Assessing the Impact of Global Warming on the Structural Design and Concrete Engineering of Earth Dams in Northern Nigeria: A Case Study of the Alau Dam Collapse in Borno State, Nigeria 2024

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between global warming and the structural stability of earth dams, with a focus on the collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State, Nigeria. Increasingly erratic weather patterns, such as extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts, have significantly impacted the structural design and concrete engineering of earth dams. This study uses the collapse of the Alau Dam as a case study to analyze the vulnerability of dams in Northern Nigeria to climate-related risks. We examine the existing design protocols, identify weaknesses in concrete engineering under climate stress, and propose adaptation strategies for future constructions. Recent statistics on dam failures in the region are included to highlight the urgency of climate-resilient infrastructure. In developing countries, flooding is often caused by a combination of factors. Climate change contributes to more intense and frequent storms, while excessive rainfall overwhelms natural and man-made drainage systems. Building on waterways and in flood-prone areas increases the risk, as does the rise in sea levels and changes in soil moisture. Dam operations, especially along borders, can also exacerbate flooding when not properly managed. Uncontrolled rapid population growth puts further pressure on land and resources, often leading to inadequate planning and preparedness for such disasters and lack of political will. Flooding has both natural and human causes. MacLeod et al identified excessive precipitation levels as the main natural cause of flooding, caused by climate change Tremblay et al. link flood occurrence to maximum soil moisture level rather than maximum precipitation.