Similar to any construction project, dams can also fail. The failure of a dam causes enormous economic damage and unfortunately is often associated with losses of human lives. Well-known dam failures are the following:
1. Teton Dam, USA
Failure mechanism: Water infiltration and piping. The earth embankment and the foundation started eroding and eventually, the huge volume of the water in the reservoir escaped abruptly causing the flooding of the downstream area. Flooding caused the death of 11 eleven people and property damage of over 2 billion USD
Malpasset Dam, Γαλλία
Development of pressure from the infiltration of water into a rock surface discontinuity that was not detected during the geotechnical survey. It caused the killing of 423 people and financial losses of more than 70 million dollars.
Vajont Dam, Italy
Failure Mechanism: Landslide of a reservoir slopes. December 1963, 2200 dead.