Recurrent neural network long short term memory model to detect the pile toe using raw data of pile integrity test

This article proposes a novel approach to automatically generate velocity reflectogram of Pile Integrity Testing using a Recurrent Neural Network with Long Short-Term Memory (RNN-LSTM) model. Conventional Low-Strain Integrity Testing (LSIT) accuracy relies significantly on expert interpretation of reflected wave signals and entails subjectivity as well as efficiency limitations. The purpose of this study is to develop an artificial intelligence system capable of learning wave propagation behavior from acceleration inputs and generating reflectogram that capture pile toe locations correctly, thereby reducing dependence on human experience. The proposed technique eliminates human error and increases both the reliability and efficiency of the model. The strategy involved the collection of LSIT data from several of Egypt's driven piles projects, followed by systematic preprocessing which converted raw acceleration signals into digitized velocity-time series. Several RNN-LSTM networks with various hidden layers and neurons were trained and optimized against performance including measures the coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), computational expense, and visual examination of reflectogram. The proposed six-layer, 32-neuron LSTM model achieved an optimum balance between accuracy and computational expense and yielded training and validation R<sup>2</sup> of 0.9126 and 0.8778, respectively, and demonstrated satisfactory predictive generalization. Visual examinations also guaranteed the validity of the model, where "Good" predictions for toe location were up to 84% for the validation set and 89.5% for the training set, while "Fair" and "Bad" predictions had an average of only 10% and 5%, respectively. The experiments demonstrate that the RNN-LSTM model effectively mimics human-generated reflectogram with high accuracy and low mis-adoption risk. Lastly, this research describes how deep learning, namely RNN-LSTM, presents an excellent alternative to the conventional generated reflectogram, greater reliability, and reduced reliance on human experience.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-02-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-36732-7
Primary Topic
Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Recurrent neural network long short term memory model to detect the pile toe using raw data of pile integrity test

Ahmed M. Ebid M. Ebid, Reham Samaan, Abdelsalam Mokhtar, Mohamed S. A. Saafan
Scientific Reports
Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
article

Recurrent neural network long short term memory model to detect the pile toe using raw data of pile integrity test

Ahmed M. Ebid M. Ebid, Reham Samaan, Abdelsalam Mokhtar, Mohamed S. A. Saafan
article en

Abstract

This article proposes a novel approach to automatically generate velocity reflectogram of Pile Integrity Testing using a Recurrent Neural Network with Long Short-Term Memory (RNN-LSTM) model. Conventional Low-Strain Integrity Testing (LSIT) accuracy relies significantly on expert interpretation of reflected wave signals and entails subjectivity as well as efficiency limitations. The purpose of this study is to develop an artificial intelligence system capable of learning wave propagation behavior from acceleration inputs and generating reflectogram that capture pile toe locations correctly, thereby reducing dependence on human experience. The proposed technique eliminates human error and increases both the reliability and efficiency of the model. The strategy involved the collection of LSIT data from several of Egypt's driven piles projects, followed by systematic preprocessing which converted raw acceleration signals into digitized velocity-time series. Several RNN-LSTM networks with various hidden layers and neurons were trained and optimized against performance including measures the coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), computational expense, and visual examination of reflectogram. The proposed six-layer, 32-neuron LSTM model achieved an optimum balance between accuracy and computational expense and yielded training and validation R<sup>2</sup> of 0.9126 and 0.8778, respectively, and demonstrated satisfactory predictive generalization. Visual examinations also guaranteed the validity of the model, where "Good" predictions for toe location were up to 84% for the validation set and 89.5% for the training set, while "Fair" and "Bad" predictions had an average of only 10% and 5%, respectively. The experiments demonstrate that the RNN-LSTM model effectively mimics human-generated reflectogram with high accuracy and low mis-adoption risk. Lastly, this research describes how deep learning, namely RNN-LSTM, presents an excellent alternative to the conventional generated reflectogram, greater reliability, and reduced reliance on human experience.

Scientific ReportsVol. 16(1)
Ain Shams University (EG), Future University in Egypt (EG)
Science and Technology Development Fund
Openalex Percentile: Top 59%
Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
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