On characteristic values and the reliability-based assessment of dykes. Issue 4 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hicks, Michael A.; Varkey, Divya; van den Eijnden, Abraham P.; de Gast, Tom; Vardon, Philip J.
• Is Part Of: Georisk. Volume 13:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 313
• Page End: 319
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Characteristic values -- dykes -- Eurocode 7 -- slope reliability -- spatial variability; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Hazardous geographic environments -- Risk assessment -- Periodicals; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Periodicals; 624.151
• DOI: 10.1080/17499518.2019.1652918
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-9518

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A case study involving the assessment and re-design of an existing dyke, founded on a layered soil, has compared deterministic analysis based on 5-percentile property values and a reliability-based random finite element analysis consistent with the requirements of Eurocode 7. The results show that a consideration of the spatial nature of soil variability generally leads to higher computed factors of safety and, for those dyke sections requiring remedial action, to more economic designs. Back-figured characteristic values are shown to be considerably higher than the 5-percentile soil properties; hence, a reduction in over-conservatism is achieved.