Machine Learning & AI for Geoscience
Physics-informed and data-driven assistants that support landslide assessment, underground construction, and resource development while keeping domain expertise in the loop.
Yared W. Bekele, PhD
Research Scientist & Geotechnical Engineer
Computational geomechanics specialist integrating numerical modelling, applied AI, and field knowledge to deliver resilient geotechnical solutions.
"It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast. It keeps him young." — Konrad Lorenz
Research Interests & Expertise
Computational Geomechanics
Advanced finite element and porous media modelling to study coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour, climate adaptation of infrastructure, and risk mitigation strategies.
Scientific Software Engineering
Designing and maintaining Python/C++ codebases with testing, documentation, and automation that make research outputs reproducible and transferable to industry.
Data Interpretation & Communication
Interactive dashboards, visual analytics, and reporting approaches that translate monitoring data and simulation results into actionable guidance for project teams.
Education
PhD in Geotechnical Engineering / Computational Geomechanics
Thesis: Isogeometric analysis of coupled problems in porous media.
Developed numerical tools for hydraulic, hydro-mechanical, and thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in soils/rocks with applications in landslide simulations and geothermal energy analyses.
MSc in Geotechnics and Geohazards
Grade: A (Excellent)
Thesis: Modeling Soil-Foundation Interaction by Frequency Independent Elements, focusing on a finite element program for dynamic soil-structure interaction.
BSc in Civil Engineering
GPA: 3.9/4.0 (Magna Cum Laude)
Professional Experience
Research Scientist
- Lead computational modelling, ML/AI model development, and digital tool creation for projects such as Klima2050, KlimaDigital, NoRSTRESS, and DINAMINE.
- Deliver research-based consultancy across slope stability, foundation settlement, interpretation of ground investigations, and thermal simulations.
- Author proposals and secure funding (RCN, EU, NORAD) and internal strategic initiatives, including ENGEOS and Infra-AI.
Geotechnical Engineer
- Delivered geotechnical assessments from concept to detailed design, covering subsea pipelines, soil-structure interaction, and infrastructure foundations.
- Developed automation tools for pipe-soil interaction analyses to accelerate design cycles.
Assistant Lecturer
- Taught undergraduate courses in Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Structural Theory, Reinforced Concrete Design, and CAD in Civil Engineering.
Technical Skills
Programming Languages
Python, C++, Fortran, JavaScript
Development Tools
Git (GitHub, GitLab), Docker, CMake
Geotechnical Software
PLAXIS 2D/3D, FLAC3D, COMSOL Multiphysics, SLIDE, Settle3D, Temp/W
Platforms & Documentation
Linux, Windows, LaTeX, Markdown
Certifications
- 2018: Deep Learning Specialization — Neural networks, hyperparameter tuning, convolutional and sequence models
- 2022: Data Engineering Foundations Specialization — Relational databases, Python for data engineering, SQL, and production workflows
- 2023: Unsupervised Learning, Recommenders, Reinforcement Learning — Advanced machine learning techniques
Selected Projects & Web Applications
🤖 GeoSim.AI
AI assistants for numerical simulations in geomechanics that demonstrate productivity gains in slope stability assessments.
🗻 3D Terrain Generator
Web app that generates 3D terrain plots from XYZ point clouds or geographic bounds, including slope profiles for risk analysis.
🔬 DISFRAC
Invitation-only tool for estimating in-situ rock stresses from hydraulic fracturing test data.
🧠Deep Learning for 1D Consolidation
Explores physics-informed neural networks for soil mechanics and poroelastic consolidation.
📚 Porous Media Theory
Interactive reference for coupled problems in geoengineering, including landslide simulations and heat flow analyses.
âš¡ FDM2D
Finite difference solver for steady-state groundwater flow in 2D, translating research models into accessible tools.
Languages
- Amharic — Native
- English — Full Professional Proficiency
- Norwegian — Full Professional Proficiency
Selected Publications
- Bekele YW. GeoSim.AI: AI assistants for numerical simulations in geomechanics. arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.14186, 2025.
- Bekele YW. Physics-informed neural networks with curriculum training for poroelastic flow and deformation processes. Nordic Geotechnical Meeting (NGM2024), Gothenberg, Sweden, 2024.
- Morales M, Bekele YW. Digitalization in rock mechanics: A parametric design for numerical models in Norway. ISRM Nordic Rock Mechanics Symposium (NRMS), 2023.
- Bekele YW, Sinitsyn A. Risk Analysis of the Impact of Natural Hazards on Cultural Heritage. Development of a Risk Assessment Tool. SINTEF, 2023.
- Bekele YW, Fonn E, Kvamsdal T, Kvarving AM, Nordal S. Mixed Method for Isogeometric Analysis of Coupled Flow and Deformation in Poroelastic Media. Applied Sciences 12(6):2915, 2022.
- Piciullo L, Bekele YW, Depina I, Nadim F, Langford J. A management tool to reduce the risk of damage caused by geotechnical groundworks. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 710(1), 012073, 2021.
- Bekele YW. Physics-informed deep learning for one-dimensional consolidation. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 13(2), 420-430, 2021.
- Bekele YW. Physics-informed deep learning for flow and deformation in poroelastic media. arXiv preprint arXiv:2010.15426, 2020.
- Bekele YW, Kyokawa H, Kvarving AM, Kvamsdal T, Nordal S. Isogeometric analysis of THM coupled processes in ground freezing. Computers and Geotechnics 88, 129-145, 2017.
- Bekele YW, Kvamsdal T, Kvarving AM, Nordal S. Adaptive isogeometric finite element analysis of steady-state groundwater flow. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 40(5):738-765, 2016.
- Bekele YW. Isogeometric Analysis of Coupled Problems in Porous Media. NTNU PhD Thesis, 2016.