Cloud-Verhulst hybrid prediction model for dam deformation under uncertain conditions

Uncertainties existing in the process of dam deformation negatively influence deformation prediction. However, existing deformation pre- diction models seldom consider uncertainties. In this study, a cloud-Verhulst hybrid prediction model was established by combing a cloud model with the Verhulst model. The expectation, one of the cloud characteristic parameters, was obtained using the Verhulst model, and the other two cloud characteristic parameters, entropy and hyper-entropy, were calculated by introducing inertia weight. The hybrid prediction model was used to predict the dam deformation in a hydroelectric project. Comparison of the prediction results of the hybrid prediction model with those of a traditional statistical model and the monitoring values shows that the proposed model has higher prediction accuracy than the traditional sta- tistical model. It provides a new approach to predicting dam deformation under uncertain conditions.