Material point method for modeling the static liquefaction-induced Fundão Dam failure

Abstract

Abstract The material point method (MPM) is recently considered a powerful tool in analyzing slope failures because of its capability to model the progressive failure of slopes as well as handling problems that involve large deformations. In this study, the failure of Fundão Dam, which took place in November 2015 in Brazil, induced by static liquefaction is analyzed using the MPM. The MPM code Anura3D is used to predict the dam slope progressive failure and to simulate the large deformations produced post-failure. The failure wedge obtained from MPM analysis of this study is compared with the failure surfaces obtained from the limit equilibrium analysis (LEA) provided by two independent studies carried out on Fundão Dam slope. The failure wedge obtained from the MPM shows good agreement to the pre-defined failure surfaces obtained from LEA. However, the MPM has a great advantage over the LEA in simulating the mode of failure and in modeling the large deformations that took place upon failure. The only drawback of the MPM approach is that it does not provide a value for safety factor against failure; however, the new approach is still underdeveloped and could be easily enhanced to provide a unified analysis tool for slope stability problems.