Evaluation of tensile properties of SFRC for TBM tunnel segment

Abstract

In order to reduce the amount of steel reinforcements in TBM tunnel segments, the use of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete(SFRC) is being tried. The steel fibers with higher aspect ratio than that used in tunnel shotcrete are preferred to compensate the deficiency in tensile strength of the segments. In this study, the tensile properties of SFRC with aspect ratio of steel fibers equal to 80 were evaluated through flexural test and Double Punch Test. In the results of flexural test, flexural strengths of the SFRC were increased about 30%~150% thanks to bond of steel fibers used to concrete and could be properly predicted by the equation proposed by Oh(2008). There was a great difference in the estimated direct tensile strengths of the SFRC by the equations presented in ACI and RILEM. It was found that the Double Punch Test could be suitable methodology to estimate the direct tensile strength presented in RILEM of the SFRC.