INVESTIGATION OF STEEL TUNNEL SUPPORTS

A series of 18 steel ribs with 10 ft-radius arches and 7-ft straight legs were tested to investigate the effect of loading geometry, eccentricity of load, and various section shapes used for making the ribs. It was found that symmetrical loading about the rib center line gives higher rib capacity and that closed section shapes resist eccentrically applied loads much more effectively. Square structural-tube ribs filled with concrete and one square structural tube rib with sleeve connections were tested. The practicality of using ribs made of closed-section telescoping segments is discussed. It is found that the greatest problem with ribs of this type is the tolerances required in the manufacture of sections that must slide within one another. Sleeve connections are evaluated and it is found that tolerances in section sizes are also a problem in making this type of connector practical. A study of steel rib behavior with variation of blocking stiffness and connection stiffness is described, using a computer analysis. These parameters were constant in the test series described above. Finally, results of the tests on ribs are compared with the analysis commonly used for design and is found to predict their behavior with reasonable consistency.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Urbana, IL  United States  61801

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • GAYLORD, E H
  • Paul, S L
  • Sinnamon, G K
• Publication Date: 1975-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 170 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arches; Commercial strips; Computers; Concrete; Construction; Construction joints; Crash investigation; Dislocation (Geology); Eccentricity; Fasteners; Loads; Sleeves (Electricity); Steel; Stiffness; Structural design; Studies; Tolerances (Engineering); Tunnel lining; Tunnel supports; Tunnels; Underground structures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Eccentric loading; Parameters; Ribbon development; Tunnel design
• Old TRIS Terms: Connectors; Ribs supports; Sleeves; Steel construction; Tolerances; Underground supporting
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00136906
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UILU-ENG-75-2012 Final Rpt., FRA/ORD-75/92
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FR-30022
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 22 1976 12:00AM