Title: Firefly algorithm, stochastic test functions and design optimisation

Authors: Xin-She Yang

Addresses: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK

Abstract: Modern optimisation algorithms are often metaheuristic, and they are very promising in solving NP-hard optimisation problems. In this paper, we show how to use the recently developed firefly algorithm to solve non-linear design problems. For the standard pressure vessel design optimisation, the optimal solution found by FA is far better than the best solution obtained previously in the literature. In addition, we also propose a few new test functions with either singularity or stochastic components but with known global optimality and thus they can be used to validate new optimisation algorithms. Possible topics for further research are also discussed.

Keywords: firefly algorithm; design optimisation; metaheuristics; stochastic test function; particle swarm optimisation; PSO; bio-inspired computation; nonlinear design; pressure vessel design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIC.2010.032124

International Journal of Bio-Inspired Computation, 2010 Vol.2 No.2, pp.78 - 84

Received: 14 Jan 2010
Accepted: 17 Jan 2010
Published online: 10 Mar 2010 *

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