Fast Assessing Spalling Risk of Tunnel Linings Under RABT Fire: From a Coupled Thermo-hydro-chemo-mechanical Model Towards an Estimation Method

Explosive spalling, i.e. the violent splitting of concrete pieces from the fire-loaded surface, greatly jeopardizes the integrity of tunnel structures. The assessment of the spalling risk of fire-loaded tunnel linings is an essential part of the design of new tunnels and the evaluation of the fire safety of existing tunnels. In this work, the authors present an estimation method capable of fast assessing the spalling risk of RABT Guidelines for equipment and operation of road tunnels (Richtlinien für die Ausstattung und den Betrieb von Straßentunneln). Fire-loaded tunnel linings accounting for different concrete types and moisture contents. The estimation method is developed based on a well-established coupled thermo-hydro-chemo-mechanical (THCM) model. Furthermore, the authors also take advantage of the specific mechanic boundary conditions present in tunnel linings for simplifying the calculation model. Based on parameter studies covering a large range of concrete mixes and environmental conditions, empirical functions are developed to estimate the maximum pore pressure pᵍ max,all and the so-called “required initial tensile strength” f(RE)t0 for quantifying the spalling risk. By comparing the results of f(RE)t0 with experimental observations such as the area of spalling, the proposed estimation method is calibrated and a general criterion is presented for assessing the spalling risk. Finally, as an illustrative example, the spalling risk of an Austrian highway tunnel built in the 1970s is assessed with the presented estimation method.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.03.068
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029617310623
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01410296
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Zhang, Yiming
  • Zeiml, Matthias
  • Maier, Marcus
  • Yuan, Yong
  • Lackner, Roman
• Publication Date: 2017-7-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1-19
• Serial:
  • Engineering Structures
  • Volume: 142
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0141-0296
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01410296

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Concrete structures; Fires; Moisture content; Spalling; Structural analysis; Tensile strength; Tunnel lining; Vehicular tunnels
• Geographic Terms: Austria
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01633205
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 24 2017 10:59AM