An extensive programme of research has been carried out at Oxford University on finite elementanalysis of the interaction between masonry buildings and ground movements induced by tunnelling. The focushas been on the development of a predictive tool for assessing the probable damage to buildings. This paperpresents a brief summary of the work, with reference to other more detailed papers. The method is illustratedwith reference to the case of the Ramsgate harbour approach tunnel, in which a large diameter tunnel in chalkwas excavated at very low cover directly beneath a row of cottages. Both field measurements and analyses revealthat in this case the building responds flexibly, following rather closely the greenfield settlements, which weresmall. The slight damage to the buildings was also correctly modelled.
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