Optimized Energy Based Design of Tunnel Lining with Macro Synthetic Fiber Composites

Abstract

Energy absorption potential of fiber composites can be utilized for various applications especially where considerable deformations may be imposed to a structure. For underground structures such as tunnels where the media can impose such deformations, more flexibility of the support structure will result in less volume of the material requires or say a thinner structure. In order to provide higher energy absorption capacity in fiber reinforced composites, it is normally required to use more fiber content. However more use of fibers results in more cost and this leads to economical limitations. This research aims to introduce an optimized mix design with minimum possible fiber content while having the maximum possible energy absorption capacity. A series of laboratory tests were conducted with various additive and fiber contents to reach this goal. General recommendations for achieving the optimized results were proposed based on experimental results. Beam and panel tests were used to account for energy absorption capacity. The results of the optimized mixes were used to propose corresponding design chart for energy based design of tunnel lining.