Minimum-work methods may provide a useful way to examine mountain-building processes. Here we present forward models of crustal deformation in which faults form along paths that minimize the total (frictional and gravitational) work associated with slip. Our numerical model produces thrust wedges analogous to the wedges produced by viscous models but with explicit fault paths rather than diffuse internal deformation. The model reproduces the general geometry of real compressional belts, highlighting the basic competition between friction and topography (gravitational work) which may drive the evolution of orogenic zones. In particular, we replicate observed geologic features such as dendritic faulting patterns, thin-skinned thrust systems, and back thrusting. While some modeled features differ from observations, the results suggest that for many applications minimum work may be a good approximation for macroscale crustal deformation. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union