A smarter approach to liquefaction risk: harnessing dynamic cone penetration test data and machine learning for safer infrastructure

This paper presents a novel approach for assessing liquefaction potential by integrating Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT) data with advanced machine learning (ML) techniques. DCPT offers a cost-effective, rapid, and adaptable method for evaluating soil resistance, making it suitable for liquefaction assessment across diverse soil conditions. This study establishes a threshold criterion based on the ratio of the penetration rate to the dynamic resistance (e/q_d), where values exceeding four indicate high liquefaction susceptibility. ML models, including Support Vector Machine (SVM) optimized with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Firefly Algorithm (FA), were employed to predict the e/q_d ratio using key geotechnical parameters, such as fine content, peak ground acceleration, reduction factor, and penetration rate. The SVM-PSO model demonstrated superior performance, with high R² values of 0.999 and 0.989 in the training and testing phases, respectively. The proposed methodology offers a sustainable and accurate approach for liquefaction assessment, reducing the environmental impact of geotechnical investigations, while ensuring reliable predictions. This study bridges the gap between field testing and advanced computational techniques, providing a powerful tool for geotechnical engineers to assess liquefaction risks and design resilient infrastructures.