ABSTRACT
This chapter uses Material Point Method to study the stability of a dyke. It analyses can be considered as a first step in a transition towards a safety assessment based on displacement criteria. This has to be accompanied by establishing a definition of the maximum allowable crest displacement, and by placing the methodology within the context of a probabilistic framework for dyke safety. This transition is likely to require more in-depth soil investigations in order to determine reliable material parameters. The dyke geometry is representative of a typical Dutch dyke section with asymmetric slope inclination on either side of the dyke. The dyke crest profile for a range of gravity multipliers is presented. The ability of MPM to analyse the dyke response beyond the initial failure is advantageous in dyke safety assessment. With an increasing gravity multiplier, the dyke continuously deforms and new equilibrium positions are reached.
