Introduction and Applications of Machine Learning in Geotechnics

• Provides a systematic overview of machine learning and optimization applications in geotechnical engineering
• Demonstrates real-world implementations for soil classification, seismic response, and structural–geotechnical interaction
• Introduces interpretable and explainable AI methods for transparent engineering decision-making
• Emphasizes sustainable and data-driven solutions through hybrid modeling and metaheuristic optimization

Prof. Zong Woo Geem works for the Department of Smart City at Gachon University in South Korea. He has obtained B.Eng. from Chung-Ang University, M.Eng. and Ph.D. from Korea University, and M.Sc. from Johns Hopkins University, and researched at Virginia Tech, University of Maryland - College Park, and Johns Hopkins University. He invented a music-inspired optimization algorithm, Harmony Search (HS), which has been applied to various scientific and engineering problems as well as social and cultural problems. His research interest includes theoretical background (e.g. novel human-experience-based derivative of HS rather than existing analytic-calculus-based derivative) and problem-specific development (e.g. problem-specific operator of HS) of phenomenon-mimicking algorithm and its applications to sustainability & culture issues.

Gebrail Bekdaş, Professor, is researcher in Mechanics at Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa. He obtained his DPhil in Structural Engineering from Istanbul University with a thesis subject of design of cylindrical walls. He was one of the guest editors in 2017 special issue of KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering. He co-chaired 6th International Conference on Harmony Search, Soft Computing and Applications (ICHSA 2020). He has authored about 500 papers for journals and scientific events.

Sinan Melih Nigdeli, Professor, is researcher in Mechanics at Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa. He obtained his DPhil in Structural Engineering from Istanbul Technical University with a thesis subject of active control. He was one of the guest editors in 2017 special issue of KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering. He co-chaired 6th International Conference on Harmony Search, Soft Computing and Applications (ICHSA 2020). He has authored about 500 papers for journals and scientific events.

Yaren Aydın is research assistant in Mechanics at Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa. Yaren Aydın is studying at İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Institute of Postgraduate Education, Department of Civil Engineering, PhD program on the subject of Artificial Intelligence-Machine Learning. In her master thesis, Ms. Yaren AYDIN applied important technical knowledge: computer programming, optimization and analysis of various types of structures. In today's world, most engineering problems are based on maximum efficiency with limited resources, leading to optimization processes that involve civil engineering knowledge and computer programming. She has also carried out various studies on artificial intelligence and machine learning in her articles and papers. There are also studies that combine optimization and artificial intelligence. She has participated in many conferences on optimization and machine learning.

Ümit Işıkdağ is currently working as a Professor of Construction Informatics at the Department of Architecture in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. He has a PhD in Construction Informatics from the University of Salford, U.K.His current research interests are in Machine and Deep Learning, Internet of Things, 3D GIS, BIM and Structural Equation Modeling. He has started teaching in 1999 and since then he has worked full and part time at (chronological order:) Ege University, Beykent University, Istanbul Kultur University, Istanbul University, Istanbul Esenyurt University, Bogazici University, Istanbul Technical University. In addition, he has worked as a senior researcher at Coventry University (2004), and the University of Central Lancashire (2013).