An improved Coati Optimization Algorithm with multiple strategies for engineering design optimization problems

Abstract Aiming at the problems of insufficient ability of artificial COA in the late optimization search period, loss of population diversity, easy to fall into local extreme value, resulting in slow convergence and lack of exploration ability; In this paper, an improved COA algorithm based on chaotic sequence, nonlinear inertia weight, adaptive T-distribution variation strategy and alert updating strategy is proposed to enhance the performance of COA (shorted as TNTWCOA). The algorithm introduces chaotic sequence mechanism to initialize the position. The position distribution of the initial solution is more uniform, the high quality initial solution is generated, the population richness is increased, and the problem of poor quality and uneven initial solution of the Coati Optimization Algorithm is solved. In exploration phase, the nonlinear inertial weight factor is introduced to coordinate the local optimization ability and global search ability of the algorithm. In the exploitation phase, adaptive T-distribution variation is introduced to increase the diversity of individual population under low fitness value and improve the ability of the algorithm to jump out of the local optimal value. At the same time, the alert update mechanism is proposed to improve the alert ability of COA algorithm, so that it can search within the optional range. When Coati is aware of the danger, Coati on the edge of the population will quickly move to the safe area to obtain a better position, while Coati in the middle of the population will randomly move to get closer to other Coatis. IEEE CEC2017 with 29 classic test functions were used to evaluate the convergence speed, convergence accuracy and other indicators of TNTWCOA algorithm. Meanwhile, TNTWCOA was used to verify 4 engineering design optimization problems, such as pressure vessel optimization design and welding beam design. The results of IEEE CEC2017 and engineering design Optimization problems are compared with Improved Coati Optimization Algorithm (ICOA), Coati Optimization Algorithm (COA), Golden Jackal Optimization Algorithm (GJO), Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA), Sand Cat Swarm Optimization Algorithm (SCSO), Subtraction-Average-Based Optimizer (SABO). The experimental results show that the improved TNTWCOA algorithm significantly improves the convergence speed and optimization accuracy, and has good robustness. Three‑bar truss design problem, The Gear Train Design Problem, Speed reducer design problem shows a strong solution advantage. The superior optimization ability and engineering practicability of TNTWCOA algorithm are verified.