Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms in Applied Science and Engineering Applications

The objective of this study is to delineate the challenges associated with addressing complex optimization issues, with a specific focus on metaheuristic algorithms. A comprehensive investigation was undertaken to explore the principles and categories of these algorithms, gain a deeper understanding of the issues they present, and develop effective strategies to overcome them. To challenge these issues, the study explores metaheuristic algorithms, which are known for their effectiveness in solving such problems. However, these algorithms often struggle with getting stuck in local optima and maintaining a balance between exploration and exploitation. Additionally, they exhibit poor searchability and exploitation performance.

To address these challenges, this research work introduces three different algorithms: a modified version of child drawing development optimization MCDDO, a hybrid algorithm combining child drawing development optimization with harmony search CDDO-HS, and a novel metaheuristic called the social psychology interaction behavior algorithm SPIBA, inspired by human social psychology interactions.

The performance of these algorithms is evaluated using various benchmark test functions, including classical and CEC-C06 2019 benchmark functions. Statistical methods, such as ranking and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, are used to compare the results of these algorithms with the original algorithms, CDDO, HS, and other popular algorithms.

In the beginning, two different approaches were proposed, namely MCDDO and CDDO-HS. The main objective of both techniques is to overcome the issues that the CDDO faces. The CDDO is an example of a human-based metaheuristic approach that may encounter challenges such as getting trapped in local optima, demonstrating suboptimal performance in the exploration phase, and experiencing stagnation in the nearest optimal solution.

The first proposed MCDDO incorporates four key mechanisms: iterative pattern memory PM updating during the exploitation phase, where new experiences are compared with the child's current drawings; a change in the primary rule employed during the exploitation phase; parameter tuning to strike a balance between exploration and exploitation phases; and preservation of the best solution obtained in each iteration and comparing new solutions with the best solution during the exploration phase. Following the completion of the evaluation, the statistical findings indicate a consistent superiority of the proposed approach over standard algorithms, as evident in both average and p-value results. Specifically, out of the nineteen classical test functions and ten CEC-2019 benchmark test functions, the proposed approach demonstrated better performance in thirteen and nine instances, respectively. These results were then compared with those obtained from the JAYA, SCA, ChOA, DA, GPSO, and BOA algorithms. The comparative analysis confirmed that the proposed approach outperformed all other metaheuristic algorithms in four out of the ten CEC-2019 benchmark test functions.

The second proposed method, CDDO-HS, represents a hybridization between CDDO and HS and integrates two crucial mechanisms. Firstly, it relocates the PM to the algorithm's core, updating it with each iteration using the HS algorithm. Secondly, it establishes the PM size at 80% of the overall population, aiming for optimal exploration. After the evaluation, the statistical results reveal that the hybridization approach consistently outperforms standard algorithms in both average and p-value outcomes. Specifically, in comparison with CDDO, it achieves better results in eleven out of nineteen classical test functions and all functions from the CEC-2019 benchmark. When compared with HS, the hybrid approach excels in sixteen out of nineteen classical test functions and seven out of ten CEC-2019 benchmark test functions. These results were then pitted against the ChOA, BOA, FOX, GWO-WOA, WOA-BAT, and DCSO algorithms. The study proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the suggested method is better than all other metaheuristic algorithms in six of the ten CEC-2019 test functions.

In the subsequent phase, SPIBA, an innovative metaheuristic optimization algorithm inspired by social psychology, interaction behavior, and social interaction—processes involving the stimulus or response of two or more individuals—was developed. These fundamental ideas have been easily incorporated into SPIBA's core, which operates as a single-object and population-based algorithm. SPIBA's performance was compared to that of the ChOA, BOA, FOX, GWO-WOA, WOA-BAT, and DCSO algorithms. The exploration and convergence measures were utilized to assess its success. Their analytical results definitively indicated that the proposed approach beat all other metaheuristic algorithms in six of the ten CEC-2019 benchmark test functions.

Additionally, SPIBA was applied to equipment, real-world engineering, and applied science challenges, specifically pressure vessel design and the analysis of the pathological IgG fraction in the nervous system. When working in pressure vessel design and compared with eight other algorithms—WOA, GWO, FDO, CFDO, WOAGWO, KMGWO, RFSO, and MFDO—SPIBA appeared as the top-performing algorithm. It showed an average solution quality of 6.01E-05 and the lowest standard deviation of 2.00E-04, guaranteeing the top position. In the context of the "Nervous System's Pathological IgG Fraction" application problem, a comparison between SPIBA and Leo revealed a significant improvement in the proposed algorithm's performance.