An Expert Tool Based on Algorithmic Design of Experiments in Forensic Geotechnical Engineering: Decoding Settlement Induced by Longitudinal Excavation

Longitudinal excavations in congested urban environments inevitably alter the initial stress state and strain fields of adjacent soil massifs. This geotechnical disturbance triggers ground movements that present significant risks to nearby superficial infrastructure, buried utility networks, and historical structural foundations. In the context of forensic geotechnical engineering, identifying the precise causal mechanisms of excavation-induced ground deformation requires back-analyzing complex, interdependent design and environmental variables. Traditional failure investigations often rely on deterministic empirical methods or isolated back-analysis via individual numerical models. However, these conventional approaches struggle to isolate individual structural or geotechnical triggers when multiple confounding factors occur simultaneously. To resolve these analytical limitations, this research introduces an advanced Expert Tool built upon an Algorithmic Design of Experiments (DoE) framework. By standardizing numerical datasets through algorithmic optimization, this approach establishes a systematic, unbiased framework for forensic analysis. This paper focuses specifically on decoding longitudinal excavation profiles where spatial variations in soil stratigraphy, retaining wall stiffness, and dewatering sequences compound the complexity of structural diagnostics. by Dr Mohamed Fayez Elnagar, PhD Applicant