3D Nonlinear Coupled Models for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings under Differential Settlement Induced by Groundwater Lowering
Alfonso Prosperi (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Michele Longo (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Paul A. Korswagen (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Jan G. Rots (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
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Abstract
Seasonal changes, climate, and human activities can cause groundwater fluctuations, leading to differential settlements. Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings are vulnerable to differential settlements due to low tensile strength and quasi-brittle behaviour. Damage prediction requires a better understanding of the interaction between structure, foundation, soil, and settlement causes. While previous studies focused on tunnelling or excavation, this study examines damage from progressive groundwater lowering using non-linear finite element (NLFE) modelling in DIANA FEA. The analysis employs a two-step approach. First, a 3D ground-only model is used to calculate the free-field (or “greenfield”) horizontal strain εh and angular distortion β, well-established metrics in previous tunnelling, excavation, and mining studies, under an imposed groundwater lowering scenario. This step establishes a baseline to assess how the presence of the building alters the greenfield εh and β through soil-structure interaction. Then, a 3D coupled model incorporating the URM building and its shallow foundation is used to evaluate the effects on displacements and damage.