Articles by: Joseph Kowalski

Prescott AZ Retaining Wall Failure

Prescott AZ Retaining Wall Failure

In 2007, a retaining wall at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Prescott, Arizona began to fail.  This was a very tall retaining wall, and was very expensive to litigate and repair. There are[Read More…]

Retaining Wall Design – Contracts

Retaining Wall Design – Contracts

Obviously, retaining wall design involves contracts.  These contracts between the Engineer and the Client are important.  Does the contract benefit both parties?  Is using contracts a win-win? Contracts are important to: Memorialize everyone’s understanding[Read More…]

Project 13034 – Austin TX Wall Failure

Project 13034 – Austin TX Wall Failure

This wall failed in Austin, TX, in 2013. Every retaining wall is just a large mass that isn’t supposed to slide or tip over.  The blocks at the front are just “erosion control”.  Clever[Read More…]

Retaining Wall Failure – Tulsa, Oklahoma Project 8036

Retaining Wall Failure – Tulsa, Oklahoma Project 8036

In 2008, a large retaining wall in Tulsa, Oklahoma failed.  The failure was attributed to a number of causes, all of them preventable by the retaining wall contractor. A geogrid reinforced retaining wall is[Read More…]

Ohio Retaining Wall Failure

Ohio Retaining Wall Failure

This retaining wall failed in 2010.  In order to BE a retaining wall, a wall must obviously NOT tip over and NOT slide. For a natural stone retaining wall, like the one shown here,[Read More…]

Retaining Wall Failure: Harrison, Ohio

Retaining Wall Failure: Harrison, Ohio

During the summer of 2010, a retaining wall failed in Harrison, Ohio at the Cedar Hill Apartments.  The resulting wall collapse crushed at least one car and will cost tens of thousands of dollars[Read More…]