Parameter estimation of the nonlinear muskingum flood-routing model using a hybrid harmony search algorithm

Abstract

In this paper, a hybrid harmony search (HS) algorithm is proposed for the parameter estimation of the nonlinear Muskingum model. The BFGS algorithm is used as local search algorithm with a low probability for accelerating the HS algorithm. In the proposed technique, an indirect penalty function approach is imposed on the model to prevent negativity of outflows and storages. The proposed algorithm finds the global or near-global minimum regardless of the initial parameter values with fast convergence. The proposed algorithm found the best solution among 12 different methods. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can be applied confidently to estimate optimal parameter values of the nonlinear Muskingum model. Moreover, this hybrid methodology may be applicable to any continuous engineering optimization problems. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.