Retaining wall rotation and failure. Old wall constructed without steel reinforcement, a proper foundation or drainage control devices. Failure most likely occurred due to build up of water pressure behind the wall.
Retaining walls constructed out of brick are susceptible to damage and failure from a variety of sources. Brick walls typically lack steel reinforcement, a proper foundation and subsurface drainage control measures. Soil pressure and hydrostatic pressure behind the wall are common causes of brick wall distress and failure. Seismic shaking also causes brick structures to experience damage.