Design of fiber reinforced concrete segmental linings

The Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) is a composite material made of basic concrete in which a fiber reinforcement is incorporated and homogeneously distributed. Steel fiber’s addition in concrete controls plastic and hydraulic shrinkage cracking, considerably improves the concrete post-cracking behavior, depending on fibre characteristics, concrete matrix strength and dosage rate. The application and the use of this material in precast tunnel lining design is a growing trend due to its advantages in performance, durability and ease of manufacture compared to traditionally reinforced concrete. Nowadays, many standards have been published for the definition of the fibres characteristics, for the measuring of the FRC mechanical properties and for the design, production and control of the FRC structures.

Bruno Rossi, Senior Tunnelling Engineer in ArcelorMittal