A hybrid global optimization method based on multiple metamodels

Purpose This paper aims to propose hybrid global optimization based on multiple metamodels for improving the efficiency of global optimization. Design/methodology/approach The method has fully utilized the information provided by different metamodels in the optimization process. It not only imparts the expected improvement criterion of kriging into other metamodels but also intelligently selects appropriate metamodeling techniques to guide the search direction, thus making the search process very efficient. Besides, the corresponding local search strategies are also put forward to further improve the optimizing efficiency. Findings To validate the method, it is tested by several numerical benchmark problems and applied in two engineering design optimization problems. Moreover, an overall comparison between the proposed method and several other typical global optimization methods has been made. Results show that the global optimization efficiency of the proposed method is higher than that of the other methods for most situations. Originality/value The proposed method sufficiently utilizes multiple metamodels in the optimizing process. Thus, good optimizing results are obtained, showing great applicability in engineering design optimization problems which involve costly simulations.