Malpasset arch dam: an example of major accident caused by the effect of water in a rock foundation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Malpasset dam accident is considered as the classical example of the detrimental effects of water in a rock foundation. Technically, it represents a unique case of arch dam collapse induced by the water and the subsequent uplift pressures acting on a very large rock wedge in a fractured rock foundation. At the time of the accident (1950’s), such an effect was totally unknown by the dam designers and geologists as well. After a summary of the background and geological context, the investigations and the design (initial and final one) are presented. Then, the chronology of events is reconstructed in detail, including the structural deformation of the arch during the filling of the reservoir and the heavy rainfalls. After all, the collapse is analysed based upon the observation carried out immediately after the accident as well as the post failure investigations that took place during the following years. Despite the total failure of the arch dam, the origin of the accident cannot be attributed to the dam structure itself but solely to the rock foundation. The accident of Malpasset lead to the creation of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) in 1962 as well as main developments in engineering geology, hydrogeology, soil and rock mechanics.
Source: Soils and Rocks
Authors: Eda Freitas de Quadros, Philippe Vaskou
Institution: CY Cergy Paris Université
Language: English
Topic: Dam Engineering and Safety
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204885264