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Technology Associates
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Forensic Engineering Experts - Ph (800) 358-9909 - Fax (888) 358-9901
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RETAINING WALLS |
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Retaining walls, marina bulkheads, and other types of earth-retaining structures can exhibit post-construction distress ranging from cracking, to movement or total collapse. These problems can develop over time, often decades after a wall was constructed and seemingly for no apparent reason. Although cracking or wall movement can be benign, these are often symptoms of a pending collapse, which can have catastrophic consequences. Thus the cause of distress must be ascertained to ensure safety and to determine appropriate remediation.
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Expertise |
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Questions Answered |
We have extensive experience evaluating the causes of retaining wall distress and movement including problems related to:
- Improperly or inadequately designed or constructed walls
- Changes caused by human activity such as construction or excavation
- Buildup of ground water due to a failed or missing drainage system
- Physical deterioration of wall materials over time
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Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as:
- Is the observed wall distress a safety concern or is it simply cosmetic?
- Was the wall properly designed and constructed to begin with?
- Is the distress the result of natural causes or human activity?
- Why did distress develop after many years of satisfactory performance?
- Are there economical, lasting ways to restore the wall for safe use?
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Past Case Examples |
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Surprising Cause of Damage:
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Successful Defense of Damage Claim:
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A mall retaining wall started to exhibit significant cracking and settlement after years of satisfactory performance. There had been no construction activity or other significant changes in the immediate vicinity to explain this settlement. Through our investigation of past development in this area, we were able to show that construction dewatering for a new theatre, hundreds of feet away, had triggered the settlement, allowing the mall owner to recover damages from the theater owners.
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A homeowner built a new retaining wall along his property line. The adjacent property owner sued him claiming damage to an adjacent garage. We were able to demonstrate that the garage damage was not only pre-existing, but entirely the result of a structural design and construction defect in the garage. Thus, the homeowner prevailed and the lawsuit was dismissed in his favor.
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