• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.351-368
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• 2014

This study presents a hunting search based optimum design algorithm for engineering optimization problems. Hunting search algorithm is an optimum design method inspired by group hunting of animals such as wolves, lions, and dolphins. Each of these hunters employs hunting in a different way. However, they are common in that all of them search for a prey in a group. Hunters encircle the prey and the ring of siege is tightened gradually until it is caught. Hunting search algorithm is employed for the automation of optimum design process, during which the design variables are selected for the minimum objective function value controlled by the design restrictions. Three different examples, namely welded beam, cellular beam and moment resisting steel frame are selected as numerical design problems and solved for the optimum solution. Each example differs in the following ways: Unlike welded beam design problem having continuous design variables, steel frame and cellular beam design problems include discrete design variables. Moreover, while the cellular beam is designed under the provisions of BS 5960, LRFD-AISC (Load and Resistant Factor Design-American Institute of Steel Construction) is considered for the formulation of moment resisting steel frame. Levy Flights is adapted to the simple hunting search algorithm for better search. For comparison, same design examples are also solved by using some other well-known search methods in the literature. Results reveal that hunting search shows good performance in finding optimum solutions for each design problem.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.175-194
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• 2016

Nature has provided inspiration for most of the man-made technologies. Scientists believe that dolphins are the second to humans in smartness and intelligence. Echolocation is the biological sonar used by dolphins for navigation and hunting in various environments. This ability of dolphins is mimicked in this paper to develop a new optimization method. Dolphin Echolocation Optimization (DEO) is an optimization method based on dolphin's approach for hunting food and exploration of environment. DEO has already been developed for discrete optimization search space and here it is extended to continuous search space. DEO has simple rules and is adjustable for predetermined computational cost. DEO provides the optimum results and leads to alternative optimality curves suitable for the problem. This algorithm has a few parameters and it is applicable to a wide range of problems like other metaheuristic algorithms. In the present work, the efficiency of this approach is demonstrated using standard benchmark problems.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.841-852
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• 2018

This paper presents a dual-algorithm search method (GWO-GSO) combining grey wolf optimization (GWO) and golden-section optimization (GSO) to realize maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for photovoltaic (PV) systems. First, a modified grey wolf optimization (MGWO) is activated for the global search. In conventional GWO, wolf leaders possess the same impact on decision-making. In this paper, the decision weights of wolf leaders are automatically adjusted with hunting progression, which is conducive to accelerating hunting. At the later stage, the algorithm is switched to GSO for the local search, which play a critical role in avoiding unnecessary search and reducing the tracking time. Additionally, a novel restart judgment based on the quasi-slope of the power-voltage curve is introduced to enhance the reliability of MPPT systems. Simulation and experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can track the global maximum power point (MPP) swiftly and reliably with higher accuracy under various conditions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

Composite beams with corrugated steel webs represent a new innovative system which has emerged in the past decade for medium span in the construction technology. The use of composite beams with corrugated steel webs results in a range of benefits, including flexible spaces and reduced foundation costs in the construction technology. The thin corrugated web affords a significant weight reduction of these beams, compared with hot-rolled or welded ones. In the current research, an optimal designed I-girder beam with corrugated web has been proposed to improve the structural performance of continuous composite girder under bending moment. The experimental program has been conducted for six simply supported composite beams with different loading conditions. The tested specimens are designed by using one of the stochastic techniques called hunting search algorithm. In the optimization process, besides the thickness of concrete slab and studs, corrugated web properties are considered as design variables. The design constraints are respectively implemented from Eurocode 3, BS-8110 and DIN 18-800 Teil-1. The last part of the study focuses on performing a numerical study on composite beams by utilizing finite element analysis and the bending behavior of steel girders with corrugated webs experimentally and numerically verified the results. A nonlinear analysis was carried out using the finite element software ANSYS on the composite beams which were modelled using the elements ten-node high order quadrilateral type.