A genetic algorithm-based search space splitting pattern and its application in hydraulic and coastal engineering problems

Abstract

This article reports a search space splitting pattern that can be applied to genetic algorithms in order to ensure that the entire search space is investigated. Hence, by keeping the genetic algorithm simple, in a reasonable time and with a high degree of accuracy, the initial solutions can be improved toward the global optimum point. The simplicity of the presented method is an advantage that makes it useful for applied hydraulic and coastal engineering problems. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated by a benchmark optimization problem, Levy No. 5, and three hydraulic and coastal engineering problems: inverse problem of Manning's equation, the equation of equilibrium beach profiles, and the settling velocity equation of natural sediment particles. The results indicated that the nonlinear complex problems can be solved by the proposed method with a high degree of accuracy. The proposed genetic algorithm-based search space splitting pattern can either be used exclusively or alternatively it can be combined with improved operators in the literature.