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Variable, full‐scale tester for tunnel linings
Author(s) -
Petraroia Diego N.,
Mark Peter
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
structural concrete
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1751-7648
pISSN - 1464-4177
DOI - 10.1002/suco.202000806
Subject(s) - serviceability (structure) , structural engineering , kinematics , engineering , classical mechanics , physics
This contribution presents a new tester for tunnel lining segments in the final serviceability load stage. It aims to concentrate the resources of testing laboratories on a single segment capturing most of the real conditions present in real tunnels. Its variability is presented, that is, the geometrical and mechanical configurations it can adapt to. Its performance is validated by means of a prototype test on a conventionally reinforced tunnel lining segment. Horizontal and vertical loads are applied simultaneously to simulate similar loading conditions as in real tunnels. To this end, three hydraulic cylinders are coupled, so that forces up to 5 MN in both directions can be applied. The external loads are introduced radially in a semi‐distributed manner at eight different points of the segment extrados. The kinematics recorded show a proper load distribution on the specimen. Moreover, it brings into light its weak spot, that is, the longitudinal joint.