Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm for Grouping Decision Variables Based on Extreme Point Pareto Frontier

The existing algorithms for solving multi-objective optimization problems fall into three main categories:Decomposition-based,dominance-based,and indicator-based.Traditional multi-objective optimization problemsmainly focus on objectives,treating decision variables as a total variable to solve the problem without consideringthe critical role of decision variables in objective optimization.As seen,a variety of decision variable groupingalgorithms have been proposed.However,these algorithms are relatively broad for the changes of most decisionvariables in the evolution process and are time-consuming in the process of finding the Pareto frontier.To solvethese problems,a multi-objective optimization algorithm for grouping decision variables based on extreme pointPareto frontier(MOEA-DV/EPF)is proposed.This algorithm adopts a preprocessing rule to solve the Paretooptimal solution set of extreme points generated by simultaneous evolution in various target directions,obtainsthe basic Pareto front surface to determine the convergence effect,and analyzes the convergence and distributioneffects of decision variables.In the later stages of algorithm optimization,different mutation strategies are adoptedaccording to the nature of the decision variables to speed up the rate of evolution to obtain excellent individuals,thusenhancing the performance of the algorithm.Evaluation validation of the test functions shows that this algorithmcan solve the multi-objective optimization problem more efficiently.

A Parallel Global-Local Mixed Evolutionary Algorithm for Multimodal Function Optimization Based on Domain Decomposition

This paper presents a parallel two-level evolutionary algorithm based on domain decomposition for solving function optimization problem containing multiple solutions. By combining the characteristics of the global search and local search in each sub-domain, the former enables individual to draw closer to each optima and keeps the diversity of individuals, while the latter selects local optimal solutions known as latent solutions in sub-domain. In the end, by selecting the global optimal solutions from latent solutions in each sub-domain, we can discover all the optimal solutions easily and quickly.

Enhancing Evolutionary Algorithms With Pattern Mining for Sparse Large-Scale Multi-Objective Optimization Problems

Sparse large-scale multi-objective optimization problems(SLMOPs)are common in science and engineering.However,the large-scale problem represents the high dimensionality of the decision space,requiring algorithms to traverse vast expanse with limited computational resources.Furthermore,in the context of sparse,most variables in Pareto optimal solutions are zero,making it difficult for algorithms to identify non-zero variables efficiently.This paper is dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by SLMOPs.To start,we introduce innovative objective functions customized to mine maximum and minimum candidate sets.This substantial enhancement dramatically improves the efficacy of frequent pattern mining.In this way,selecting candidate sets is no longer based on the quantity of nonzero variables they contain but on a higher proportion of nonzero variables within specific dimensions.Additionally,we unveil a novel approach to association rule mining,which delves into the intricate relationships between non-zero variables.This novel methodology aids in identifying sparse distributions that can potentially expedite reductions in the objective function value.We extensively tested our algorithm across eight benchmark problems and four real-world SLMOPs.The results demonstrate that our approach achieves competitive solutions across various challenges.

Tourism Route Recommendation Based on A Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm Using Two-Stage Decomposition and Pareto Layering

Tourism route planning is widely applied in the smart tourism field.The Pareto-optimal front obtained by the traditional multi-objective evolutionary algorithm exhibits long tails,sharp peaks and disconnected regions problems,which leads to uneven distribution and weak diversity of optimization solutions of tourism routes.Inspired by these limitations,we propose a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for tourism route recommendation(MOTRR)with two-stage and Pareto layering based on decomposition.The method decomposes the multiobjective problem into several subproblems,and improves the distribution of solutions through a two-stage method.The crowding degree mechanism between extreme and intermediate populations is used in the two-stage method.The neighborhood is determined according to the weight of the subproblem for crossover mutation.Finally,Pareto layering is used to improve the updating efficiency and population diversity of the solution.The two-stage method is combined with the Pareto layering structure,which not only maintains the distribution and diversity of the algorithm,but also avoids the same solutions.Compared with several classical benchmark algorithms,the experimental results demonstrate competitive advantages on five test functions,hypervolume(HV)and inverted generational distance(IGD)metrics.Using the experimental results of real scenic spot datasets from two famous tourism social networking sites with vast amounts of users and large-scale online comments in Beijing,our proposed algorithm shows better distribution.It proves that the tourism routes recommended by our proposed algorithm have better distribution and diversity,so that the recommended routes can better meet the personalized needs of tourists.

Synergetic Optimization of Missile Shapes for Aerodynamic and Radar Cross-Section Performance Based on Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm

A multiple-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) with a new Decision Making (DM) scheme for MOD of conceptual missile shapes was presented, which is contrived to determine suitable tradeoffs from Pareto optimal set using interactive preference articulation. There are two objective functions, to maximize ratio of lift to drag and to minimize radar cross-section (RCS) value. 3D computational electromagnetic solver was used to evaluate RCS, electromagnetic performance. 3D Navier-Stokes flow solver was adopted to evaluate aerodynamic performance. A flight mechanics solver was used to analyze the stability of the missile. Based on the MOEA, a synergetic optimization of missile shapes for aerodynamic and radar cross-section performance is completed. The results show that the proposed approach can be used in more complex optimization case of flight vehicles.

Evolutionary many objective optimization based on bidirectional decomposition

The decomposition based approach decomposes a multi-objective problem into a series of single objective subproblems, which are optimized along contours towards the ideal point. But non-dominated solutions cannot spread uniformly, since the Pareto front shows different features, such as concave and convex. To improve the distribution uniformity of non-dominated solutions, a bidirectional decomposition based approach that constructs two search directions is proposed to provide a uniform distribution no matter what features problems have. Since two populations along two search directions show differently on diversity and convergence, an adaptive neighborhood selection approach is presented to choose suitable parents for the offspring generation. In order to avoid the problem of the shrinking search region caused by the close distance of the ideal and nadir points, a reference point update approach is presented. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated with four state-of-the-art algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm on all considered test problems.

A Multi-Objective Optimal Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Tree-Ranking

Multi-objective optimal evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) are a kind of new effective algorithms to solve Multi-objective optimal problem (MOP). Because ranking, a method which is used by most MOEAs to solve MOP, has some shortcoming s, in this paper, we proposed a new method using tree structure to express the relationship of solutions. Experiments prove that the method can reach the Pare-to front, retain the diversity of the population, and use less time.

A Survey of Evolutionary Algorithms for Multi-Objective Optimization Problems With Irregular Pareto Fronts

Evolutionary algorithms have been shown to be very successful in solving multi-objective optimization problems(MOPs).However,their performance often deteriorates when solving MOPs with irregular Pareto fronts.To remedy this issue,a large body of research has been performed in recent years and many new algorithms have been proposed.This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the research on MOPs with irregular Pareto fronts.We start with a brief introduction to the basic concepts,followed by a summary of the benchmark test problems with irregular problems,an analysis of the causes of the irregularity,and real-world optimization problems with irregular Pareto fronts.Then,a taxonomy of the existing methodologies for handling irregular problems is given and representative algorithms are reviewed with a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses.Finally,open challenges are pointed out and a few promising future directions are suggested.

Multi-objective optimization based optimal setting control for industrial double-stream alumina digestion process

The operation variables,including feed rate of ore slurry,caustic solution and live steams in the double-stream alumina digestion process,determine the product quality,process costs and the environment pollution.Previously,they were set by the technical workers according to the offline analysis results and an empirical formula,which leads to unstable process indices and high consumption frequently.So,a multi-objective optimization model is built to maintain the balance between resource consumptions and process indices by taking technical indices and energy efficiency as objectives,where the key technical indices are predicted based on the digestion kinetics of diaspore.A multi-objective state transition algorithm(MOSTA)is improved to solve the problem,in which a self-adaptive strategy is applied to dynamically adjust the operator factors of the MOSTA and dynamic infeasible threshold is used to handle constraints to enhance searching efficiency and ability of the algorithm.Then a rule based strategy is designed to make the final decision from the Pareto frontiers.The method is integrated into an optimal control system for the industrial digestion process and tested in the actual production.Results show that the proposed method can achieve the technical target while reducing the energy consumption.

An Evolutionary Algorithm Based on a New Decomposition Scheme for Nonlinear Bilevel Programming Problems

In this paper, we focus on a class of nonlinear bilevel programming problems where the follower’s objective is a function of the linear expression of all variables, and the follower’s constraint functions are convex with respect to the follower’s variables. First, based on the features of the follower’s problem, we give a new decomposition scheme by which the follower’s optimal solution can be obtained easily. Then, to solve efficiently this class of problems by using evolutionary algorithm, novel evolutionary operators are designed by considering the best individuals and the diversity of individuals in the populations. Finally, based on these techniques, a new evolutionary algorithm is proposed. The numerical results on 20 test problems illustrate that the proposed algorithm is efficient and stable.

Evolutionary Multi/Many-Objective Optimisation via Bilevel Decomposition

Decomposition of a complex multi-objective optimisation problem(MOP)to multiple simple subMOPs,known as M2M for short,is an effective approach to multi-objective optimisation.However,M2M facilitates little communication/collaboration between subMOPs,which limits its use in complex optimisation scenarios.This paper extends the M2M framework to develop a unified algorithm for both multi-objective and manyobjective optimisation.Through bilevel decomposition,an MOP is divided into multiple subMOPs at upper level,each of which is further divided into a number of single-objective subproblems at lower level.Neighbouring subMOPs are allowed to share some subproblems so that the knowledge gained from solving one subMOP can be transferred to another,and eventually to all the subMOPs.The bilevel decomposition is readily combined with some new mating selection and population update strategies,leading to a high-performance algorithm that competes effectively against a number of state-of-the-arts studied in this paper for both multiand many-objective optimisation.Parameter analysis and component analysis have been also carried out to further justify the proposed algorithm.

Even Search in a Promising Region for Constrained Multi-Objective Optimization

In recent years, a large number of approaches to constrained multi-objective optimization problems(CMOPs) have been proposed, focusing on developing tweaked strategies and techniques for handling constraints. However, an overly finetuned strategy or technique might overfit some problem types,resulting in a lack of versatility. In this article, we propose a generic search strategy that performs an even search in a promising region. The promising region, determined by obtained feasible non-dominated solutions, possesses two general properties.First, the constrained Pareto front(CPF) is included in the promising region. Second, as the number of feasible solutions increases or the convergence performance(i.e., approximation to the CPF) of these solutions improves, the promising region shrinks. Then we develop a new strategy named even search,which utilizes the non-dominated solutions to accelerate convergence and escape from local optima, and the feasible solutions under a constraint relaxation condition to exploit and detect feasible regions. Finally, a diversity measure is adopted to make sure that the individuals in the population evenly cover the valuable areas in the promising region. Experimental results on 45 instances from four benchmark test suites and 14 real-world CMOPs have demonstrated that searching evenly in the promising region can achieve competitive performance and excellent versatility compared to 11 most state-of-the-art methods tailored for CMOPs.

Constrained Multi-Objective Optimization With Deep Reinforcement Learning Assisted Operator Selection

Solving constrained multi-objective optimization problems with evolutionary algorithms has attracted considerable attention.Various constrained multi-objective optimization evolutionary algorithms(CMOEAs)have been developed with the use of different algorithmic strategies,evolutionary operators,and constraint-handling techniques.The performance of CMOEAs may be heavily dependent on the operators used,however,it is usually difficult to select suitable operators for the problem at hand.Hence,improving operator selection is promising and necessary for CMOEAs.This work proposes an online operator selection framework assisted by Deep Reinforcement Learning.The dynamics of the population,including convergence,diversity,and feasibility,are regarded as the state;the candidate operators are considered as actions;and the improvement of the population state is treated as the reward.By using a Q-network to learn a policy to estimate the Q-values of all actions,the proposed approach can adaptively select an operator that maximizes the improvement of the population according to the current state and thereby improve the algorithmic performance.The framework is embedded into four popular CMOEAs and assessed on 42 benchmark problems.The experimental results reveal that the proposed Deep Reinforcement Learning-assisted operator selection significantly improves the performance of these CMOEAs and the resulting algorithm obtains better versatility compared to nine state-of-the-art CMOEAs.

An improved multi-objective optimization algorithm for solving flexible job shop scheduling problem with variable batches

In order to solve the flexible job shop scheduling problem with variable batches,we propose an improved multiobjective optimization algorithm,which combines the idea of inverse scheduling.First,a flexible job shop problem with the variable batches scheduling model is formulated.Second,we propose a batch optimization algorithm with inverse scheduling in which the batch size is adjusted by the dynamic feedback batch adjusting method.Moreover,in order to increase the diversity of the population,two methods are developed.One is the threshold to control the neighborhood updating,and the other is the dynamic clustering algorithm to update the population.Finally,a group of experiments are carried out.The results show that the improved multi-objective optimization algorithm can ensure the diversity of Pareto solutions effectively,and has effective performance in solving the flexible job shop scheduling problem with variable batches.

Optimal setting and placement of FACTS devices using strength Pareto multi-objective evolutionary algorithm

This work proposes a novel approach for multi-type optimal placement of flexible AC transmission system(FACTS) devices so as to optimize multi-objective voltage stability problem. The current study discusses a way for locating and setting of thyristor controlled series capacitor(TCSC) and static var compensator(SVC) using the multi-objective optimization approach named strength pareto multi-objective evolutionary algorithm(SPMOEA). Maximization of the static voltage stability margin(SVSM) and minimizations of real power losses(RPL) and load voltage deviation(LVD) are taken as the goals or three objective functions, when optimally locating multi-type FACTS devices. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed approach has been validated by the simulation results of the IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems. The proposed approach is compared with non-dominated sorting particle swarm optimization(NSPSO) algorithm. This comparison confirms the usefulness of the multi-objective proposed technique that makes it promising for determination of combinatorial problems of FACTS devices location and setting in large scale power systems.

A Rule Based Evolutionary Optimization Approach for the Traveling Salesman Problem

The traveling salesman problem has long been regarded as a challenging application for existing optimization methods as well as a benchmark application for the development of new optimization methods. As with many existing algorithms, a traditional genetic algorithm will have limited success with this problem class, particularly as the problem size increases. A rule based genetic algorithm is proposed and demonstrated on sets of traveling salesman problems of increasing size. The solution character as well as the solution efficiency is compared against a simulated annealing technique as well as a standard genetic algorithm. The rule based genetic algorithm is shown to provide superior performance for all problem sizes considered. Furthermore, a post optimal analysis provides insight into which rules were successfully applied during the solution process which allows for rule modification to further enhance performance.

Solving material distribution routing problem in mixed manufacturing systems with a hybrid multi-objective evolutionary algorithm

The material distribution routing problem in the manufacturing system is a complex combinatorial optimization problem and its main task is to deliver materials to the working stations with low cost and high efficiency. A multi-objective model was presented for the material distribution routing problem in mixed manufacturing systems, and it was solved by a hybrid multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (HMOEA). The characteristics of the HMOEA are as follows: 1) A route pool is employed to preserve the best routes for the population initiation; 2) A specialized best?worst route crossover (BWRC) mode is designed to perform the crossover operators for selecting the best route from Chromosomes 1 to exchange with the worst one in Chromosomes 2, so that the better genes are inherited to the offspring; 3) A route swap mode is used to perform the mutation for improving the convergence speed and preserving the better gene; 4) Local heuristics search methods are applied in this algorithm. Computational study of a practical case shows that the proposed algorithm can decrease the total travel distance by 51.66%, enhance the average vehicle load rate by 37.85%, cut down 15 routes and reduce a deliver vehicle. The convergence speed of HMOEA is faster than that of famous NSGA-II.

Zoning Search With Adaptive Resource Allocating Method for Balanced and Imbalanced Multimodal Multi-Objective Optimization

Maintaining population diversity is an important task in the multimodal multi-objective optimization.Although the zoning search(ZS)can improve the diversity in the decision space,assigning the same computational costs to each search subspace may be wasteful when computational resources are limited,especially on imbalanced problems.To alleviate the above-mentioned issue,a zoning search with adaptive resource allocating(ZS-ARA)method is proposed in the current study.In the proposed ZS-ARA,the entire search space is divided into many subspaces to preserve the diversity in the decision space and to reduce the problem complexity.Moreover,the computational resources can be automatically allocated among all the subspaces.The ZS-ARA is compared with seven algorithms on two different types of multimodal multi-objective problems(MMOPs),namely,balanced and imbalanced MMOPs.The results indicate that,similarly to the ZS,the ZS-ARA achieves high performance with the balanced MMOPs.Also,it can greatly assist a“regular”algorithm in improving its performance on the imbalanced MMOPs,and is capable of allocating the limited computational resources dynamically.

Handling Multiple Objectives with Biogeography-based Optimization

Biogeography-based optimization （BBO） is a new evolutionary optimization method inspired by biogeography. In this paper, BBO is extended to a multi-objective optimization, and a biogeography-based multi-objective optimization （BBMO） is introduced, which uses the cluster attribute of islands to naturally decompose the problem. The proposed algorithm makes use of nondominated sorting approach to improve the convergence ability efficiently. It also combines the crowding distance to guarantee the diversity of Pareto optimal solutions. We compare the BBMO with two representative state-of-the-art evolutionary multi-objective optimization methods, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II （NSGA-II） and archive-based micro genetic algorithm （AMGA） in terms of three metrics. Simulation results indicate that in most cases, the proposed BBMO is able to find much better spread of solutions and converge faster to true Pareto optimal fronts than NSGA-II and AMGA do.

Multi-objective optimization for draft scheduling of hot strip mill

A multi-objective optimization model for draft scheduling of hot strip mill was presented, rolling power minimizing, rolling force ratio distribution and good strip shape as the objective functions. A multi-objective differential evolution algorithm based on decomposition （MODE/D）. The two-objective and three-objective optimization experiments were performed respectively to demonstrate the optimal solutions of trade-off. The simulation results show that MODE/D can obtain a good Pareto-optimal front, which suggests a series of alternative solutions to draft scheduling. The extreme Pareto solutions are found feasible and the centres of the Pareto fronts give a good compromise. The conflict exists between each two ones of three objectives. The final optimal solution is selected from the Pareto-optimal front by the importance of objectives, and it can achieve a better performance in all objective dimensions than the empirical solutions. Finally, the practical application cases confirm the feasibility of the multi-objective approach, and the optimal solutions can gain a better rolling stability than the empirical solutions, and strip flatness decreases from （0± 63） IU to （0±45） IU in industrial production.