Explainable boosted combining global and local feature multivariate regression model for deformation prediction during braced deep excavations

Purpose An accurate prediction of the deformation of retaining structures is critical for ensuring the stability and safety of braced deep excavations, while the high nonlinear and complex nature of the deformation makes the prediction challenging. This paper proposes an explainable boosted combining global and local feature multivariate regression (EB-GLFMR) model with high accuracy, robustness and interpretability to predict the deformation of retaining structures during braced deep excavations. Design/methodology/approach During the model development, the time series of deformation data is decomposed using a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing technique into trend and residual terms. The trend terms are analyzed through multiple adaptive spline regressions. The residual terms are reconstructed in phase space to extract both global and local features, which are then fed into a gradient-boosting model for prediction. Findings The proposed model outperforms other established approaches in terms of accuracy and robustness, as demonstrated through analyzing two cases of braced deep excavations. Research limitations/implications The model is designed for the prediction of the deformation of deep excavations with stepped, chaotic and fluctuating features. Further research needs to be conducted to expand the model applicability to other time series deformation data. Practical implications The model provides an efficient, robust and transparent approach to predict deformation during braced deep excavations. It serves as an effective decision support tool for engineers to ensure the stability and safety of deep excavations. Originality/value The model captures the global and local features of time series deformation of retaining structures and provides explicit expressions and feature importance for deformation trends and residuals, making it an efficient and transparent approach for deformation prediction.