Future of machine learning in geotechnics

Machine learning (ML) is widely used in many industries, resulting in recent interests to explore ML in geotechnical engineering. Past review papers focus mainly on ML algorithms while this paper advocates an agenda to put data at the core, to develop novel algorithms that are effective for geotechnical data (existing and new), to address the needs of current practice, to exploit new opportunities from emerging technologies or to meet new needs from digital transformation, and to take advantage of current knowledge and accumulated experience. This agenda is called data-centric geotechnics and it contains three core elements: data centricity, fit for (and transform) practice, and geotechnical context. The future of machine learning in geotechnics should be envisioned with this data first practice central agenda in mind. Data-driven site characterization (DDSC) is an active research topic in this agenda because an understanding of the ground is crucial in all projects. Examples of DDSC challenges are ugly data and explainable site recognition. Additional challenges include making ML indispensable (ML supremacy), learning how to learn (meta-learning), and becoming smart (digital twin).

Automated summary

This paper introduces the application of machine learning in geotechnical engineering and proposes a data-centric agenda for geotechnics. It highlights the importance of data-driven site characterization and identifies challenges such as ugly data and explainable site recognition.