Cloud-Computing Based Parameter Identification System - with Applications in Geotechnical Engineering

Parameter or system identification is a useful tool in civil engineering. They have wide applications across many disciplines. However, due to the lack of generalpurpose tools for such analyses, researchers need to develop their own codes with duplicated efforts. Yet, it is sometime difficult to adopt other people’s code due to different modeling methods used. Thus, there is a need for general-purpose tools to resolve problems of this kind. This paper describes a general-purpose system for such purpose. The system has three features. First, it uses cloud-computing technology to provide large-scale capabilities. Second, the system uses a JavaScript engine for developing extensions. Third, it employs multi-objective particle swarm optimization for its applicability on wide range of problems. These features allow the system provide general capabilities to solve problems with similar needs. The design is validated and demonstrated by identifying constitutive model parameters in geotechnical engineering.