Engineering Design Optimization Using a Hybrid PSO and HS Algorithm

In this paper, a new hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Harmony Search (HS) algorithm, denoted by PSOHS is presented. This hybrid algorithm is designed to improve the efficiency of the PSO and remove some of the disadvantages which reduce the capability of the PSO. The main problem of the PSO is the lack of balance between exploration and exploitation of the algorithm. Another problem is how to handle the violating particles from feasible search space without reduction in the performance of the algorithm. The problem of unbalanced exploration and exploitation is solved using linear varying inertia weight. The second problem is solved in some other algorithms via reproduction of the violating particles using the HS algorithm. In this paper, these two approaches are combined to achieve a more efficient algorithm for engineering design problems. To show the higher capability of this approach compared to other works, several benchmark engineering examples, which have been considered previously and solved utilizing a variety of optimization algorithms, is solved by the present hybrid algorithm. Results illustrate a desirable performance of the PSOHS in both obtaining lower weight and having a higher convergence rate.