Title:
Structural Behavior of Precast Reinforced Concrete Tunnel Segments with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars and Ties under Bending Load
Author(s):
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, Salaheldin Mousa, Hamdy M. Mohamed, and Brahim Benmokrane
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
119
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
307-319
Keywords:
bending load; cracking patterns and strains; design codes; experimental and analytical investigation; flexural and shear strength; glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and ties; load deflection; precast concrete tunnel segments (PCTL); reinforcemen
DOI:
10.14359/51734143
Date:
1/1/2022
Abstract:
Using glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement in precast concrete tunnel lining (PCTL) segments is a practical approach to overcome corrosion problems in underground tunnels. This study involved fabricating full-scale PCTL segments 3100 mm (122 in.) in length, 1500 mm (59 in.) in width, and 250 mm (10 in.) in thickness reinforced with curvilinear sand-coated GFRP bars and testing them under three-point bending load. The investigated parameters were the reinforcement type (GFRP and steel) and reinforcement ratio (0.48, 0.9, and 1.3%) with different configurations of GFRP bar spacing and size. The structural performance of the tested PCTL segments was evaluated in terms of cracking behavior, failure mechanism, load-deflection curve, strain analysis, and deformability. The test results indicate that the structural performance of GFRP-reinforced specimens under bending load was satisfactory in terms of cracking and deflection behavior at service load, ultimate load-carrying capacity, ultimate deflection, and deformability. In addition, increasing the reinforcement ratio changed the failure mode while enhancing the load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and cracking behavior. Lastly, an analytical investigation was conducted to evaluate the ACI 440.1R design provisions for predicting the flexural strength, shear capacity, and crack width of GFRP-reinforced PCTL segments. The experimental and analytical results are presented and discussed herein. The test results and outcomes of this study can serve in assessing and exploring the feasibility of using curvilinear GFRP bars in precast concrete tunnel segments in underground tunnel applications.