Which structural problem contributed significantly to the eventual breaching of the Theodosian Walls surrounding Constantinople?

💡 Explanation

When walls exhibit differential settlement, tensile stresses concentrate at specific points because the varying soil composition leads to uneven load distribution, resulting in cracking and weakening. Therefore, cracking from differential settlement increases breaching vulnerability, rather than weak mortar, seismic activity or rusting cramps, which act via distinct failure mechanisms.

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