Various studies were undertaken gaining a better understanding of the kinematics of accretionary wedges with a heterogeneous sediment input. We used a numerical granular model approach to simulate a heterogeneous accreting sediment sequence consisting of three horizontal layers. Using this approach, the importance of the implemented rheology of the embedded layer was examined utilizing a low friction elasto-plastic, brittle (Mohr-Coulomb) layer versus a viscoelastic-plastic (Burger's) layer. In both experiments, a stable mid-level detachment evolved in the vicinity of the mechanically weaker embedded layer causing the evolution of an accretionary prism. Hanging and underlying layers were always decoupled. The brittle wedge showed typical foreland-vergent thrusts with small thrust-spacing. In contrast, the wedge with a viscoelastic-plastic layer evolved wider extended, with reduced foreland-vergence, with larger thrust-spacing, with a faster deformation front propagation and with a flatter topography. Hence, a viscoelastic-plastic approach is more suitable to simulate the natural behavior of evaporitic décollements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]