Mehmet Polat Saka

Bio: Mehmet Polat Saka is an academic researcher from University of Bahrain. The author has contributed to research in topics: Harmony search & Metaheuristic. The author has an hindex of 32, co-authored 84 publications receiving 3051 citations. Previous affiliations of Mehmet Polat Saka include Karadeniz Technical University & Middle East Technical University.

Adaptive Harmony Search Method for Structural Optimization

Abstract: This paper presents an adaptive harmony search algorithm for solving structural optimization problems. The harmony memory considering rate and pitch adjusting rate are conceived as the two main parameters of the technique for generating new solution vectors. In the standard implementation of the technique appropriate constant values are assigned to these parameters following a sensitivity analysis for each problem considered. The success of the optimization process is directly related on a chosen parameter value set. The adaptive harmony search algorithm proposed here incorporates a new approach for adjusting these parameters automatically during the search for the most efficient optimization process. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is numerically investigated using two large-scale steel frameworks that are designed for minimum weight according to the provisions of ASD-AISC specification. The solutions obtained are compared with those of the standard algorithm as well as of the other metaheuristic search techniques. It is shown that the proposed algorithm improves performance of the technique and it renders unnecessary the initial selection of the harmony search parameters.

Metaheuristics in structural optimization and discussions on harmony search algorithm

Abstract: Metaheuristic algorithms have provided efficient tools to engineering designers by which it became possible to determine the optimum solutions of engineering design optimization problems encountered in every day practice. Generally metaheuristics are based on metaphors that are taken from nature or some other processes. Because of their success of providing solutions to complex engineering design optimization problems the recent literature has flourished with a large number of new metaheuristics based on a variety of metaphors. Despite the fact that most of these techniques have numerically proven themselves as reliable and strong tools for solutions of design optimization problems in many different disciplines, some argue against these methods on account of not having mathematical background and making use of irrelevant and odd metaphors. However, so long as these efforts bring about computationally efficient and robust optimum structural tools for designers what type of metaphors they are based on becomes insignificant. After a brief historical review of structural optimization this article opens this issue up for discussion of the readers and attempts to answer some of the criticisms asserted in some recent publications related with the novelty of metaheuristics.