Estimation of slope stability using ensemble-based hybrid machine learning approaches

Abstract

Mining is one of the most daunting occupations gain the sector since it entails risk at any point in the operation. In its operation, the main focus is on slope stability. To avoid slope failures, work should be performed in line with both the regulations and the safety criteria. Slope stability is essential in mining activities owing to slope failure putting productivity and safety at risk. Prediction of slope failure is difficult because of the complexity of traditional engineering techniques. Through study, recent technologies have helped mining companies predict slope problems quickly and effectively. In this current research, an ensemble of machine learning intelligence algorithms was used to estimate and assess the Factor of Safety (FOS). In Ostapal Chromicte Mine, India, 79 experimental and failure slope occurrences were tracked to gather in-the-moment field data. The available data were split into training and testing sets at random to build algorithms. The five influenced factors such as the unit weight, the friction angle, the cohesiveness, the mining depth, as well as the slope angle used as input variables to estimate the FOS. Selected machine learning techniques such as Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Decision Tree, Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and ensemble hybrid model combining eXtreme Gradient Boosting and Random Forest (XGBoost-RF) were developed to evaluate the FOS. The validity and efficiency of created models can be evaluated using standard evaluation parameters such as coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean absolute deviation (MAD). The most precise model to assess the FOS across all models was discovered to be the XGBOOST-RF ensemble model, which had a high R2 of 0.931, MSE of 0.009, NRMSE of 0.069, MAD of 0.037, MAPE of 3.581 and an RMSE of 0.098.