Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 105838 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology |
| Volume | 151 |
| Early online date | 7 Jun 2024 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2024 |
Abstract
Segmental joints in tunnel linings are considered weak points due to their limited tensile strength and poor crack resistance. Ultra-high toughness concrete (UHTC) offers a solution to these issues, thanks to its exceptional tensile strength, outstanding crack resistance, and impressive durability. However, the application of UHTC in tunnel segmental joints remains underexplored. To assess its suitability, this paper conducted comprehensive full-scale tests on UHTC and traditional reinforced concrete (RC) segmental joints. The study analyzed the mechanical properties of UHTC and RC joints, including material characteristics, segmental deflection, joint behavior, bolt strain, damage propagation, and failure modes. The results showed that: (1) UHTC joints exhibited superior stable bearing capacity, exceeding that of RC joints by 25 %, with a 42 % higher initial cracking strength. (2) UHTC joints also demonstrated excellent crack control, maintaining crack widths below 0.2 mm and preserving structural integrity. In contrast, RC joints experienced extensive cracking, leading to concrete fracture and spalling. (3) UHTC joints displayed remarkable toughness, surpassing RC joints by 2.48 times during the elastic growth stage and 1.55 times in the plastic stable growth stage. Meanwhile, UHTC joints exhibited 1.47 times greater ductility than RC joints. (4) Considering multi-scale mechanical effects, UHTC joints enhanced the toughness and strength advantages of UHTC over RC by over 30 % during the elastic stage. These findings highlight the potential of UHTC in shield tunnel construction, especially in challenging environments like high ground stress areas and earthquake fault zones.
Keywords
- Crack control, High toughness, Segmental joint, UHTC
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
- Building and Construction
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
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In: Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 151, 105838, 09.2024.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Mechanical behavior of ultra-high toughness concrete (UHTC) tunnel segmental joints
AU - Cai, Minjin
AU - Zhu, Hehua
AU - Chen, Qing
AU - Rabczuk, Timon
AU - Zhuang, Xiaoying
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Segmental joints in tunnel linings are considered weak points due to their limited tensile strength and poor crack resistance. Ultra-high toughness concrete (UHTC) offers a solution to these issues, thanks to its exceptional tensile strength, outstanding crack resistance, and impressive durability. However, the application of UHTC in tunnel segmental joints remains underexplored. To assess its suitability, this paper conducted comprehensive full-scale tests on UHTC and traditional reinforced concrete (RC) segmental joints. The study analyzed the mechanical properties of UHTC and RC joints, including material characteristics, segmental deflection, joint behavior, bolt strain, damage propagation, and failure modes. The results showed that: (1) UHTC joints exhibited superior stable bearing capacity, exceeding that of RC joints by 25 %, with a 42 % higher initial cracking strength. (2) UHTC joints also demonstrated excellent crack control, maintaining crack widths below 0.2 mm and preserving structural integrity. In contrast, RC joints experienced extensive cracking, leading to concrete fracture and spalling. (3) UHTC joints displayed remarkable toughness, surpassing RC joints by 2.48 times during the elastic growth stage and 1.55 times in the plastic stable growth stage. Meanwhile, UHTC joints exhibited 1.47 times greater ductility than RC joints. (4) Considering multi-scale mechanical effects, UHTC joints enhanced the toughness and strength advantages of UHTC over RC by over 30 % during the elastic stage. These findings highlight the potential of UHTC in shield tunnel construction, especially in challenging environments like high ground stress areas and earthquake fault zones.
AB - Segmental joints in tunnel linings are considered weak points due to their limited tensile strength and poor crack resistance. Ultra-high toughness concrete (UHTC) offers a solution to these issues, thanks to its exceptional tensile strength, outstanding crack resistance, and impressive durability. However, the application of UHTC in tunnel segmental joints remains underexplored. To assess its suitability, this paper conducted comprehensive full-scale tests on UHTC and traditional reinforced concrete (RC) segmental joints. The study analyzed the mechanical properties of UHTC and RC joints, including material characteristics, segmental deflection, joint behavior, bolt strain, damage propagation, and failure modes. The results showed that: (1) UHTC joints exhibited superior stable bearing capacity, exceeding that of RC joints by 25 %, with a 42 % higher initial cracking strength. (2) UHTC joints also demonstrated excellent crack control, maintaining crack widths below 0.2 mm and preserving structural integrity. In contrast, RC joints experienced extensive cracking, leading to concrete fracture and spalling. (3) UHTC joints displayed remarkable toughness, surpassing RC joints by 2.48 times during the elastic growth stage and 1.55 times in the plastic stable growth stage. Meanwhile, UHTC joints exhibited 1.47 times greater ductility than RC joints. (4) Considering multi-scale mechanical effects, UHTC joints enhanced the toughness and strength advantages of UHTC over RC by over 30 % during the elastic stage. These findings highlight the potential of UHTC in shield tunnel construction, especially in challenging environments like high ground stress areas and earthquake fault zones.
KW - Crack control
KW - High toughness
KW - Segmental joint
KW - UHTC
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195182844&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tust.2024.105838
DO - 10.1016/j.tust.2024.105838
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85195182844
VL - 151
JO - Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology
JF - Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology
SN - 0886-7798
M1 - 105838
ER -