Understanding subsidence consequences on masonry structures using large small-scale physical modeling

Abstract : Underground movement is an important hazard. The impact of the subsidence on existing structures and infrastructures can be dramatic. A large small-scale physical model, soil-structure interaction model, is developed to study the behavior and the damage of a masonry structure. Displacements and strains of the soil and the structure are measured by using Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Two high quality cameras have been used to follow the development of cracks. A specific algorithm based on the identification of the relative displacement of cracks was developed. The paper summarizes the main results of the masonry damage under the vertical displacements. The location of cracks on the masonry structure depends on the location of the structure on the subsidence trough; the maximum damages are observed when the structure loses the support and the contact with soil.