A hybrid computational approach to formulate soil deformation moduli obtained from PLT

► The soil moduli are formulated using a hybrid method coupling genetic programming and simulated annealing (GP/SA). ► The models correlate plate load secant (Es), unloading (Eu) and reloading (Er) moduli with the soil physical properties. ► The GP/SA models provide good predictions of the Es, Eu and Er values. ► The models can reliably be applied to fine-grained soils with physical properties similar to the soil samples used herein.