A Stress–Deformation Modeling Approach to Support Adaptive Geotechnical Design and Risk-Informed Decision Making

This study presents a stress–deformation modeling framework to support adaptive geotechnical design and risk-informed decision making in complex ground conditions. A Lagrangian numerical modeling approach, capable of capturing elasto-plastic behavior under large displacements and strains, was employed to simulate sequential geotechnical construction activities, including excavation, slope adjustment, and engineered fill placement. Transient pore pressure responses induced by staged construction were simulated using a fully coupled hydro-geomechanical modeling approach, calibrated through an innovative method that incorporates field-measured pore pressure data collected during construction. A methodology for calibrating soil constitutive parameters using instrumentation data is also presented. This work highlights the integration of advanced numerical modeling with field-based feedback to iteratively refine design assumptions, establish displacement and pore pressure thresholds, and inform construction strategies that support real-time monitoring, adaptive risk management, and enhanced safety in geotechnical systems.