Predicting excavation-induced lateral displacement using improved particle swarm optimization and extreme learning machine with sparse measurements

Monitoring lateral displacement in deep excavation projects is crucial for structural stability and safety. Traditional methods, like manual inclinometers, are accurate but costly and labor-intensive. Automated systems provide real-time data but face challenges with dense sensor placement and high costs. This study presents a novel prediction method using an extreme learning machine (ELM) optimized by an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm. The IPSO-ELM approach utilizes sparse automated measurements to accurately predict lateral displacement profiles, minimizing the need for dense sensor deployment. A case study of a 30.2-m-deep excavation project in Hangzhou, China, demonstrates the method’s effectiveness. The results demonstrate that the IPSO-ELM model maintains high prediction accuracy, with low root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values, even under conditions of sparse sensor placement. Across the entire test dataset, with a sensor spacing of 5.0 m, the model achieved maximum RMSE values ranging from 0.94 to 2.79 mm and maximum MAE values ranging from 0.77 to 2.18 mm, thereby showcasing its robustness and reliability in predicting lateral displacement. A detailed discussion was conducted on the errors associated with various sensor spacing intervals when implementing the proposed method. This study underscores the potential of IPSO-ELM as a cost-effective and reliable tool for automatic monitoring in increasingly complex urban excavation projects.