Numerical modelling of thin structures combined with history-dependent material under large deformation is challenging for the traditional methods of analysis. The material point method (MPM), in which the continuum is represented by material points, is a Lagrangian-Eulerian procedure suited for granular material and geomechanical simulations. The releasing process of geocontainers within a barge is simulated, in which the split barge is modelled via boundary particles with prescribed angular velocity. Various frictional contact coefficients between the barge and geotextile material are considered. Moreover, the influence of adding wrinkles to the bottom of the container that follows practice is evaluated and the predictions are compared to that of a non-slack geotextile. The effect of soil properties on the geotextile forces are also examined. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.