Prediction of Essential Soil Parameters using Fuzzy Inference System (FIS)

The nature of the complexity of soil due to geologic processes leads to its
utmost unpredictability. This unpredictability and variability of soil has long
been the problem of geotechnical engineers which demands more
complicated methodologies in determining its properties. Geotechnical
engineers have relied on idealized laboratory tests and rigorous
mathematical equations to quantify essential soil parameters for foundation
design. Most methods assume linearity and extreme effort is required for
data input and handling. Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is a powerful tool that
handles non-linear relationships among variables. FIS relies on expert
knowledge and historical data to infer the behaviour of a non-linear model.
This study aims to investigate the potential of FIS in the field of geotechnical
engineering for providing efficient and accurate output. Data gathered from
geotechnical companies and government agencies will be partitioned, one
portion will be analyzed using Finite Element Method (FEM) and will then be
used for fuzzy model calibration, and the other portion will be used for model
simulation. With the aid of MATLAB, a software used to analyze data sets into
model systems, FIS will be applied to predict the bearing capacity of soil from
two input parameterscohesion and friction angle.