Adaptive Harmony Search for Cost Optimization of Reinforced Concrete Columns

The performance of metaheuristic algorithms used in engineering optimization is evaluated via the robustness of the method. To make a better algorithm for specific problems, investigations have to be continued by applying methods to new problems. In the present study, adaptive harmony search (AHS) that automatically updates the algorithm parameters is presented for optimum cost design of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. The results were compared with the approach that constant parameters within the optimization process. Results proved that AHS is not greatly affected by the choice of initial algorithm parameters. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.