Abstract
This study proposes a novel design to systematically optimize the parameters for the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model using stochastic fractal search (SFS) algorithm. To affirm the efficiency of the proposed SFS-ANFIS model, the predicting results were compared with ANFIS and three hybrid methodologies based on ANFIS combined with genetic algorithm (GA), differential evolution (DE), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Accurate prediction of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is of great significance for all geotechnical projects such as tunnels and dams. Hence, this study proposes the use of SFS-ANFIS, GA-ANFIS, DE-ANFIS, PSO-ANFIS, and ANFIS models to predict UCS. In this regard, the fresh water tunnel of Pahang-Selangor located in Malaysia was considered and the requirement data samples were collected. Different statistical metrics such as coefficient of determination (R-2) and mean absolute error were used to evaluate the models. Referring to the efficiency results of SFS-ANFIS, it can be found that the SFS-ANFIS (with the R-2 of 0.981) has higher ability than PSO-ANFIS, DE-ANFIS, GA-ANFIS, and ANFIS models in predicting the UCS.