Random Forest versus Support Vector Machine Models’ Applicability for Predicting Beam Shear Strength

The shear and bending are the actions that are experienced in the beam owing to the fact that the beam is a flexural member due to the load in the transverse direction to their longitudinal axis. The shear strength (Vs) computation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams has been a major topic in the field of structural engineering. There have been several methodologies introduced for the Vs prediction; however, the modeling accuracy is relatively low owing to the complex characteristic of the resistance mechanism involving dowel effect of longitudinal reinforcement, concrete in the compression zone, contribution of the stirrups if existed, and the aggregate interlock. Hence, the current research proposed a new soft computing model called random forest (RF) to predict Vs. Experimental datasets were collected from the open-source literature including the related geometric properties and concrete characteristics of beam specimens. Nine input combinations were constructed based on the statistical correlation to be supplied for the proposed predictive model. The prediction accuracy of the RF model was validated against the Support Vector Machine (SVM), and several other empirical formulations have been adopted in the literature. The proposed RF model revealed better prediction accuracy in addition the model structure emphasis in the incorporation of seven predictors by excluding (beam flange thickness and coefficient). In the quantitative term, the minimal root mean square error value was attained (RMSE = 89.68 kN).