A hybrid of firefly and biogeography-based optimization algorithms for optimal design of steel frames

Abstract

The principle purpose of the current study is to hybridize firefly algorithm (FA) as a nature-inspired meta-heuristic developed based on the flashing patterns and biogeography-based optimization (BBO) to present a qualified algorithm in the case of optimization of steel frame (SF) structures. In the proposed meta-heuristic algorithm, FA works as a global search engine while BBO achieves the local search task. The proposed algorithm is termed as a firefly algorithm–biogeography-based optimization (FA–BBO). FA–BBO algorithm was employed for the optimization of benchmark SF problems for the validity in the case of a new algorithm. The numerical outputs demonstrate that the new FA–BBO algorithm presents a better computational performance in the comparison of the current algorithms.