Causes and Consequences of Dam Failures—Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of dam is to store water and supply to nearby required area. The underestimated capacity, overtopping, erosion in the downstream side, geometry of the slope, sliding, high settlement, etc., are the causes of dam failure. The dam failure occurs both nationally and internationally leading to a pressing need to fathom the underlying causes for the failure and to minimize such occurrences. To understand the causes of failure, it is important to investigate the dam profile and properties. This paper primarily focuses on the major reasons for the dam failures such as overtopping, erosions, seepage, and seismic factors which also includes the details of dam and reservoirs. Thus, the paper is concluded with the lessons and practices understood from the various cases to avoid the failures in the near future.