A modelling approach for joint rotations of segmental concrete tunnel linings

This paper presents an approach to determine the nonlinear bending moment - rotation relations for longitudinal joints of segmental concrete tunnel linings with flat concrete contact areas based on the rules for confined concrete and partially loaded areas according to Eurocode 2. It is demonstrated that the resulting bending moment - rotation relations show better agreement with experimental data than other approaches from the literature. The proposed approach allows to establish the bending moment - rotation relations for both serviceability limit state (SLS) and ultimate limit state (ULS) and thereby a tunnel lining design consistent with Eurocode 2. The practical implications for the design concept of tunnel linings are discussed.