Abstract This work proposed a new metaheuristic dubbed as Chaotic Lévy flight distribution (CLFD) algorithm, to address physical world engineering optimization problems that incorporate the chaotic maps in the elementary Lévy flight distribution (LFD). Hybridization aims to increase the LFD rate of convergence while also providing a problem‐free optimization approach. The proposed methodology is investigated for five case studies of constrained optimization issues followed by shape optimization of structural design. The outcomes from the CFLD algorithm are further contrasted with its fundamental version and other distinguished recently introduced algorithms. The computational analysis illustrates the dominance of CLFD over other considered optimizers. Moreover, the present investigation shows that CLFD is a robust technique that can efficiently find optimal mechanical design problems with a proper chaotic map selection.

Abstract Structural design and optimization are important topics for the control and design of industrial robots. The motivation behind this research is to design a robot gripper mechanism. To explore robust design of the robot gripper mechanism, a new optimization approach based on a grasshopper optimization algorithm and Nelder–Mead algorithm is developed for requiring a fast and accurate solution. Additionally, a vehicle side crash design problem, a multi‐clutch disc problem, and a manufacturing optimization problem are solved with the developed method to show the advantages of the new technique (HGOANM). Both engineering comparisons and production problem results in which HGOANM is applied are compared with the latest optimization techniques in the literature. The results of the problems resolved in this article reveal that the developed HGOANM is an essential optimization approach by solving real‐world engineering problems quickly and accurately.

Abstract Offshore jacket platforms are widely used for oil and gas extraction as well as transportation in shallow to moderate water depth. Tubular cross‐sectional elements are used to construct offshore platforms. Tubular cross sections impart higher resistance against hydrodynamic forces and have high torsional rigidity. During operation, the members can be partially or fully damaged due to lateral impacts. The lateral impacts can be due to ship collisions or through the impact of falling objects. The impact forces can weaken some members that influence the overall performance of the platform. This demonstrates an urgent need to develop a framework that can accurately forecast dent depth as well as dent angle of the affected members. This study investigates the use of an adaptive metaheuristics algorithm to provide automatic detection of denting damage in an offshore structure. The damage information includes dent depth and the dent angle. A model is developed in combination with the percentage of the dent depth of the damaged member and is used to assess the performance of the method. It demonstrates that small changes in stiffness of individual damaged bracing members are detectable from measurements of global structural motion.

This paper is concerned with vibration suppression of a walking tractor handlebar structure using multiobjective population-based incremental learning (PBIL). Two bi-objective optimisation problems are assigned aiming at vibration alleviation as well as structural mass reduction. Design variables are structural shape and sizing parameters whereas the objective functions include structural weight, natural frequencies, and frequency response function. The problems are posed to minimise the objectives whilst meeting structural safety requirement. The PBIL multiobjective optimiser is detailed and implemented to solve the optimization problems. The optimum results obtained are compared, illustrated and discussed. It is shown that a simple but effective passive vibration control of a handlebar structure can be achieved through the implementation of the proposed multiobjective PBIL.