Read this first – Essential tips for your retaining wall construction journey

Retaining walls support higher levels of ground at area of significant change of grade level.   Essentially, between a higher area and lower area, the retaining wall we’ll support the higher area and hold the dirt in place. Ground levels on the levels and soils have a tendency to settle over time with the effects of moisture and weather, and the effects of traffic, whether from vehicles and or foot traffic.  Retaining walls hold the higher ground areas in place.

Retaining walls can be built from a variety of materials, generally types of concrete wars of concrete or stone or brick masonry pbrick masonry. Retaining walls though can also be built from wood timbers and other organic materials.

The pictures below show an example of a granite retaining wall in a contemporary high rise building at the exterior green space..

Traditional Retaining walls were often built of brick masonry or stone masonry. In some cases granite cobbles were used for the construction of retail the construction of retaining walls in Capitol hill but there is debate over the original construction of those retaining walls.

The picture below shows an example of a brick retaining wall in capital hill.

Like all masonry structures, over time retaining walls deteriorate deteriorate. The cohesive binder and motor will deteriorate over time with over time with seasonal effects of weather and hydration. The picture below shows an example of a failed and collapsed retaining wall. Go to the following link for more information on masonry failures.