Mechanical design using mixed-integer memetic algorithm with Lagrange method

Memetic algorithm (MA) is a hybrid evolutionary algorithm (EA) that combines genetic operators with local search procedures. With global exploration and local exploitation in search process, the memetic algorithm can find near global solutions. On the other hand, mixed-integer hybrid differential evolution (MIHDE), as an EA-based search algorithm, has been successfully applied to many mixed-integer optimization problems. In this paper, a memetic algorithm based on MIHDE, called Memetic MIHDE, is proposed to solve mixed-integer optimization problems. Furthermore, in order to handle the constrained optimization problems, a Memetic MIHDE algorithm combined with Lagrange method is developed for solving the constrained optimization problems. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to a mechanical design optimization problem. Experimental results show that the algorithm can obtain a better optimal solution compared with some other search algorithms. This demonstrates that the Memetic MIHDE algorithm can solve mechanical design optimization problems effectively.