Caused by the capsizing of a vessel loaded with heaps of wet iron ore concentrate investigations are carried out on the stability of such piles. Geotechnical centrifuge model tests have been conducted in the Bochum geotechnical centrifuge ZI to investigate the stability behaviour of wet iron ore concentrate heaps under static and cyclic loading conditions, representing the movements of the ship. The basic behaviour of the iron ore concentrate is described in comparison with sand in comparable graduation. The parameters for the used materials are evaluated with conventional soil mechanical laboratory tests and also with special tests for the transport of granular materials specified by the Internationale Maritime Organization. More than forty tests were executed in the centrifuge with the help of a newly developed and constructed shaker combining the possibility of imposing vertical and swinging movements under cyclic loading conditions. An additionally constructed swinging bracket allows large angles of rolling. Based on a series of model the model tests, the validity of model laws for the investigation involving cyclic and dynamic problems of wet material are discussed. The findings on the behaviour of wet iron ore concentrate heaps under selfweight conditions, steadily cyclic movements (f.e. rolling of a ship) and sudden movements are shown. Variations of water content, temperature of the material, sample preparation and shape, are correlated to the installation and the behaviour of the heaps on board. With the help of this findings, requirements to reduce the destabilization are formulated.