TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to improve back propagation neural network (BPNN) modeling in order to promote the forecast calculation precision of landslide deformation.Design/methodology/approach– The genetic algorithm is adopted to optimize the architectural parameter of BPNN so as to avoided errors occurrence while using the trial‐and‐error method. Furthermore, the Sigmoid function is improved and revised to expand the output range of change‐over function from unipolar (only positive) to ambipolar (may be positive or negative), then the convergence time is reduced and the neural network can express more artificial intelligence.Findings– The modeling can effectively reduce the probability to get into the local minima while employing neural networks to forecast the landslide deformation. It significantly promotes the forecast precision.Research limitations/implications– The improved BPNN modeling, which is very good in learning and processing information, can work out the complex non‐linear relation by learning model and using the present data or reciprocity of surroundings.Practical implications– The revised BPNN modeling in this paper can be used to predict and calculate landslide deformation.Originality/value– The paper demonstrates that the modeling can meet the demand of calculation precision. VL - 39 IS - 8 SN - 0368-492X DO - 10.1108/03684921011063529 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/03684921011063529 AU - Ran Yong‐fen AU - Xiong Guang‐chi AU - Li Shi‐sheng AU - Ye Liao‐yuan ED - Hejing Xiong ED - Mianyun Chen ED - Yi Lin PY - 2010 Y1 - 2010/01/01 TI - Study on deformation prediction of landslide based on genetic algorithm and improved BP neural network T2 - Kybernetes PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 1245 EP - 1254 Y2 - 2024/03/28 ER -