Engineering Geology, 24 (1987) 575

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands

575

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON DAM FAILURES -CLOSING REMARKS

G.A. LEONARDS
(Accepted for publication December 1986)

Reflecting on the deliberations of the past 21~ days, one overriding

consideration stands out in my mind more clearly than ever before: it is the
crucial role played by the engineer's perception of what problems should be
considered in the project at hand. This perception largely controls: (1) the
nature and scope of the site investigations to be carried out; (2) the kinds of
analyses that will be commissioned; (3) the number, location, and types of
instruments to be installed; (4) the manner, and to what end, the measurements will be interpreted; and most important of all, (5) the nature of the
decisions taken in formulating the design, and in specifying construction
procedures.
Many factors contribute to the formulation of this perception, among
which theory plays an important though hidden role that is seldom recognized.
Considering the fact that after 10, 15, even 20 years of hindsight, some of
the world's most knowledgeable and experienced designers of dams were
unable to agree on the relative importance of different factors that had a
bearing on the security of each of the four dams considered, the difficulty of
making correct decisions in the first place becomes more readily apparent.
Speaking for myself, in the future I will be more humble and more tolerant
of the errors and omissions that may befall a fellow engineer, even if they are
clearly apparent in hindsight, and a lot more careful before taking a decision
that could affect the security of an important structure.
Already I perceive differences in posture between some of the current
positions taken by the participants and those stated in the papers they submitted to me on July 1. I encourage all participants to submit supplemental
statements for publication in the Proceedings after they have had a chance to
digest the exchange of views we have experienced here.
Time does not permit me to thank everyone who had a hand in the success
of this conference, but I would be remiss if I did not express our gratitude to
the lead speakers and invited discussers, whose efforts have enriched our
profession and have contributed to an advance in the state of the art of dam
engineering.
I may not be able to say good-bye to all of y o u before we part. If I should
happen to miss you, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, adios, and until we meet
again, best wishes for success in all your endeavours. The International
Workshop on Dam Failures is adjourned.
0013-7952/87/$03.50

1987 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.