A Comparative Study between BPNN and RNN on the Settlement Prediction during Soft Ground Embankment

연약지반상의 성토시 침하예측에 대한 BPNN과 RNN의 비교 연구

Various difficult problems occur due to insufficient bearing capacity or excessive settlements when constructing roads or large complexes. Accurate predictions on the final settlement and consolidation time can help in choosing the ground improvement method and thus enables to save time and expense of the whole project. Asaoka's method is probably the most frequently used for settlement prediction which are based on Terzaghi's one dimensional consolidation theory. Empirical formulae such as Hyperbolic method and Hoshino's method are also often used. However, it is known that the settlement predicted by these methods do not match with the actual settlements. Furthermore these methods cannot be used at design stage when there is no measured data. To find an elaborate method in predicting settlement in embankments using various test results and actual settlement data from domestic sites, Back-Propagation Neural Network(BPNN) and Recurrent Neural Network(RNN) were employed and the most suitable model structures were obtained. Predicted settlement values by the developed models were compared with the measured values as well as numerical analysis results. Analysis of the results showed that RNN yielded more compatible predictions with actual data than BPNN and predictions using cone penetration resistance were closer to actual data than predictions using SPT results. Also, it was found that the developed method were very competitive with the numerical analysis considering the number of input data, complexity and effort in modelling. It is believed that RNN using cone penetration test results can make a highly efficient tool in predicting settlements if enough field data can be obtained.