Pulte Homes and the 20+ ft. high GRAVITY retaining wall w/ MORTAR JOINTS

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/10/19/51482.htm

Did the plaintiffs’ lawyers introduce expert testimony from an engineer? Did the engineer point out that the failed retaining wall was more than 20 feet high? That it was a GRAVITY stone wall (NO STEEL REINFORCEMENT) WITH MORTAR JOINTS? That gravity walls are typically used for only LOW retaining walls because gravity walls, PARICULARLY THOSE WITH MORTAR JOINTS, typically aren’t strong enough to resist forces on high retaining walls?

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Rivermist-owners-look-to-arbitration-3972254.php

This was a 20+ ft. high gravity retaining wall that was built with stone and mortar joints. Because they have no steel reinforcement, gravity retaining walls are typically used for only low retaining walls (less than 10 ft. high). Gravity retaining walls are typically not used for high (20+ ft.) walls, because they aren't strong enough to resist forces that act on high retaining walls. This is especially true for a gravity wall that has mortar joints.