Aspects To Consider When Modelling the Response of Masonry Façades to Ground Movements

Lessons From A Few Studies

Conference Paper (2026)
Author(s)

Paul A. Korswagen (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Michele Longo (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Alfonso Prosperi (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Jan G. Rots (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Research Group
Applied Mechanics
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.60628/9783738810400-85 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
Applied Mechanics
Pages (from-to)
85-94
Publisher
International Masonry Society
ISBN (electronic)
978-3-7388-1040-0
Event
11th International Masonry Conference 2026 (2026-07-12 - 2026-07-15), Musik-und Kongresshalle, Lübeck, Germany
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Abstract

In the Netherlands, quasi-static soil movements from subsidence/consolidation are a major cause of differential settlements and crack damage in masonry façades and buildings. Recent studies have clarified where modelling gives reliable insight and where it misleads. The paper presents these insights as a checklist. Key aspects include façade geometry and its effect on crack patterns and deformation transfer, the distinction between greenfield and building deformations, explicit representation of soil–foundation–façade interaction, small-strain soil stiffness and progressive nonlinearity, masonry cracking and stiffness loss, and the role of initial damage and foundation behaviour. Systematic variations are needed to quantify uncertainty.

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