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The Vajont disaster

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Introduction

Vajont dam is located to 100 km northeast of Venice, Italia.It was built on a naturalgorge of Muont Toc wich has a 1921 m of altitud.

Its dimensions reach 262 m high, 27 m wide at the base and 3.4 m at the top.

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Introduction

Plan view and cross section view of the dam Vajont

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The construction was in charge of Doctor of Engineering Carlo Semenza,who had experience in the area with 15 dams built worldwide.

Builing

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3 holes on the slopes of the mountains were drilled to 170 m, and no history ofold slides were observed, so it was ruled that this situation could happen..

In conclusion, the mountain of Vajont has firm and strong limestone.

Building

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Carlo Semenza needed to avoid this landslide, but any solutionwas not possible.

Building

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Geological knowledge was not enough.

Scale model was constructed (1:200), resulting in a wave of 20m.

It was decided to leave the dam 25mt free.

The villagers disapproved of the construction of the dam.

Building

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The engineer in charge dies Carlo Semenza

It is by another team. (1961)

Decide to pour the land mass to slow sliding. (1963)

Engineers gather on top of the dam to witnessthe spectacle of waves. (1963)

Building

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Subsequent studiesWhy did it fail?

The model used was wrong.

They missed parameters to be considered.

The wave was 100 more than the expected.

Clay layer is deeper than your

measurements.

Waterproof layer.

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No rain effects wereconsidered.

They were not responsible toanalyze their studies. Theyinstalled four piezometers,discarding one.

Subsequent studiesWhy did it fail?