Investigating the Applications of Machine Learning Techniques to Predict the Rock Brittleness Index

Predictive analysis of concrete slump using a stochastic search-consolidated neural network

Attaining a dependable measurement of concrete slump is crucial as it is a valuable indication of concrete workability. On the other hand, complexities associated with costly traditional approaches have driven engineers to use indirect efficient models such as metaheuristic-based machine learning for approximating the slump. While the literature shows promising application of some metaheuristic techniques for this purpose, the large variety of these algorithms calls for evaluating the most capable ones to keep the solution updated. Stochastic fractal search (SFS) is one of the most powerful optimization algorithms in the literature that has not received appropriate attention in analyzing concrete mechanical parameters. In the present research, a multi-layer perceptron neural network (NN-MLP), is enhanced using the SFS. The proposed SFS-NN-MLP model aims to predict the slump based on the amount of ingredients in the mixture, as well as the curing age of specimens. Accuracy assessment revealed that the proposed model can deal with the assigned task with excellent accuracy. It indicates that the SFS could properly tune the parameters required for training the NN-MLP, and consequently, the trained network could reliably calculate the slump of specimens that were not analyzed before. For comparative validation, the SFS was replaced with two similar optimizers, namely elephant herding optimization algorithm (EHO) and slime mould algorithm (SMA). Based on the calculated mean square errors of 5.6526, 6.1129, and 7.3561 along with mean absolute errors of 4.6657, 5.0078, and 6.3066, as well as the percentage-Pearson correlation coefficients of 78.06 %, 73.95 %, and 58.11 %, respectively for the SFS-NN-MLP, EHO-NN-MLP, and SMA-NN-MLP, it was shown that the SFS-NN-MLP is the most accurate predictor. Hereupon, the SFS-NN-MLP model is recommended to be effectively used for obtaining a cost-efficient approximation of concrete slump in real-world projects.

A Deep Learning Method for the Prediction of the Index Mechanical Properties and Strength Parameters of Marlstone

The index mechanical properties, strength, and stiffness parameters of rock materials (i.e., uniaxial compressive strength, c, ϕ, E, and G) are critical factors in the proper geotechnical design of rock structures. Direct procedures such as field surveys, sampling, and testing are used to estimate these properties, and are time-consuming and costly. Indirect methods have gained popularity in recent years due to their time-saving and highly accurate results, which are comparable to those obtained through direct approaches. This study presents a procedure for establishing a deep learning-based predictive model (DNN) for obtaining the geomechanical characteristics of marlstone samples that have been recovered from the South Pars region of southwest Iran. The model was implemented on a dataset resulting from the execution of numerous geotechnical tests and the evaluation of the geotechnical parameters of a total of 120 samples. The applied model was verified by using benchmark learning classifiers (e.g., Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, Gaussian Naïve Bayes, Multilayer Perceptron, Bernoulli Naïve Bayes, and Decision Tree), Loss Function, MAE, MSE, RMSE, and R-square. According to the results, the proposed DNN-based model led to the highest accuracy (0.95), precision (0.97), and the lowest error rate (MAE = 0.13, MSE = 0.11, and RMSE = 0.17). Moreover, in terms of R², the model was able to accurately predict the geotechnical indices (0.933 for UCS, 0.925 for E, 0.941 for G, 0.954 for c, and 0.921 for φ).

Predicting Rock Brittleness Using a Robust Evolutionary Programming Paradigm and Regression-Based Feature Selection Model

Brittleness plays an important role in assessing the stability of the surrounding rock mass in deep underground projects. To this end, the present study deals with developing a robust evolutionary programming paradigm known as linear genetic programming (LGP) for estimating the brittleness index (BI). In addition, the bootstrap aggregate (Bagged) regression tree (BRT) and two efficient lazy machine learning approaches, namely local weighted linear regression (LWLR) and KStar approach, were examined to validate the LGP model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to estimate the BI through the LGP model. A tunneling project in Pahang state, Malaysia, was investigated, and the requirement datasets were measured to construct the proposed models. According to the results from the testing phase, the LGP model yielded the best statistical indicators (R = 0.9529, RMSE = 0.4838, and IA = 0.9744) for modeling BI, followed by LWLR (R = 0.9490, RMSE = 0.6607, and IA = 0.9400), BRT (R = 0.9433, RMSE = 0.6875, and IA = 0.9324), and KStar (R = 0.9310, RMSE = 0.7933, and IA = 0.9095), respectively. In addition, the sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the dry density factor demonstrated the most effective prediction of BI.

Intelligent Classification of Surrounding Rock of Tunnel Based on 10 Machine Learning Algorithms

The quality evaluation of the surrounding rock is the cornerstone of tunnel design and construction. Previous studies have confirmed the existence of a relationship between drilling parameters and the quality of surrounding rock. The application of drilling parameters to the intelligent classification of surrounding rock has the natural advantages of automatic information collection, real-time analysis, and no extra work. In this work, we attempt to establish the intelligent surrounding rock classification model and software system driven by drilling parameters. We collected 912 samples containing four drilling parameters (penetration velocity, hammer pressure, rotation pressure, and feed pressure) and three surrounding rock (grade-III, grade-IV, and grade-V). Based on the python machine learning toolkit (Scikit-learn), 10 types of supervised machine learning algorithms were used to train the intelligent surrounding rock classification model with the model parameter selection technology of grid search cross validation. The results show that the average accuracy is 0.82, which proves the feasibility of this method. Finally, the tunnel surrounding rock intelligent classification system was established based on three models with better comprehensive performance among them. The classification accuracy of the system was 0.87 in the tunnel test section, which indicates that the system has good generalization performance and practical value.

Rock Strain Prediction Using Deep Neural Network and Hybrid Models of ANFIS and Meta-Heuristic Optimization Algorithms

The majority of natural ground vibrations are caused by the release of strain energy accumulated in the rock strata. The strain reacts to the formation of crack patterns and rock stratum failure. Rock strain prediction is one of the significant works for the assessment of the failure of rock material. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of a new strain prediction approach in rock samples utilizing deep neural network (DNN) and hybrid ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) models. Four optimization algorithms, namely particle swarm optimization (PSO), Fireflies algorithm (FF), genetic algorithm (GA), and grey wolf optimizer (GWO), were used to optimize the learning parameters of ANFIS and ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-FF, ANFIS-GA, and ANFIS-GWO were constructed. For this purpose, the necessary datasets were obtained from an experimental setup of an unconfined compression test of rocks in lateral and longitudinal directions. Various statistical parameters were used to investigate the accuracy of the proposed prediction models. In addition, rank analysis was performed to select the most robust model for accurate rock sample prediction. Based on the experimental results, the constructed DNN is very potential to be a new alternative to assist engineers to estimate the rock strain in the design phase of many engineering projects.

Prediction of the Bilinear Stress-Strain Curve of Aluminum Alloys Using Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

Aluminum alloys are among the most widely used materials in demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive or food packaging and, therefore, it is essential to predict the behavior and properties of each component. Tools based on artificial intelligence can be used to face this complex problem. In this work, a computer-aided tool is developed to predict relevant mechanical properties of aluminum alloys—Young’s modulus, yield stress, ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break. These predictions are based on the alloy chemical composition and tempers, and are employed to estimate the bilinear approximation of the stress-strain curve, very useful as a decision tool that helps in the selection of materials. The system is based on the use of artificial neural networks supported by a big data collection about technological characteristics of thousands of commercial materials. Thus, the volume of data exceeds 5 k entries. Once the relevant data have been retrieved, filtered and organized, an artificial neural network is defined and, after the training, the system is able to make predictions about the material properties with an average confidence greater than 95 % . Finally, the trained network is employed to show how it can be used to support decisions about engineering applications.

Computational Hybrid Machine Learning Based Prediction of Shear Capacity for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beams

Understanding shear behavior is crucial for the design of reinforced concrete beams and sustainability in construction and civil engineering. Although numerous studies have been proposed, predicting such behavior still needs further improvement. This study proposes a soft-computing tool to predict the ultimate shear capacities (USCs) of concrete beams reinforced with steel fiber, one of the most important factors in structural design. Two hybrid machine learning (ML) algorithms were created that combine neural networks (NNs) with two distinct optimization techniques (i.e., the Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm (RCGA) and the Firefly Algorithm (FFA)): the NN-RCGA and the NN-FFA. A database of 463 experimental data was gathered from reliable literature for the development of the models. After the construction, validation, and selection of the best model based on common statistical criteria, a comparison with the empirical equations available in the literature was carried out. Further, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the importance of 16 inputs and reveal the dependency of structural parameters on the USC. The results showed that the NN-RCGA (R = 0.9771) was better than the NN-FFA and other analytical models (R = 0.5274–0.9075). The sensitivity analysis results showed that web width, effective depth, and a clear depth ratio were the most important parameters in modeling the shear capacity of steel fiber-reinforced concrete beams.