Behavior of a masonry wall subjected to mining subsidence, as analyzed by experimental designs and response surfaces

In this paper we present the principles of a methodology for studying the impact of mining subsidence on masonry buildings, using numerical experimental designs, statistical analysis and surface responses, where the subsidence is the input variable, joint tensile strength and cohesion are the control variables and the total length of cracks is the output variable. Numerical experiments are carried out using a distinct element model of a masonry wall where masonry blocks are explicitly taken into account. Calculations are also carried out for two types of subsidence according to the position of the building in the convex curvature or the concave curvature zone of the ground surface subsidence. Statistical analysis of the results shows the dominant influence of the joint tensile strength over the joint cohesion and the absence of interaction between these two parameters.