Analysis of Pre-failure and Failure of a Levee on Soft Soil with Modified Cam-Clay Model in DIANA

Abstract

In order to evaluate available models for the safety assessment of levees on soft soils, a full-scale experiment was performed by Dutch authorities bringing a historical dyke to failure. In the paper, the pre-failure and the failure state of the levee are investigated by means of finite element analyses using the software code DIANA. The calculated pre-failure response is successfully validated against the displacements and pore pressures measured during the full-scale experiment. The limit state of the levee is estimated by means of strength reduction analyses using simple plasticity models as well as by more comprehensive stress-strain analyses using the Modified Cam-clay model. Based on the results of the different analyses performed, conclusions are drawn about the type of analysis recommended for the safety assessment of such levees on soft soils. Recommendations are formulated regarding the constitutive model, the hydraulic conditions and the influence of the spatial variation of strength parameters.