Abstract: The research status of detection and identification technologies for hidden dangers or disasters of dike project, including piping and dam break, are summarized. The characteristics, applicability, and engineering application of common methods in detecting hidden dangers of dike, namely, high-density resistivity method, ground penetration radar imaging, magnetoelectric method, transient electromagnetic method, and flow field method, are analyzed. Moreover, the theories and engineering practices of hidden danger identification technologies based on experts’ experiences, event tree analysis, sensitivity analysis, neural network, grey theory and artificial intelligence are expounded. The related theories provide necessary theoretical foundations for some existing problems and engineering applications that will be carried out in the future.

Key words: dike engineering, hidden danger detection, danger identification, piping, dam break