Precast tunnel segments reinforced by macro-synthetic fibers

Within this framework, the present study investigates the possibility of using polypropylene (PP) fiber reinforcement in hydraulic precast tunnel segments by means of an experimental program on six full-scale segments of Monte Lirio hydraulic tunnel (Panama). Three different reinforcement solutions were studied both under flexure and point load test: typical conventional reinforcement generally adopted in practice (reference samples, RC); PP fibers only (PFRC specimens); combination of PP fibers and conventional reinforcement (hybrid solution, RC + PFRC segments). Based on the loading configurations considered, experimental results showed that PP fibers (with or without reinforcing bars, depending on loading conditions) represent an efficient reinforcement for hydraulic precast tunnel segments. PP fibers can be used as flexural, splitting and minimum shear reinforcement, while concerning the spalling reinforcement, only PP fiber reinforcement could be used even if the combination with conventional reinforcement (hybrid solution) guarantees a better control of spalling cracks for high load levels.