Spatial prediction of rockhead profile using the Gaussian process regression method

The spatial distribution of rockhead profile has a significant impact on the design and construction of geotechnical engineering structures. Limited by the economic and technical conditions, the borehole data of specific sites are often sparse, which brings great challenges to the accurate prediction of rockhead profile. In this study, a Gaussian process regression (GPR) method is used to predict the rockhead profile. Borehole data from a construction site in Hong Kong are used to evaluate the ability of the GPR method to predict rockhead profile. Besides, the influences of the amount of borehole data on the accuracy of the GPR model and the spatial prediction results of rockhead are investigated. The results indicate that the GPR model based on the square exponential and the Matérn covariance function can obtain more accurate prediction results, and the GPR model with limited borehole data can provide a reasonable prediction interval for rockhead depth. With the increase of borehole data, the generalization ability and prediction accuracy of the GPR model gradually improves. In engineering practice, the prediction accuracy and uncertainty degree of the GPR model can be used to judge whether it is necessary to continue to increase borehole data.