Physics-informed machine learning in geotechnical engineering: a direction paper

This direction paper explores the evolving landscape of physics-informed machine learning (PIML) methodologies in the field of geotechnical engineering, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current advancements and propose future research directions. Recognising the intrinsic connection between geophysical phenomena and geotechnical processes, we delve into the intersection of physics-based models and machine learning techniques. The paper begins by elucidating the significance of incorporating physics-informed approaches, emphasising their potential to enhance the interpretability, accuracy and reliability of predictive models in geotechnical applications. We review recent applications of PIML in soil mechanics, hydrology, geotechnical site investigation, slope stability analysis and foundation engineering, showcasing successes and challenges. Furthermore, we identify promising avenues for future research in geotechnical engineering, including the integration of domain knowledge, model explainability, multiphysics and multiscale problems, complex constitutive models, as well as digital twins and large AI models within PIML frameworks. As geotechnical engineering embraces the paradigm shift towards data-driven methodologies, this direction paper offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, guiding the trajectory of PIML for sustainable and resilient infrastructure development. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.