On the design of bank revetments at inland waterways subjected to ship-induced water level drawdown: A probabilistic infinite slope analysis

To protect embankments along German inland waterways against local slope sliding failure caused by ship-induced water level drawdown, they are mainly secured by bank revetments. Often, large embankment sections are designed on the basis of a limited number of field and laboratory tests. Thus, uncertainties arise with regard to the mechanical and...

Effect of uncertainties in geometry, inter-layer boundary and shear strength properties on the probabilistic stability of a 3D embankment slope

This paper investigates the influence of three forms of uncertainty on the probabilistic stability of an idealised 3D embankment slope. These are: 1D spatial variability in the external geometry of the slope along its length, 2D spatial variability in the depth of the boundary between the embankment material and the foundation layer, and 3D...

Evaluating residual dyke resistance using the Random Material Point Method

Due to a lack of large deformation dyke assessment models, primary failure mechanisms, such as inner slope failure, are often used as a proxy to assess the probability of failure of a dyke. However, a dyke continues to fulfil its main function unless, or until, flooding occurs. The Random Material Point Method (RMPM) is used here to investigate...

Modified Semi-Analytical Method for 3D Slope Reliability

An improved method for the reliability analysis of 3D slopes has been proposed based on the semi-analytical method of Vanmarcke (1977). Comparing the predicted responses of an idealised 3D slope obtained by the more general, albeit computationally intensive, random finite element method (RFEM), and the original semi-analytical method showed that...

Implementation of non-trivial boundary conditions in MPM for geotechnical applications

This paper describes current work on the implementation of non-trivial boundary conditions (BCs) for improving the general applicability of the Material Point Method (MPM) to geotechnical boundary values problems. It summarises novel boundary treatments (non-trivial BCs) in MPM for (i) flow conditions, as well as (ii) the application of a...

An improved semi-analytical method for 3D slope reliability assessments

An improved semi-analytical method for calculating the reliability of 3D slopes with spatially varying shear strength parameters is proposed. The response of an existing semi-analytical method has been compared with that of the computationally more intensive, but more general, random finite element method (RFEM), demonstrating that the simpler...

Rainfall-induced slope collapse with coupled material point method

Rainfall-induced slope failures are a major category of slope failure, with incidents likely to increase with the predicted escalation of extreme rainfall events. Traditional numerical methods such as the finite element method are often restricted in their applicability to small deformation analyses. Therefore, incomplete descriptions of the...

Combined effect of hysteresis and heterogeneity on the stability of an embankment under transient seepage

The stability of most earth embankments is strongly influenced by the water content of the soil. The water content directly influences the suction or pore pressure in the soil, as well as the mass of material, thereby affecting the stress state and strength, and leading to changes in the stability. These aspects are coupled by the so-called soil...

Reduction of slope stability uncertainty based on hydraulic measurement via inverse analysis

The determination of slope stability for existing slopes is challenging, partly due to the spatial variability of soils. Reliability-based design can incorporate uncertainties and yield probabilities of slope failure. Field measurements can be utilised to constrain probabilistic analyses, thereby reducing uncertainties and generally reducing...

The history of safety factors for Dutch regional dykes

Regular dyke assessment is part of reducing the risk of flooding in the Netherlands. 18 000 km of dykes are assessed at regular intervals, of which 14 000 km are classified as regional dykes and their main aim is to defend polders from inundating. The methods of assessing regional dykes are strongly inter-twined with the methods of assessing...

The History of Safety Factors for Dutch Regional Dykes

Regular dyke assessment is part of reducing the risk of flooding in the Netherlands. 18 000 km of dykes are assessed at regular intervals, of which 14 000 km are classified as regional dykes and their main aim is to defend polders from inundating. The methods of assessing regional dykes are strongly inter-twined with the methods of assessing...

The History of Safety Factors for Dutch Regional Dykes

Regular dyke assessment is part of reducing the risk of flooding in the Netherlands. 18 000 km of dykes are assessed at regular intervals, of which 14 000 km are classified as regional dykes and their main aim is to defend polders from inundating. The methods of assessing regional dykes are strongly inter-twined with the methods of assessing...