208.0527, arXiv:1003.146

An Improved Imperialist Competitive Algorithm based on a new assimilation strategy

Meta-heuristic algorithms inspired by the natural processes are part of the optimization algorithms that they have been considered in recent years, such as genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization, Firefly algorithm. Recently, a new kind of evolutionary algorithm has been proposed that it is inspired by the human sociopolitical evolution process. This new algorithm has been called Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA). The ICA is a population-based algorithm where the populations are represented by countries that are classified as colonies or imperialists. This paper is going to present a modified ICA with considerable accuracy, referred to here as ICA2. The ICA2 is tested with six well-known benchmark functions. Results show high accuracy and avoidance of local optimum traps to reach the minimum global optimal.Three important policies are in the ICA, and assimilation policy is the most important of them. This research focuses on an assimilation policy in the ICA to propose a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm for optimizing function with high accuracy and avoiding to trap in local optima rather than using original ICA by a new assimilation strategy