Today a better knowledge of degradations due to multiphysical phenomena is possible thanks crossanalyses permitting the development of new models. First, we discuss on the best way to account for couplings between mechanical, thermal, chemical and transport phenomena in refractory structures. Then, this approach is used to understand the causes of degradation in bauxite-based working lining used in steel ladles. It is shown that a new cause could explain the spalls observed in the impregnated zone of bauxite refractory.