Construction methodologies and structural performance of tunnel linings. Optimisation of the structural, technological and functional performance, of construction methodologies and materials, in tunnel linings

This book aims to give a general survey on the main results obtained in the National Research Project (PRIN 2006) on tunnel linings “Optimization of the Structural, Technological and Functional Performance of Construction Methodologies and Materials in Tunnel Linings” (PRIN 2006), financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR). The research was carried out within five different Universities spread all over the Country, namely: Brescia, Lecce, Politecnico di Milano, Parma and Politecnico di Torino, for a total budget of about 250.000 euros. Five Research Units (RU) were involved because their specific experience in the fields of tunnel linings. In particular: (RU1) the Department DICATA of the University of Brescia and the Department of Innovation Engineering of the University of Salento (Lecce) have experience in the field of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and in the optimization of structural behaviour of segmental lining; (RU2) Department DITAG of Politecnico di Torino has been working on conventional and mechanized tunnels and on the soil-structure in-teraction; (RU3) Department DISTR of Politecnico di Torino did research on the soil-structure interaction and on the structural optimization of final lining in conventional tunnels; (RU4) Department DIS of Politecnico di Milano has been active in the field of mechanical properties of concrete under high temperatures and on the fire resistance of high performance concrete while (RU5) Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Parma did several research studies on nonlinear analyses of reinforced concrete and developed a specific model for FRC based on fracture mechanics. The book summarizes the main aspects arose during the development of the research project. General issues concerning tunnel linings, both conventional and segmental, were investigated within the main objective of the research that was the improving of the knowledge on the structural behavior and the construction methodologies of these structures. Furthermore, general aspects concerning newer materials for use in tunnel linings are presented with particular reference to Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and Self Compacting Concrete (SCC).