Abstract: Generalized potential theory avoids the traditional concept of yield surface, thereby provides a new perspective in the study of constitutive models for geomaterials. The multiple potential surface model, which is based on the generalized potential theory, can conduct the numerical analysis of embankment dam with the same parameters as those of commonly used Duncan-Chang model as well as Shen's model, and exhibits fine versatility. In this paper, the numerical analysis of a typical embankment dam using the multiple potential surface model was conducted, and the comparison with Shen's model was made. To simulate the unsaturated properties of soils and their influence on the stress-strain and phreatic line in the dam, the simplified theory for unsaturated soil suggested by Shen Zhujiang was employed. Results showed that under the same condition, the displacement calculated by the multiple potential surface model was smaller than that calculated by Shen's model, thereby affecting the development of the phreatic line.