Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GEORGIA (GEOtechnical deRisk by Genetic Inverse Analysis)
Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2024-10-31
Mainly funded by taxpayers' money, the construction industry has a poor track record in terms of sustainability, efficiency and safety, which are in many cases linked to the lack of understanding of ground behavior. Construction industry is responsible for 11% of global carbon emissions from construction embodied carbon, 9 out of 10 projects experience cost overruns (average: +45% of project cost) and 60,000 fatal accidents occur in the construction site every year. Geotechnical uncertainty translates to over-designs, unforeseen events, and impacts overall safety.
GEORGIA responds to the opportunity to revolutionise the Capital Infrastructure and Large Building Projects market by introducing and consolidating the concept of interactive design. GEORGIA will enhance the development and commercialization of DAARWIN as the pioneer end-to-end (planning-design-execution-maintenance) digital platform based on machine-learning algorithms that assesses, manages and analyses ground information and data (historic and real-time) to address the ground uncertainty problem and reduce carbon footprint, cost overruns and increase safety of construction projects.
SAALG brings to the market DAARWIN, commercialized as a SaaS for Capital Infrastructure and Large Building projects and, for the first time, promotes a more sustainable, efficient and safer construction industry.
GEORGIA responds to the opportunity to revolutionise the Capital Infrastructure and Large Building Projects market by introducing and consolidating the concept of interactive design. GEORGIA will enhance the development and commercialization of DAARWIN as the pioneer end-to-end (planning-design-execution-maintenance) digital platform based on machine-learning algorithms that assesses, manages and analyses ground information and data (historic and real-time) to address the ground uncertainty problem and reduce carbon footprint, cost overruns and increase safety of construction projects.
SAALG brings to the market DAARWIN, commercialized as a SaaS for Capital Infrastructure and Large Building projects and, for the first time, promotes a more sustainable, efficient and safer construction industry.
Since the constitution of SAALG on July 2016, and specially since being awarded with EIC funds through the EIC ACCELERATOR Program in 2022, SAALG has performed many activities and achieved outstanding goals to make construction a more sustainable, efficient, and safer industry.
Here are described the activities performed and the main achievements of GEORGIA Project:
Activities
- Development of a cloud-based platform with Parallel High-Performance-Computing Architecture to predict the real ground behavior based on machine learning algorithms and combining numerical models with monitoring data (backanalysis methodology).
- Development of a fully integrated GRound Information System (GRIS) to create ground models based on open and private historical information.
Achievements
- A fully operative version of DAARWIN platform to predict the ground behavior with the following specs:
o Cloud-Native system
o System with Parallel High-Performance-Computing Architecture
o Compatible with the latest version of the commercial geotechnical software Plaxis.
o Automatic data acquisition
o Automatic Parametrical analysis functionality (sensitivity analysis)
o Automatic Numerical Models Calibration functionality (backanalysis)
- A fully operative version of the GRound Information System (GRIS) integrated in DAARWIN with the following specs:
o Compatible with public and private historical information
o More than 6 million boreholes uploaded in DAARWIN from historical projects.
o Multiple boreholes definition sources: Manual, AGS, and Digitalization of PDFs
o Automatic digitalization system based on Artificial Intelligence and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
o Automatic parameters recommendations.
o Automatic cross-sections generation.
Here are described the activities performed and the main achievements of GEORGIA Project:
Activities
- Development of a cloud-based platform with Parallel High-Performance-Computing Architecture to predict the real ground behavior based on machine learning algorithms and combining numerical models with monitoring data (backanalysis methodology).
- Development of a fully integrated GRound Information System (GRIS) to create ground models based on open and private historical information.
Achievements
- A fully operative version of DAARWIN platform to predict the ground behavior with the following specs:
o Cloud-Native system
o System with Parallel High-Performance-Computing Architecture
o Compatible with the latest version of the commercial geotechnical software Plaxis.
o Automatic data acquisition
o Automatic Parametrical analysis functionality (sensitivity analysis)
o Automatic Numerical Models Calibration functionality (backanalysis)
- A fully operative version of the GRound Information System (GRIS) integrated in DAARWIN with the following specs:
o Compatible with public and private historical information
o More than 6 million boreholes uploaded in DAARWIN from historical projects.
o Multiple boreholes definition sources: Manual, AGS, and Digitalization of PDFs
o Automatic digitalization system based on Artificial Intelligence and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
o Automatic parameters recommendations.
o Automatic cross-sections generation.
Results and Potential Impacts
- Sensitivity and Backanalysis
o Results: The implementation of a scalable High-Performance Cloud Computing (HPCC) architecture has enabled efficient sensitivity and back-analysis through a master/slave scheme. This allows for parallel Finite Element (FE) analyses with adaptive genetic algorithms,
significantly reducing computational time and improving optimization processes.
o Potential Impacts: The capability to perform rapid sensitivity analyses and back-analyses fosters more accurate and robust geotechnical design, leading to more sustainable, efficient, and safer construction projects.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Further research to refine algorithms for better accuracy and efficiency.
- Demonstrations to showcase the benefits in diverse geotechnical scenarios.
- GRound Information System (GRIS)
o Results: Development of a unified repository integrating geo-referenced ground data from multiple sources into a universal format. GRIS enhances accessibility and usability of ground and geotechnical information throughout project lifecycles.
o Potential Impacts: GRIS provides a standardized approach to managing geotechnical data, streamlining construction processes, and enabling informed decision-making. This fosters efficiency and cost savings in construction projects.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Continued enhancement of data integration capabilities.
- Partnerships with public and private entities for broader data access.
- Standardization efforts to ensure widespread adoption.
- Pilot Projects
o Results: Successful integration of DAARWIN platform, demonstrating scalability and operational readiness in a real-world pilot project. DAARWIN provides a comprehensive digital solution tailored to the construction industry.
o Potential Impacts: DAARWIN addresses the needs of all stakeholders in the construction value chain, facilitating digital transformation and enhancing sustainability, efficiency, and safety within the construction industry.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Further feedback-driven development to refine user experience
- Commercialization
o Results: Validation of the direct sales channel and marketplace strategies, identification of unique use cases, and development of a robust commercialization plan. Enhanced visibility among reputational stakeholders and knowledge protection strategies were also
established.
o Potential Impacts: Improved market readiness of the DAARWIN platform, leading to faster adoption and broader industry recognition.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Continuous validation of business models in new market segments.
- Increased internationalization efforts to expand beyond Europe.
These results collectively position the DAARWIN platform and associated technologies as transformative solutions for the geotechnical and construction industries. The next steps involve scaling, further standardization, international outreach, and sustained innovation to maximize impact.
- Sensitivity and Backanalysis
o Results: The implementation of a scalable High-Performance Cloud Computing (HPCC) architecture has enabled efficient sensitivity and back-analysis through a master/slave scheme. This allows for parallel Finite Element (FE) analyses with adaptive genetic algorithms,
significantly reducing computational time and improving optimization processes.
o Potential Impacts: The capability to perform rapid sensitivity analyses and back-analyses fosters more accurate and robust geotechnical design, leading to more sustainable, efficient, and safer construction projects.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Further research to refine algorithms for better accuracy and efficiency.
- Demonstrations to showcase the benefits in diverse geotechnical scenarios.
- GRound Information System (GRIS)
o Results: Development of a unified repository integrating geo-referenced ground data from multiple sources into a universal format. GRIS enhances accessibility and usability of ground and geotechnical information throughout project lifecycles.
o Potential Impacts: GRIS provides a standardized approach to managing geotechnical data, streamlining construction processes, and enabling informed decision-making. This fosters efficiency and cost savings in construction projects.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Continued enhancement of data integration capabilities.
- Partnerships with public and private entities for broader data access.
- Standardization efforts to ensure widespread adoption.
- Pilot Projects
o Results: Successful integration of DAARWIN platform, demonstrating scalability and operational readiness in a real-world pilot project. DAARWIN provides a comprehensive digital solution tailored to the construction industry.
o Potential Impacts: DAARWIN addresses the needs of all stakeholders in the construction value chain, facilitating digital transformation and enhancing sustainability, efficiency, and safety within the construction industry.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Further feedback-driven development to refine user experience
- Commercialization
o Results: Validation of the direct sales channel and marketplace strategies, identification of unique use cases, and development of a robust commercialization plan. Enhanced visibility among reputational stakeholders and knowledge protection strategies were also
established.
o Potential Impacts: Improved market readiness of the DAARWIN platform, leading to faster adoption and broader industry recognition.
o Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Continuous validation of business models in new market segments.
- Increased internationalization efforts to expand beyond Europe.
These results collectively position the DAARWIN platform and associated technologies as transformative solutions for the geotechnical and construction industries. The next steps involve scaling, further standardization, international outreach, and sustained innovation to maximize impact.