Integrating the Fourth Industrial Revolution into Geotechnical Engineering: Transformations, Challenges, and Future Directions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2025.012Keywords
Sustainability, geotechnical education and training, reducing environmental risks, environmental safety, trends in environmental researchAbstract
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) heralds a paradigm shift in various sectors, including geotechnical engineering, by introducing advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics. This manuscript delves into the transformative impact of 4IR technologies on geotechnical engineering, highlighting the synergy between traditional practices and cutting-edge innovations. Through a comprehensive review of literature, case studies, and critical analyses, this study explores the integration of 4IR technologies in geotechnical practices, the emergence of geotechnical entrepreneurship, and the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving innovation and sustainability. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges of adopting 4IR technologies, such as data security, ethical considerations, and educational reform. It concludes with strategic recommendations for future research, development, and adopting 4IR technologies in geotechnical engineering. The scientific value of the current study is to provide stakeholders, policy makers and the academic community with information on the use of 4PR technologies for sustainable, efficient and innovative geotechnical solutions.
References
Aliu J., Oke A.E., Kineber A.F., Ebekozien A., Aigbavboa C.O., Alaboud N.S. & Daoud A.O., 2023, Towards a New Paradigm of Project Management: A Bibliometric Review. Sustainability 15(13), 9967. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139967
Alsehaimi A.O. & Sanni-Anibire M.O., 2024, "Industry 4.0 technologies: an examination of benefits, challenges and critical success factors for implementation in the Saudi construction industry". Construction Innovation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-01-2024-0001
Artero J.M., Borra C. & Gómez-Alvarez R., 2020, Education, inequality and use of digital collaborative platforms: The European case. The Economic and Labour Relations Review 31(3): 364-382. https://doi.org/10.1177/1035304620943109
Ayadat T., Ahmed D., Chowdhury S. & Asiz A., 2020, Measurable performance indicators of student learning outcomes: a case study. Global Journal of Engineering Education 22(1): 40-50.
Bohn J., Eno R., Mossop S., Mroz M., Mericle T., Pierson S., ... & Bauer S., 2022, Development of Hands-On Activities to Attract High School Students to Geotechnical Engineering Field: Work in Progress. In Geo-Congress 2022, pp. 463-471.
Chen C., Wang X., Chen H., Wu C., Mafarja M. & Turabieh H., 2021, Towards precision fertilization: Multi-strategy grey wolf optimizer based model evaluation and yield estimation. Electronics 10(18), 2183. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10182183
Clack C.D., Bakshi V.A. & Braine L., 2016, Smart contract templates: foundations, design landscape and research directions. arXiv preprint arXiv:1608.00771. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1608.00771
Cousins F., Reid P. & Tait E., 2019, "Bridging the divide: Reflections on university-industry collaboration for the development of the graduate certificate in petroleum data management". Journal of Documentation 75(6): 1213-1229. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2018-0206
Das B.M., 2021, Principles of geotechnical engineering. Cengage learning.
De Jager P., 2021, Sustainability Handbook Volume 3. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12275
Ebekozien A., Thwala W.D., Aigbavboa C.O. & Samsurijan M.S., 2023, Investigating the role of digitalisation in building collapse: stakeholders' perspective from unexplored approach. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2023-0337
Ezzat S.M., 2023, A critical review on microbially induced carbonate precipitation for soil stabilization: The global experiences and future prospective. Pedosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2023.01.011
Finn W.L., 2018, Evolution of geotechnical seismic response analysis from 1964 to 2015. Developments in Earthquake Geotechnics, pp. 25-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62069-5_2
Ghaffar S.H., Corker J. & Fan M., 2018, Additive manufacturing technology and its implementation in construction as an eco-innovative solution. Automation in construction 93: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.05.005
Ghanat S.T. & Davis W. J. & Nale, D.D. & Burke R.D., 2020, Engagement in Practice: Adopting Service Learning and Community Engagement as a High Impact Teaching Strategy in Geotechnical Engineering. Paper presented at 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual On line . 10.18260/1-2—34532
Ghanat S.T., Kaklamanos J., Walton-Macaulay C., Selvaraj S.I., Saftner D.A., Swan C. & Kunberger T., 2018 (June), Assessing the impact of educational factors on conceptual understanding of geotechnical engineering topics. In 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.
Harle S.M., 2023, Advancements and challenges in the application of artificial intelligence in civil engineering: a comprehensive review. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-023-00760-9
Hoosain M.S., Paul B.S. & Ramakrishna S., 2020, The impact of 4IR digital technologies and circular thinking on the United Nations sustainable development goals. Sustainability 12(23), 10143. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310143
Hwang B. G.,Ngo J. & Teo J.Z.K., 2022, Challenges and strategies for the adoption of smart technologies in the construction industry: The case of Singapore. Journal of Management in Engineering 38(1), 05021014. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000986
Janiszewski M., Uotinen L., Merkel J., Leveinen J. & Rinne M., 2020 (June), Virtual Reality learning environments for rock engineering, geology and mining education, [in:] ARMA US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium (pp. ARMA-2020), ARMA.
Jiang Y., Popov V., Li Y., Myers P.L., Dalrymple O. & Spencer J.A., 2021, “It’s like I’m really there”: Using VR experiences for STEM career development. Journal of Science Education and Technology 30: 877-888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-021-09926-z
Jong S.C., Ong D.E.L. & Oh E., 2021, State-of-the-art review of geotechnical-driven artificial intelligence techniques in underground soil-structure interaction. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 113, 103946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.103946
Kamaruzaman, F. M., Hamid, R., Mutalib, A. A., Rasul, M. S., Omar, M., & Zaid, M. F. A. M. (2023). Exploration and verification of fourth industrial revolution generic skills attributes for entry-level civil engineers. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 12(1), 121-130. DOI: 10.11591/ijere.v12i1.24135
Konstantakos D., 2019, The Present And Future Of Virtual and Augmented Reality In Geotechnical Engineering: This Technology Has Gone Way Beyond Gaming!. GeoStrata Magazine Archive 23(1): 46-51. https://doi.org/10.1061/geosek.0000121
Mabe K. & Bwalya K.J., 2022, Critical soft skills for information and knowledge management practitioners in the fourth industrial revolution. South African Journal of Information Management 24(1): 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v24i1.1519
Mhlanga J., Haupt T.C. & Loggia C., 2022, "Shaping circular economy in the built environment in Africa. A bibliometric analysis". Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-03-2022-0175
Nakamura R., Shibayama T., Esteban M., Iwamoto T. & Nishizaki S., 2020, Simulations of future typhoons and storm surges around Tokyo Bay using IPCC AR5 RCP 8.5 scenario in multi global climate models. Coastal Engineering Journal 62(1): 101-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/21664250.2019.1709014
Niu C., Jiang M., Li N., Cao J., Hou M., Ni D.A. & Chu Z., 2019, Integrated bioinformatics analysis of As, Au, Cd, Pb and Cu heavy metal responsive marker genes through Arabidopsis thaliana GEO datasets. PeerJ 7, e6495. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6495
Ocholla D.N. & Ocholla L., 2020, "Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to research, teaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution", Library Management, Vol. 41 No. 6/7, pp. 355-368. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2020-0067
O'Kane M., 2016, The ingredients to be a great state of innovation. AQ-Australian Quarterly 87(2): 10-17.
Oke A.E., Kineber A.F., Olanrewaju O.I., Omole O., Jamir Singh P.S., Samsurijan M.S. & Ramli R. A., 2022, Exploring the 4IR Drivers for Sustainable Residential Building Delivery from Social Work Residential Perspective—A Structural Equation Modelling Approach. Sustainability, 15(1), 468. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010468
Onyelowe K.C., Mojtahedi F.F., Ebid A.M., Rezaei A., Osinubi K.J., Eberemu A.O., ... & Rehman Z.U., 2023, Selected AI optimization techniques and applications in geotechnical engineering. Cogent Engineering 10(1), 2153419. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2022.2153419
Onyelowe K., Van D.B., Eberemu A., Xuan M.N., Salahudeen A.B., Ezugwu C., ... & Ugorji B., 2019, Sorptivity, swelling, shrinkage, compression and durability of quarry dust treated soft soils for moisture bound pavement geotechnics. Journal of Materials Research and Technology 8(4): 3529-3538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.06.029
Oshokoya P.O. & Tetteh M.N.M., 2018, Mine-of-the-future: How is Africa prepared from a mineral and mining engineering education perspective?. Resources Policy 56: 125-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2017.10.007
Pathmanandavel S. & MacRobert C.J., 2020, Digitisation, sustainability, and disruption–promoting a more balanced debate on risk in the geotechnical community. Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards 14(4): 246-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/17499518.2020.1790012
Perkins L., Royal A.C., Jefferson I. & Hills C.D., 2021, The use of recycled and secondary aggregates to achieve a circular economy within geotechnical engineering. Geotechnics 1(2): 416-438. https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics1020020
Phasha C., 2022, The impact of Artificial Intelligence on cost overruns and risk management in Construction Project Management. Doctoral dissertation, University of Johannesburg.
Philbeck T. & Davis N., 2018, The fourth industrial revolution. Journal of International Affairs 72(1): 17-22.
Phoon K.K. & Zhang W., 2023, Future of machine learning in geotechnics. Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards 17(1): 7-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/17499518.2022.2087884
Purdy C.M., Raymond A.J., DeJong J.T., Kendall A., Krage C. & Sharp J., 2022, Life-cycle sustainability assessment of geotechnical site investigation. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 59(6): 863-877. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2020-0523
Qureshi A.H., Alaloul W.S., Manzoor B., Musarat M.A., Saad S. & Ammad S., 2020 (November). Implications of machine learning integrated technologies for construction progress detection under industry 4.0 (IR 4.0), [in:] Second International Sustainability and Resilience Conference: Technology and Innovation in Building Designs 2020 (51154) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEEECONF51154.2020.9319974
Raju V. & Daramalinggam J., 2019, Modern geotechnical practices. Geotechnical Design and Practice: Selected Topics, pp. 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0505-4_4
Rybnicek R., Plakolm J. & Baumgartner L., 2020, Risks in public–private partnerships: A systematic literature review of risk factors, their impact and risk mitigation strategies. Public Performance & Management Review 43(5): 1174-1208. https://doi.org/10.1080/15309576.2020.1741406
Salamzadeh A. & Ramadani V., 2021, "Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Female Digital Entrepreneurship – Lessons to Learn from an Iranian Case Study", [in:] Rezaei, S., Li, J., Ashourizadeh, S., Ramadani, V. and Gërguri-Rashiti, S. (eds), The Emerald Handbook of Women and Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies, pp. 317-334. Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-326-020211016
Samatas G.G., Moumgiakmas S.S. & Papakostas G.A., 2021 (May). Predictive maintenance-bridging artificial intelligence and iot, [in:] 2021 IEEE World AI IoT Congress (AIIoT) (pp. 0413-0419). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/AIIoT52608.2021.9454173
Sartipi F. & Sartipi A., 2020, Brief review on advancements in construction additive manufacturing. Journal of Construction Materials 1(2): 1-11. doi.org/10.36756/JCM.v1.2.4
Sawhney A., Riley M., Irizarry J. & Riley M., 2020, Construction 4.0. Sawhney, A., Riley, M., Irizarry, J., (eds).
Schwab K., 2018 (October), The global competitiveness report 2018. World Economic Forum.
Sharma S., Ahmed S., Naseem M., Alnumay W.S., Singh S. & Cho G.H., 2021, A survey on applications of artificial intelligence for pre-parametric project cost and soil shear-strength estimation in construction and geotechnical engineering. Sensors 21(2), 463. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21020463
Sherratt F., Dowsett R. & Sherratt S., 2020, Construction 4.0 and its potential impact on people working in the construction industry. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Management, Procurement and Law 173(4): 145-152. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmapl.19.00053
Simetti E., Indiveri G. & Pascoal A.M., 2021, WiMUST: A cooperative marine robotic system for autonomous geotechnical surveys. Journal of Field Robotics 38(2): 268-288. https://doi.org/10.1002/rob.21986
Sirinanda K., 2018, The boom in mining = Siviele Ingenieurswese 2020(1): 24-28. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1dcf30160a
Symmank L., Natho S., Scholz M., Schröder U., Raupach K. & Schulz-Zunkel C., 2020, The impact of bioengineering techniques for riverbank protection on ecosystem services of riparian zones. Ecological Engineering 158, 106040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.106040
Taha M.R., 2018, Recent developments in nanomaterials for geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, [in:] MATEC web of conferences (Vol. 149, p. 02004). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201814902004
Ukoba K., Kunene T.J., Harmse P., Lukong V.T. & Chien Jen T., 2023, The Role of Renewable Energy Sources and Industry 4.0 Focus for Africa: A Review. Applied Sciences 13(2), 1074. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021074
Uzielli M., 2023 (June), Trends, Techniques, Testing, Tribulations, Tasks, Trajectories: The Saga of Data in the Evolution of Geotechnical Design, [in:] National Conference of the Researchers of Geotechnical Engineering, pp. 36-43. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34761-0_5
Venter J., 2019, Leadership capabilities and opportunity realisation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Xueying Wang, Xi Wang, Jian Lu, Wei Li, Qilong Xue, Congsheng Zhang, Feifei Zhang, 2024, Automated classification of drill string vibrations using machine learning algorithms. Geoenergy Science and Engineering 239 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.212995
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Akbar Firoozi, Ali Asghar Firoozi, Khaled Aati, Afzal Husain Khan, Viola Vambol
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 366
Number of citations: 0
