Thursday, 13 May, 2010 at 5:30 pm
The failure of Analcóllar Dam
Evening lecture by Professor Gens.
Aznalcóllar dam, a tailings dam in Southern Spain, failed catastrophically by sliding on the foundation clay. Parts of the dam moved downstream more than 50 m. The resulting spillage caused one of the worst environmental disasters in Europe threatening a major nature reserve located downstream of the dam.
Aznalcollar_dam01The lecturer was an expert witness for the court in the judicial case that was initiated immediately after the failure. The lecture describes the investigation carried out including fi eld observations before failure, a description of the geometry and mechanism of failure as well a number of analyses of the failure and of the post-failure dynamics. Special attention is given to the causes underlying the failure that involve progressive failure and the presence of very high pore water pressures in the foundation. The lecture concludes with a summary of the lessons learnt andtheir implications for future designs.
Download flyer
Venue: E10 Lecture Theatre, School of Engineering, University of Canterbury
Date: Thursday 13th May 2010
Time: Light refreshments from 5.30pm – for 6.00pm start
Contact: Christchurch branch coordinators
Joyce Seale, 021 569230, joyce.seale@pdp.co.nz
Please contact the 
