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An extreme learning machine approach for slope stability evaluation and prediction

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Abstract

This paper presents slope stability evaluation and prediction with the approach of a fast robust neural network named the extreme learning machine (ELM). The circular failure mechanism of a slope is formulated based on its material, geometrical and environmental parameters such as the unit weight, the cohesion, the internal friction angle, the slope inclination, slope height and the pore water ratio. The ELM is proposed to evaluate the stability of slopes subjected to potential circular failures by means of prediction of the factor of safety (FS). Substantial slope cases collected worldwide are utilized to illustrate and assess the capability and predictability of the ELM on slope stability analysis. Based on the mean absolute percentage errors and the correlation coefficients between the original and predicted FS values, comparisons are demonstrated between the ELM and the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) as well as the prediction models generated from the genetic algorithms. Moreover, sensitivity analysis of the slope parameters and the ELM model parameters is carried out based on the two utilized evaluation functions. The time expense of the ELM on slope stability analysis is also investigated. The results prove that the ELM is advantageous to the GRNN and the genetic algorithm based models in the analysis of slope stability. Hence, the ELM can be a promising technique for approaching the problems in geotechnical engineering.

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Acknowledgments

Financial supports from China Key Basic Research Program (973 Program, No. 2011CB013504) and China Natural Science Foundation (No. 11272114) are gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions for this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geotechnical Research Institute, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Zaobao Liu, Jianfu Shao & Yu Zhang

  2. Laboratory of Mechanics of Lille, University of Science and Technology of Lille, Villeneuve d’Ascq, 59655, France

    Zaobao Liu, Jianfu Shao, Weiya Xu & Hongjie Chen

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  1. Zaobao Liu
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  2. Jianfu Shao
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Correspondence to Zaobao Liu.

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Liu, Z., Shao, J., Xu, W. et al. An extreme learning machine approach for slope stability evaluation and prediction. Nat Hazards 73, 787–804 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1106-7

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