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Intelligent Engineering Optimisation with the Bees Algorithm

  • 2025
  • Book

About this book

This book presents new and advanced results and developments related to the Bees Algorithm, along with its application to a wide range of engineering problems.

Modern complex processes and systems are difficult to optimise using conventional mathematical tools as they require models that often cannot be obtained with accuracy or certainty. Optimising such systems demands efficient, model-free optimisation tools.

The Bees Algorithm, a swarm-based technique inspired by the foraging behaviour of honeybees, is an ideal tool for tackling challenging optimisation problems. The algorithm is conceptually elegant and extremely easy to apply. All it needs to solve an optimisation problem is a means to evaluate the quality of potential solutions.

While the covered applications belong to diverse engineering fields, this book’s focus is on advanced manufacturing and industrial engineering. The book comprises two parts. The first part explores different enhancements made to the original Bees Algorithm to improve its performance.

The second part delves into the algorithm's applications in design, manufacturing, production, ergonomics, logistics, transportation, and electrical and electronic engineering.

By showcasing the variety of optimisation tasks successfully handled using the Bees Algorithm, the book aims to inspire and motivate engineers and researchers worldwide to adopt the algorithm as a powerful and versatile tool for conquering complex engineering problems in the Industry 4.0 era and beyond.

Table of Contents

  1. Frontmatter

  2. Bees Algorithm Development

    1. Frontmatter

    2. Enhanced Bees Algorithm Implementing Early Neighbourhood Search with Efficiency-Based Recruitment

      Michael S. Packianather, Azar Imanguliyev, D. T. Pham
      The chapter focuses on enhancing the Bees Algorithm, a stochastic optimisation technique inspired by honey bee foraging behaviour. It introduces early neighbourhood scanning to start the search from more promising locations and efficiency-based recruitment to dynamically allocate bees based on site efficiency. These improvements aim to enhance the algorithm's performance, particularly in high-dimensional problems. The chapter also provides a detailed overview of the Bees Algorithm, its working mechanisms, and the computational modelling of honey bee foraging behaviour. By implementing these strategies, the enhanced Bees Algorithm seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the optimisation process.
    3. Improving the Bees Algorithm Using Gradual Search Space Reduction

      Turki Albakr, D. T. Pham
      The chapter delves into the challenges faced by the Bees Algorithm, a swarm intelligence-based optimization technique, including slow convergence and local optima traps. It introduces a gradual search space reduction method inspired by region elimination techniques, adapting it for multi-optima problems. The method systematically reduces the search space to enhance the algorithm's efficiency and convergence rate. The proposed approach is evaluated using 24 benchmark functions, demonstrating its effectiveness compared to the basic Bees Algorithm and other well-known optimization algorithms like PSO and ABC. The results highlight improvements in solution accuracy, success rate, and the number of function evaluations, making the chapter a valuable resource for optimization specialists and researchers.
    4. Local Optimal Issue in Bees Algorithm: Markov Chain Analysis and Integration with Dynamic Particle Swarm Optimisation Algorithm

      JianBang Liu, Mei Choo Ang, Kok Weng Ng, Jun Kit Chaw
      The chapter delves into the behaviour of bee colonies as a model for optimisation problems, focusing on the Bees Algorithm (BA) inspired by bee foraging. It discusses the limitations of BA, particularly the local optimal issue, and introduces Markov Chain analysis to understand the algorithm's convergence properties. The integration of Dynamic Particle Swarm Optimisation with BA is presented as a solution to enhance the algorithm's ability to escape local optima while maintaining convergence performance. The chapter also explores strategies such as neighbourhood contraction and site abandonment to improve BA's performance, making it a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field of optimisation algorithms.
    5. Development of the Bees Algorithm Toolkit for Optimisation in LabVIEW

      Murat Sahin, D. T. Pham
      The chapter introduces the Bees Algorithm (BA), inspired by honey bees' foraging behavior, and its implementation in LabVIEW for optimization purposes. It covers the local search mechanism of BA, the development of a LabVIEW toolkit for continuous and combinatorial problems, and experimental results demonstrating the toolkit's effectiveness. The toolkit enables users to define new functions and perform optimizations efficiently, showcasing its competitiveness with other metaheuristic algorithms.
  3. Engineering Applications of the Bees Algorithm

    1. Frontmatter

    2. Geometrical Optimisation of Smart Sandwich Plates Using the Bees Algorithm

      Nguyen Dinh Duc, Tran Quoc Quan
      This chapter delves into the geometrical optimization of smart sandwich plates using the Bees Algorithm, focusing on two primary types: magneto–electro–elastic plates with auxetic honeycomb cores and piezoelectric plates with porous homogeneous cores and carbon nanotube-reinforced nanocomposite layers. The study introduces a new model for these smart materials, deriving analytical expressions for natural frequency and critical buckling load. The Bees Algorithm is employed to determine optimal geometrical and material parameters, resulting in significant improvements in structural performance. The chapter presents detailed numerical results and convergence analyses, highlighting the effectiveness of the Bees Algorithm in maximizing critical buckling load and natural frequency. The findings provide valuable guidelines for engineers and designers in the development and application of smart materials in various industries.
    3. Integrating the Bees Algorithm with WSAR for Search Direction Determination and Application to Constrained Design Optimisation Problems

      Adil Baykasoglu, Mumin Emre Senol
      This chapter delves into the integration of the Bees Algorithm (BA) and the Weighted Superposition Attraction-Repulsion (WSAR) algorithm to enhance the search direction determination mechanism of BA. The hybrid approach, termed hBA, leverages the superposition principles of WSAR to guide the search process of BA, resulting in improved performance for constrained design optimization problems. The chapter provides a detailed overview of both BA and WSAR, explaining their mechanisms and applications in various engineering problems. The computational study demonstrates the superior performance of hBA compared to other metaheuristic algorithms, including the basic BA, on four benchmark engineering design problems. The results highlight the potential of hybridization in metaheuristics to achieve better optimization outcomes.
    4. Bees Algorithm-Based Optimisation of Welding Sequence to Minimise Distortion of Thin-Walled Square Al–Mg-Si Alloy Tubes

      Chunbiao Wu, Chao Wang
      The chapter focuses on the optimisation of welding sequences to minimise distortion in thin-walled square Al–Mg–Si alloy tubes using the Bees Algorithm (BA). It begins by highlighting the importance of welding sequence optimisation (WSO) in reducing residual stresses and distortions caused by welding processes. The study introduces the BA, which is inspired by the foraging behaviour of honeybees, as a more efficient alternative to traditional genetic algorithms. The BA is employed to search for optimal welding sequences that minimise distortion, and the results are validated through experimental measurements and finite element analysis. The chapter also discusses the development of an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict welding distortions accurately, further enhancing the efficiency of the optimisation process. The comparative study demonstrates that the BA-based optimisation framework significantly improves computational accuracy and efficiency, making it a valuable tool for practical engineering applications.
    5. Hybrid Genetic Bees Algorithm (GBA) for Continuous and Combinatorial Optimisation Problems

      Tran Duc Vi, Vu Hoai Anh Thu, Truong Tran Mai Anh, Nguyen Dao My Vy
      The chapter introduces the Hybrid Genetic Bees Algorithm (GBA), which combines the Bees Algorithm with genetic algorithms to improve optimization performance. The GBA is applied to continuous optimization problems like training multilayer perceptrons and to combinatorial problems such as the Two-Stage Flow Shop Scheduling Problem (TFSSP) and the Just-In-Time Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JITJSSP). The algorithm's effectiveness is demonstrated through experimental results, showing improved accuracy and lower error rates compared to other methods. The chapter also discusses the advantages of the GBA, including its ability to optimize high variance in random global searches and its strong exploration and exploitation capabilities.
    6. Optimisation of Surface Roughness in 3D Printing Using the Bees Algorithm

      Shafie Kamaruddin, Arman Hilmi Ridzuan, Nor Aiman Sukindar
      The chapter delves into the optimization of surface roughness in 3D printing, specifically focusing on the use of the Bees Algorithm as an innovative optimization technique. It begins by introducing the concept of additive manufacturing and its advantages over traditional subtractive methods. The Bees Algorithm, inspired by the foraging behavior of honeybees, is then detailed, highlighting its potential for optimizing 3D printing parameters. The study outlines the methodology, including parameter initialization and the implementation of the Bees Algorithm using R Software. Experimental setups and results are presented, showcasing the algorithm's effectiveness in finding optimal parameter combinations for minimizing surface roughness. The chapter concludes by comparing the Bees Algorithm's performance with other optimization methods, demonstrating its accuracy and potential for industrial applications. The findings suggest that the Bees Algorithm offers a promising alternative for improving the quality of 3D printed products and reducing manufacturing costs.
    7. The Bees Algorithm for Robotics-Enabled Collaborative Manufacturing

      Wenjun Xu, Hang Yang, Zhenrui Ji, Zhihao Liu, Jiayi Liu
      The chapter delves into the application of the Bees Algorithm (BA) in robotics-enabled collaborative manufacturing, highlighting its use in solving complex optimisation problems. It covers robotic collaborative manufacturing (RC-Mfg) and human–robot collaborative manufacturing (HRC-Mfg), addressing issues such as multirobot manufacturing optimisation, decision-making in HRC-Mfg, and robotics-related manufacturing service reconfigurations. The framework proposed includes cross-layer optimisation methods and task sequence planning for HRC-Mfg, with case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of BA in improving manufacturing efficiency and optimising task sequences. The chapter also discusses the future potential of combining BA with deep learning and reinforcement learning to tackle more complex problems in this field.
    8. Bees Algorithm for Hyperparameter Search with Deep Learning to Estimate the Remaining Useful Life of Ball Bearings

      Anurakt Kumar, Satyam Kumar, Neha Gupta, Nathinee Theinnoi, D. T. Pham
      The chapter explores the use of the Bees Algorithm (BA 2) for hyperparameter search in deep learning models to estimate the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of ball bearings. It highlights the importance of predictive maintenance in manufacturing and the challenges associated with RUL prediction. The authors propose a combination of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM) to analyze vibration signals from bearings and predict their RUL. The Bees Algorithm is employed to optimize the hyperparameters of these deep learning models, enhancing their performance and accuracy. The study compares the results with the IEEE PHM 2012 Prognostic challenge, demonstrating significant improvements in RUL prediction. This approach offers a promising solution for predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and maintenance costs in industrial settings.
    9. Bees Local Phase Quantisation Feature Selection for RGB-D Facial Expression Recognition

      Seyed Muhammad Hossein Mousavi, Atiye Ilanloo
      The chapter delves into the challenging task of facial expression recognition, highlighting the importance of accurate feature selection. It introduces the Bees Algorithm as a novel approach for this task, which is compared with other methods such as PCA, Lasso, and PSO. The use of Local Phase Quantisation (LPQ) features and the Kinect sensor for depth data collection is detailed, showcasing the potential of bioinspired algorithms in improving recognition accuracy. The chapter also includes a comprehensive validation section, presenting results and comparisons that underscore the effectiveness of the Bees Algorithm in this domain.
    10. Optimisation of Convolutional Neural Network Parameters Using the Bees Algorithm

      Michael S. Packianather, Nawaf Mohammad H. Alamri
      The chapter delves into the optimization of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) parameters using the Bees Algorithm (BA), highlighting the challenges in CNN training such as overfitting and the exploding gradient problem. It introduces hybrid algorithms like BA-BO-CNN and BA-CNN, which combine Bayesian Optimization and BA to optimize CNN hyperparameters and weight learning rates. The chapter presents a thorough literature review and discusses the impact of integrating nature-inspired algorithms with DL networks. Experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithms in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency, making this chapter a valuable resource for professionals seeking to enhance CNN topology and performance.
    11. Ergonomic Risk Assessment Combining the Bees Algorithm and Simulation Tools

      Abhijeet Singh, Mario Caterino, Marta Rinaldi, Marcello Fera, Roberto Macchiaroli, D. T. Pham
      This chapter introduces a novel methodology combining the Bees Algorithm with simulation tools to assess and minimize ergonomic risks for heterogeneous workers in manufacturing and production lines. The study addresses the limitations of traditional observational methods by leveraging digital twins and simulation software to evaluate ergonomic risk factors objectively and efficiently. The Bees Algorithm is proposed as a powerful optimization tool to determine optimal job rotation strategies, ensuring minimal ergonomic scores for workers. The chapter validates the effectiveness of the Bees Algorithm through a case study, comparing its results with exact solutions obtained by enumeration. This approach promises to revolutionize ergonomic risk assessment, offering a more accurate and time-efficient solution for designing safe and productive work environments.
    12. A Knowledge Transfer-Based Bees Algorithm for Expert Team Formation Problem in Internet Company

      Yanjie Song, Yangyang Guo, Jiting Li, Jian Wu, Qinwen Yang, Yingwu Chen
      The chapter addresses the complex team formation problem in Internet companies, where selecting the right experts is crucial for project success. It introduces a 0-1 programming model to minimize communication costs while meeting skill requirements. The bees algorithm, enhanced with a knowledge transfer mechanism, effectively explores the solution space and improves global search efficiency. The algorithm's performance is validated through extensive experiments, demonstrating its superiority over traditional methods. The chapter also highlights the impact of subpopulation size on algorithm performance, providing insights for practical applications in large-scale projects.
    13. Green Vehicle Routing Optimisation Using the Bees Algorithm

      Aryan Satpathy, Millon Madhur Das, Natalia Hartono, D. T. Pham
      The chapter delves into the critical issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, with a focus on the Green Vehicle Routing Problem (GVRP). It introduces the Bees Algorithm as a novel approach to optimise vehicle routes, incorporating alternative fueling stations to ensure vehicles do not run out of fuel. The authors propose two local search operators, permuteAFS and removeAFS, to enhance the Bees Algorithm's efficiency in solving GVRP. The chapter provides a comprehensive literature review, outlines the methodology and research steps, presents and discusses the results, and concludes with recommendations for further research. This work is significant as it offers a practical solution to the complex problem of reducing emissions in the transportation sector, contributing to the global effort to reach net zero by 2050.
    14. Utilising the Bees Algorithm for UAV Path Planning—A Simultaneous Collision Avoidance and Shortest Path Approach

      Anubhab Dasgupta, Satyam Kumar, Aaditri Vaibhav, Asrul Harun Ismail
      The chapter delves into the use of the Bees Algorithm (BA) for autonomous UAV path planning, specifically focusing on avoiding collisions and finding the shortest path. It begins by introducing the relevance of UAVs in various tasks and the challenges posed by combinatorial optimization problems. The Bees Algorithm is chosen for its effectiveness in solving such problems, with a particular focus on the BA 2 version developed by the authors. The chapter then outlines the problem formulation, including the UAV model, obstacles, and the cost function that balances fuel consumption and collision avoidance. The methodology section describes the implementation of BA 2 for UAV collision avoidance, comparing it with other metaheuristic algorithms. The results and analysis showcase the superior performance of BA 2 in terms of best cost, mean cost, and computational efficiency. Additionally, the chapter proposes a logarithmic distribution for recruitment, further enhancing the algorithm's performance. The conclusion highlights the potential for future work, including extending the study to 3D environments and multiple UAVs. This chapter offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the Bees Algorithm's application in UAV path planning, making it a valuable resource for professionals in the field.
    15. A Tabu-Based Bees Algorithm for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Maritime Search and Rescue Path Planning

      Yangyang Guo, Yanjie Song, Jiting Li, Junwei Ou, Lining Xing, Yue Zhang
      The chapter introduces a Tabu-based bees algorithm (TBBA) for optimizing UAV maritime search and rescue path planning, addressing the challenges of large-scale scenarios and complex constraints. The mathematical model developed for the UAV maritime search and rescue path planning (SARPP) problem aims to minimize overall execution time and balance task allocation among search and rescue centers. The TBBA algorithm incorporates a Tabu search strategy to prevent repeated searches and improve optimization efficiency. Simulation experiments demonstrate that TBBA outperforms genetic algorithms and neighborhood search algorithms in solving large-scale problems, highlighting its potential for practical applications in maritime search and rescue operations.
    16. Pedestrian-Aware Cyber-Physical Optimisation of Hybrid Propulsion Systems Using a Fuzzy Adaptive Cost Map and Bees Algorithm

      Ji Li, Mingming Liu, Chongming Wang, Yingqi Gu, Quan Zhou, Chengqing Wen, D. T. Pham, Hongming Xu
      The chapter discusses the pressing issue of environmental pollution caused by transportation and introduces a pedestrian-aware cyber-physical optimisation technique for hybrid propulsion systems. It combines the Bees Algorithm with a fuzzy adaptive cost map to optimise power-split control parameters based on real-time pedestrian density data. The approach aims to reduce vehicle emissions and pollutants' impact on pedestrians, offering a novel solution in the field of automotive engineering. The method is evaluated through real-world driving cycles and compared with other optimisation algorithms, demonstrating superior performance and robustness. The chapter also explores the impact of communication quality on the system's performance, highlighting the importance of signal quality in distributed control systems for connected and automated vehicles.
    17. Surrogate Model-Assisted Bees Algorithm for Global Optimisation of Microwave Filters

      Feiying Lan, Lu Qian, Marco Castellani, Yi Wang, D. T. Pham, Yongjing Wang
      The chapter delves into the critical role of microwave filters in modern wireless communication systems and the challenges faced in their design due to multimodal and time-consuming optimization processes. It introduces the surrogate model-assisted Bees Algorithm, which leverages Gaussian process regression to prescreen promising candidate solutions, thereby reducing the need for expensive full-wave electromagnetic simulations. The method is compared to standard optimization techniques on benchmark functions and a case study on a microwave dielectric filter, demonstrating its superior performance and efficiency. The chapter also provides a detailed methodology, including the introduction of the Bees Algorithm and Gaussian process regression, and discusses related work in the field of surrogate model-assisted optimization.
  4. Backmatter

Title
Intelligent Engineering Optimisation with the Bees Algorithm
Editors
D. T. Pham
Natalia Hartono
Copyright Year
2025
Electronic ISBN
978-3-031-64936-3
Print ISBN
978-3-031-64935-6
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-64936-3

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