SOME CASE STUDIES OF FAILURE AND DAMAGE OF LOW EARTH DAMS IN MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

This dissertation is based on case studies of failures and damages to some low-earthen darns in Madhya Pradesh State, which is now on the threshold of constructing very large dams in the Narmada Valley. An attempt is made here to bring and discuss information that could be procured only with difficulty and reluctance on the part of concerned officers which go against such a study. Complete technical coverage has therefore not been possible. In some cases information may even appear to be sketchy. In all ten dam failures which have occurred over last two decades have been dis-cussed. There is no case of damage or failure to any dam due to earthquake in Madhya Pradesh and hence the problem of seismic stability has been omitted in the present study. Preceding to the study of failures of dams in M.P. State, general introduction, aspects of earth dam design and causes of failure and damage to earth dams constitute the first three chapters.