Application of artificial intelligence to rock mechanics: An overview

Abstract

Different artificial intelligence (AI) methods have been applied to various aspects of rock mechanics, but the fact that none of these methods have been used as a standard implies that doubt as to their generality and validity still exists. For this, a literature review of application of AI to the field of rock mechanics is presented. Comprehensive studies of the researches published in the top journals relative to the fields of rock mechanics, computer applications in engineering, and the textbooks were conducted. The performances of the AI methods that have been used in rock mechanics applications were evaluated. The literature review shows that AI methods have successfully been used to solve various problems in the rock mechanics field and they performed better than the traditional empirical, mathematical or statistical methods. However, their practical applicability is still an issue of concern as many of the existing AI models require some level of expertise before they can be used, because they are not in the form of tractable mathematical equations. Thus some advanced AI methods are still yet to be explored. The limited availability of dataset for the AI simulations is also identified as a major problem. The solutions to the identified problems and the possible future research focus were proposed in the study subsequently. • The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) methods to rock mechanics were reviewed. • Rock mechanics were classified into structural rock mechanics and comminution. • The strength and weakness of the existing applications of AI to rock mechanics problem were established. • Solutions were suggested to the identified problems. • The future trends of applications of AI to rock mechanics were also identified.