ABSTRACT
The relationship between dam safety and geology has been one of the most important research topics in rock mechanics and geological engineering since the 1960s, since many of the most serious accidents have been due to foundation problems. The failures of the Malpasset Dam (France) in 1959, the Vajont Dam (Italy) in 1963, and the Teton Dam (USA) in 1975 are among the best known. Although the problems were different in each case, all three failures were related to the geological conditions.
