LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems

The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is a bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm known for its simple structure and ease of implementation. However, WOA suffers from issues such as premature convergence, low population diversity in the later stages of iteration, slow convergence rate, low convergenc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Junhao Wei, Yanzhao Gu, Yuzheng Yan, Zikun Li, Baili Lu, Shirou Pan, Ngai Cheong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2054
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850213192177811456
author Junhao Wei
Yanzhao Gu
Yuzheng Yan
Zikun Li
Baili Lu
Shirou Pan
Ngai Cheong
author_facet Junhao Wei
Yanzhao Gu
Yuzheng Yan
Zikun Li
Baili Lu
Shirou Pan
Ngai Cheong
author_sort Junhao Wei
collection DOAJ
description The Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is a bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm known for its simple structure and ease of implementation. However, WOA suffers from issues such as premature convergence, low population diversity in the later stages of iteration, slow convergence rate, low convergence accuracy, and an imbalance between exploration and exploitation. In this paper, we proposed an enhanced whale optimization algorithm with multi-strategy (LSEWOA). LSEWOA employs Good Nodes Set Initialization to generate uniformly distributed whale individuals, a newly designed Leader-Followers Search-for-Prey Strategy, a Spiral-based Encircling Prey strategy inspired by the concept of Spiral flight, and an Enhanced Spiral Updating Strategy. Additionally, we redesigned the update mechanism for convergence factor <i>a</i> to better balance exploration and exploitation. The effectiveness of the proposed LSEWOA was evaluated using CEC2005, and the impact of each improvement strategy was analyzed. We also performed a quantitative analysis of LSEWOA and compare it with other state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms in 30/50/100 dimensions. Finally, we applied LSEWOA to nine engineering design optimization problems to verify its capability in solving real-world optimization challenges. Experimental results demonstrate that LSEWOA outperformed better than other algorithms and successfully addressed the shortcomings of the classic WOA.
format Article
id doaj-art-0914c76d5b7d4b089d570a2a5708e36a
institution OA Journals
issn 1424-8220
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Sensors
spelling doaj-art-0914c76d5b7d4b089d570a2a5708e36a2025-08-20T02:09:11ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01257205410.3390/s25072054LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization ProblemsJunhao Wei0Yanzhao Gu1Yuzheng Yan2Zikun Li3Baili Lu4Shirou Pan5Ngai Cheong6Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao 999078, ChinaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao 999078, ChinaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao 999078, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, ChinaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao 999078, ChinaThe Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is a bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm known for its simple structure and ease of implementation. However, WOA suffers from issues such as premature convergence, low population diversity in the later stages of iteration, slow convergence rate, low convergence accuracy, and an imbalance between exploration and exploitation. In this paper, we proposed an enhanced whale optimization algorithm with multi-strategy (LSEWOA). LSEWOA employs Good Nodes Set Initialization to generate uniformly distributed whale individuals, a newly designed Leader-Followers Search-for-Prey Strategy, a Spiral-based Encircling Prey strategy inspired by the concept of Spiral flight, and an Enhanced Spiral Updating Strategy. Additionally, we redesigned the update mechanism for convergence factor <i>a</i> to better balance exploration and exploitation. The effectiveness of the proposed LSEWOA was evaluated using CEC2005, and the impact of each improvement strategy was analyzed. We also performed a quantitative analysis of LSEWOA and compare it with other state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms in 30/50/100 dimensions. Finally, we applied LSEWOA to nine engineering design optimization problems to verify its capability in solving real-world optimization challenges. Experimental results demonstrate that LSEWOA outperformed better than other algorithms and successfully addressed the shortcomings of the classic WOA.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2054WOASpiral flightTangent flightengineering designinertia weightnumerical optimization
spellingShingle Junhao Wei
Yanzhao Gu
Yuzheng Yan
Zikun Li
Baili Lu
Shirou Pan
Ngai Cheong
LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems
Sensors
WOA
Spiral flight
Tangent flight
engineering design
inertia weight
numerical optimization
title LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems
title_full LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems
title_fullStr LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems
title_full_unstemmed LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems
title_short LSEWOA: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Numerical and Engineering Design Optimization Problems
title_sort lsewoa an enhanced whale optimization algorithm with multi strategy for numerical and engineering design optimization problems
topic WOA
Spiral flight
Tangent flight
engineering design
inertia weight
numerical optimization
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2054
work_keys_str_mv AT junhaowei lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems
AT yanzhaogu lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems
AT yuzhengyan lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems
AT zikunli lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems
AT baililu lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems
AT shiroupan lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems
AT ngaicheong lsewoaanenhancedwhaleoptimizationalgorithmwithmultistrategyfornumericalandengineeringdesignoptimizationproblems