Muhammad Sulaiman

A Plant Propagation Algorithm for Constrained Engineering Optimisation Problems

Optimisation problems arising in industry are some of the hardest, often because of the tight specifications of the products involved. They are almost invariably constrained and they involve highly nonlinear, and non-convex functions both in the objective and in the constraints. It is also often the case that the solutions required must be of high quality and obtained in realistic times. Although there are already a number of well performing optimisation algorithms for such problems, here we consider the novel Plant Propagation Algorithm (PPA) which on continuous problems seems to be very competitive. It is presented in a modified form to handle a selection of problems of interest. Comparative results obtained with PPA and state-of-the-art optimisation algorithms of the Nature-inspired type are presented and discussed. On this selection of problems, PPA is found to be as good as and in some cases superior to these algorithms.

A Seed-Based Plant Propagation Algorithm: The Feeding Station Model

The seasonal production of fruit and seeds is akin to opening a feeding station, such as a restaurant. Agents coming to feed on the fruit are like customers attending the restaurant; they arrive at a certain rate and get served at a certain rate following some appropriate processes. The same applies to birds and animals visiting and feeding on ripe fruit produced by plants such as the strawberry plant. This phenomenon underpins the seed dispersion of the plants. Modelling it as a queuing process results in a seed-based search/optimisation algorithm. This variant of the Plant Propagation Algorithm is described, analysed, tested on nontrivial problems, and compared with well established algorithms. The results are included.

Enhanced Version of Multi-algorithm Genetically Adaptive for Multiobjective optimization

Abstract: Multi-objective EAs (MOEAs) are well established population-based techniques for solving various search and optimization problems. MOEAs employ different evolutionary operators to evolve populations of solutions for approximating the set of optimal solutions of the problem at hand in a single simulation run. Different evolutionary operators suite different problems. The use of multiple operators with a self-adaptive capability can further improve the performance of existing MOEAs. This paper suggests an enhanced version of a genetically adaptive multi-algorithm for multi-objective (AMAL-GAM) optimisation which includes differential evolution (DE), particle swarm optimization (PSO), simulated binary crossover (SBX), Pareto archive evolution strategy (PAES) and simplex crossover (SPX) for population evolution during the course of optimization. We examine the performance of this enhanced version of AMALGAM experimentally over two different test suites, the ZDT test problems and the test instances designed recently for the special session on MOEA?s competition at the Congress of Evolutionary Computing of 2009 (CEC?09). The suggested algorithm has found better approximate solutions on most test problems in terms of inverted generational distance (IGD) as the metric indicator. - See more at: http://thesai.org/Publications/ViewPaper?Volume=6&Issue=12&Code=ijacsa&SerialNo=37#sthash.lxkuyzEf.dpuf

Improved Solutions for the Optimal Coordination of DOCRs Using Firefly Algorithm

Nature-inspired optimization techniques are useful tools in electrical engineering problems to minimize or maximize an objective function. In this paper, we use the firefly algorithm to improve the optimal solution for the problem of directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs). It is a complex and highly nonlinear constrained optimization problem. In this problem, we have two types of design variables, which are variables for plug settings (PSs) and the time dial settings (TDSs) for each relay in the circuit. The objective function is to minimize the total operating time of all the basic relays to avoid unnecessary delays. We have considered four models in this paper which are IEEE (3-bus, 4-bus, 6-bus, and 8-bus) models. From the numerical results, it is obvious that the firefly algorithm with certain parameter settings performs better than the other state-of-the-art algorithms.

A Hybridisation of Runner-Based and Seed-Based Plant Propagation Algorithms

In this chapter we introduce a hybrid plant propagation algorithm which combines the standard PPA which uses runners as a means for search and SbPPA which uses seeds as a means for search. Runners are more suited for exploitation while seeds, when propagated by animals and birds, are more suited for exploration. Combining the two is a natural development to design an effective global optimisation algorithm. PPA and SbPPA will be recalled. The hybrid algorithm is then presented and comparative computational results are reported.

Evolutionary Algorithms Based on Decomposition and Indicator Functions: State-of-the-art Survey

In the last two decades, multiobjective optimization has become mainstream because of its wide applicability in a variety of areas such engineering, management, the military and other fields. Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) play a dominant role in solving problems with multiple conflicting objective functions. They aim at finding a set of representative Pareto optimal solutions in a single run. Classical MOEAs are broadly in three main groups: the Pareto dominance based MOEAs, the Indicator based MOEAs and the decomposition based MOEAs. Those based on decomposition and indicator functions have shown high search abilities as compared to the Pareto dominance based ones. That is possibly due to their firm theoretical background. This paper presents state-of-the-art MOEAs that employ decomposition and indicator functions as fitness evaluation techniques along with other efficient techniques including those which use preference based information, local search optimizers, multiple ensemble search operators together with self-adaptive strategies, metaheuristics, mating restriction approaches, statistical sampling techniques, integration of Fuzzy dominance concepts and many other advanced techniques for dealing with diverse optimization and search problems

Hybridized Symbiotic Organism Search Algorithm for the Optimal Operation of Directional Overcurrent Relays

This paper presents the solution of directional overcurrent relay (DOCR) problems using Simulated Annealing based Symbiotic Organism Search (SASOS). The objective function of the problem is to minimize the sum of the operating times of all primary relays. The DOCR problem is nonlinear and highly constrained with two types of decision variables, namely, the time dial settings (TDS) and plug setting (PS). In this paper, three models of the problem are considered, the IEEE 3-bus, 4-bus, and 6-bus, respectively. We have applied SASOS to solve the problem and the obtained results are compared with other algorithms available in the literature.

Strip Algorithms as an Efficient Way to Initialise Population-Based Metaheuristics

The Strip Algorithm (SA) is a constructive heuristic which has been tried on the Euclidean Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) and other planar network problems with some success. Its attraction is its efficiency. In its simplest form, it can find tours of length \(\varOmega \ (\sqrt{n})\) in O (n log n) operations where n is the number of nodes. Here, we set out to investigate new variants such as the 2-Part Strip Algorithm (2-PSA), the Spiral Strip Algorithm (SSA) and the Adaptive Strip Algorithm (ASA). The latter is particularly suited for Euclidean TSPs with non-uniform distribution of cities across the grid; i.e problems with clustered cities. These cases present an overall low density, but high localised densities. ASA takes this into account in that smaller strips are generated where the density is high. All three algorithms are analysed, implemented and computationally tested against each other and the Classical Strip Algorithm. Computational results are included.

On the Theoretical Analysis of the Plant Propagation Algorithms

Plant Propagation Algorithms (PPA) are powerful and flexible solvers for optimisation problems. They are nature-inspired heuristics which can be applied to any optimisation/search problem. There is a growing body of research, mainly experimental, on PPA in the literature. Little, however, has been done on the theoretical front. Given the prominence this algorithm is gaining in terms of performance on benchmark problems as well as practical ones, some theoretical insight into its convergence is needed. The current paper is aimed at fulfilling this by providing a sketch for a global convergence analysis.