Dynamic Multi-Swarm Competitive Fireworks Algorithm for Global Optimization and Engineering Constraint Problems

Abstract

As a novel intelligent algorithm, fireworks algorithm (FWA) is applied to deal with different types of optimization problems. Since FWA’s search processes are relatively simple, it is inefficient. In this paper, a dynamic multi-swarm competitive fireworks algorithm (DMCFWA) is developed to enhance the search capability of FWA. Firstly, based on the scaling coefficient updated by utilizing the fitness value of the optimal firework, the dynamic explosion amplitude strategy is proposed to improve the search capability of the best firework. Secondly, utilizing the location information of the fireworks, an improved search method is designed to enhance the local search capability of firework swarms. Thirdly, a multi-swarm independent selection technique and a restart operation are adopted to boost its abilities of global exploration and local exploitation. Finally, to reduce the computational cost of FWA, a new initialization method is used and a new model for calculating the spark number is embedded in DMCFWA. By adopting these strategies, DMCFWA easily implements and does well in exploitation and exploration. CEC2017 test suite and four engineering constraint problems are used to demonstrate the performance of DMCFWA. Experimental results show that DMCFWA performs more effectively and stably than its competitors.