Mean bed shear stress estimation in a rough rectangular channel using a hybrid genetic algorithm based on an artificial neural network and genetic programming

The determination of erosion and deposition patterns in channels requires detailed knowledge and estimations of the bed shear stress. In this investigation, the application of a Genetic Algorithm based Artificial (GAA) neural network and genetic programming (GP) for predicting bed shear stress in a rectangular channel with rough boundaries. Several input combinations, fitness functions and transfer functions were investigated to determine the best GAA model. Also the effect of various GP operators on estimating bed shear stress was studied. The comparison between the GAA and GP technique abilities in predicting bed shear stress were investigated. The results revealed that the GAA model performs better in predicting the bed shear stress (RMSE = 0.0774), as compared to the GP model (RMSE = 0.0835).