Ka-Loko Dam Failure Essay
Failure Analysis of the Ka-Loko Dam Break Disaster
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor
Date
Failure Analysis of the Ka-Loko Dam Break Disaster
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
Dams are control or water storage structures. Dams are considered as reservoirs when used for impounding water from streams. Generally, dam failures are known to pose catastrophic disasters to economic development, the environment and to human lives. In order to reduce the risk of disaster occurrence, it is imperative to investigate causes of dam failure. Concerns over the structural safety of dams have drawn the attention of municipal authorities. In densely populated regions, dam failures can lead to devastating engineering disasters, loss of property and lives. …show more content…
237). The high sediment deposition load might have gradually aggravated erosion and deformation of the embankment beyond the bearing capacity of the foundation. Furthermore, high rates of degradation might have increased the sediment load along the catchment area. Generally, excessive sediment deposition in earthen dams reduces their storage capacity as well as the recharge capacity of aquifers. The primary sediments reported at the site were highly erodible silts that would have been swept away by the flush floods (Zimmerman, 2007, p.2).
3.2.3 Effects of Differential Settlement, Loading and Reservoir Leakage
Another item of consideration is increased settling of the earthen dam under sustained loading. This can be partly attributed to the weight of water and the structure that account for cracking (West, 2010 p. 259). However, cracking was less likely to have caused the failure since the tunnel underneath the spillway remained intact. In addition, earthen dams are fairly tolerant and flexible to the effects of differential settlements (Zimmerman, 2007, p.2). Thus, failure hypotheses such as differential settlement, reservoir leakage, and seismic loading can be discarded.
3.2.4 Effects of Hydraulic …show more content…
(1977). Teton Dam Failure: The Evaluation of Dam Safety. Engineering Foundation Conference Proceedings, ASCE, New York, New York, 61-71
Leone, D. (2009, April 02). Ruling leaves state among defendants in Kaloko suit | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Apr/02/ln/hawaii904020335.html
Oxford Dictionary (n.d.) Disaster. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/
Schuster, R.L. (2006). Interaction of Dams and Landslides: Case Studies and Mitigation. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1723, 107 p. 7-13
West, Terry R. (2010). Geology Applied to Engineering. New Jersey: Waveland Press Inc. p. 202-544.
Zimmerman M. (2007, January 22). Godbey Report: Roadmap to Prevent Kauai's Ka-Loko Dam Breach Disaster from Ever Happening Again. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from http://www.hawaiireporter.com/godbey-report-roadmap-to-prevent-kauais-ka-loko-dam-breach-disaster-from-ever-happening-again-key-witnesses-speak-out-for-the-first-time-dams-owner-james-pflueger-goes-on-the-record-with-hawaii-re-2/123
Zumrawi, M. M. (2015). Failure Investigation of Tawila Dam in North Darfur, Sudan. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 6(4), 963-967. Retrieved March 7,
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor
Date
Failure Analysis of the Ka-Loko Dam Break Disaster
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
Dams are control or water storage structures. Dams are considered as reservoirs when used for impounding water from streams. Generally, dam failures are known to pose catastrophic disasters to economic development, the environment and to human lives. In order to reduce the risk of disaster occurrence, it is imperative to investigate causes of dam failure. Concerns over the structural safety of dams have drawn the attention of municipal authorities. In densely populated regions, dam failures can lead to devastating engineering disasters, loss of property and lives. …show more content…
237). The high sediment deposition load might have gradually aggravated erosion and deformation of the embankment beyond the bearing capacity of the foundation. Furthermore, high rates of degradation might have increased the sediment load along the catchment area. Generally, excessive sediment deposition in earthen dams reduces their storage capacity as well as the recharge capacity of aquifers. The primary sediments reported at the site were highly erodible silts that would have been swept away by the flush floods (Zimmerman, 2007, p.2).
3.2.3 Effects of Differential Settlement, Loading and Reservoir Leakage
Another item of consideration is increased settling of the earthen dam under sustained loading. This can be partly attributed to the weight of water and the structure that account for cracking (West, 2010 p. 259). However, cracking was less likely to have caused the failure since the tunnel underneath the spillway remained intact. In addition, earthen dams are fairly tolerant and flexible to the effects of differential settlements (Zimmerman, 2007, p.2). Thus, failure hypotheses such as differential settlement, reservoir leakage, and seismic loading can be discarded.
3.2.4 Effects of Hydraulic …show more content…
(1977). Teton Dam Failure: The Evaluation of Dam Safety. Engineering Foundation Conference Proceedings, ASCE, New York, New York, 61-71
Leone, D. (2009, April 02). Ruling leaves state among defendants in Kaloko suit | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Apr/02/ln/hawaii904020335.html
Oxford Dictionary (n.d.) Disaster. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/
Schuster, R.L. (2006). Interaction of Dams and Landslides: Case Studies and Mitigation. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1723, 107 p. 7-13
West, Terry R. (2010). Geology Applied to Engineering. New Jersey: Waveland Press Inc. p. 202-544.
Zimmerman M. (2007, January 22). Godbey Report: Roadmap to Prevent Kauai's Ka-Loko Dam Breach Disaster from Ever Happening Again. Retrieved April 07, 2017, from http://www.hawaiireporter.com/godbey-report-roadmap-to-prevent-kauais-ka-loko-dam-breach-disaster-from-ever-happening-again-key-witnesses-speak-out-for-the-first-time-dams-owner-james-pflueger-goes-on-the-record-with-hawaii-re-2/123
Zumrawi, M. M. (2015). Failure Investigation of Tawila Dam in North Darfur, Sudan. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 6(4), 963-967. Retrieved March 7,