Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Behavior of NC Linings in consideration of Voids and Lining Thinning

The presence of voids or lining thinning directly affects the mechanical behavior of linings, and these defects threaten the safety of tunnel operation. In this study, a series of 1/5-scale model tests was used to investigate the mechanical behavior of normal concrete (NC) linings in consideration of voids and combined defects. Test results showed that the void and combined defects substantially reduced the load-bearing capacity and deformation properties of the linings. The inelastic mechanical behavior of the linings was also significantly affected by the defects. The effects of lining defects located at the spandrel were slightly weaker than those of lining defects located at the crown. As the void size or degree of combined defects increased, the tensile strain at the location of the lining defects also increased. Therefore, the defect position of the linings was easily damaged. The defects considerably reduced the overall deformation of the linings but increased the local deformation. The distribution of lining cracks was concentrated at the defect position. In addition, different failure characteristics of the lining were observed due to the differences in defects.

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