Natural Computing for Simulation-based Optimization and beyond

This SpringerBrief bridges the gap between the areas of simulation studies on the one hand, and optimization with natural computing on the other. Since natural computing methods have been applied with great success in several application areas, a review concerning potential benefits and pitfalls for simulation studies is merited. The brief presents such an overview and combines it with an introduction to natural computing and selected major approaches, as well as with a concise treatment of general simulation-based optimization. As such, it is the first review which covers both the methodological background and recent application cases. The brief is intended to serve two purposes: First, it can be used to gain more information concerning natural computing, its major dialects, and their usage for simulation studies. It also covers the areas of multi-objective optimization and neuroevolution. While the latter is only seldom mentioned in connection with simulation studies, it is a powerful potential technique. Second, the reader is provided with an overview of several areas of simulation-based optimization which range from logistic problems to engineering tasks. Additionally, the brief focuses on the usage of surrogate and meta-models. The brief presents recent application examples. Preface......Page 3 Contents......Page 5 1.1 Natural Computing & Simulation......Page 6 1.2 Simulation-based Optimization......Page 8 From Task to Optimization......Page 11 Brief Classification of Simulation-based Optimization......Page 12 Refs......Page 13 2.1 Evolutionary Algorithms......Page 14 Genetic Algorithms......Page 17 Evolution Strategies......Page 19 Differential Evolution......Page 21 Genetic Programming......Page 22 Ant Colony Optimization......Page 23 Particle Swarm Optimization......Page 24 2.3 Neuroevolution......Page 26 2.4 Natural Computing & Multi-Objective Optimization......Page 27 Refs......Page 32 3.1 Using Natural Computing......Page 36 3.2 Simulation-based Optimization......Page 38 3.3 Surrogate assisted Evolution......Page 44 3.4 Evolutionary Data Farming......Page 48 3.5 Soft Simulations......Page 51 Refs......Page 55 4 Conclusions......Page 63