Optimized neural network-based state-of-the-art soft computing models for the bearing capacity of strip footings subjected to inclined loading

Determining the bearing capacity of a strip footing under inclined loading is crucial in designing foundations. Due to the complex correlations, the subject area remains predominantly unexplored, or it has been simulated using only limited datasets. This paper presents the development of a prediction model based on machine learning (ML), leveraging advanced hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) models for estimating the bearing capacity of strip footings under inclined loading. The ANN models are hybridized with four different optimization algorithms, ant colony optimization (ACO), artificial lion optimization (ALO), the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA), and shuffled complex evolution (SCE), which enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the predictive capabilities of ANN. The models are trained on a dataset of 920 records, and their performance is evaluated using a range of significant performance metrics. The ANN-ICA model achieved the highest rank in the score analysis (R2 =0.912, RMSE=0.165 in testing), followed by ANN-ALO and ANN-ACO. To reinforce the trustworthiness of the predictions, external validation is employed, and visual analysis is conducted using the Taylor diagram. The findings suggest that the proposed models are robust, and the incorporation of optimization techniques has improved the performance of traditional ANNs. The research findings have significant implications for the field of geotechnical engineering, providing engineers and researchers with valuable insights into the applicability of hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) models and alternative machine learning (ML)-based prediction models in assessing the bearing capacity of strip footings.