Spalling Mechanism: Key for Structural Fire Resistance of Tunnels
Author(s): |
B. B. G. Lottman
(Tunnel and Fire Safety Engineering, Witteveen+Bos, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
A. J. M. Snel (Tunnel and Fire Safety Engineering, Witteveen+Bos, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) F. J. Kaalberg (Department of Underground Infrastructure, Witteveen+Bos, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) C. B. M. Blom (Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands; Advisor for the Municipality of Rotterdam, The Netherlands) E. A. B. Koenders (Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany. Contact:) |
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Medium: | journal article |
Language(s): | English |
Published in: | Structural Engineering International, April 2021, n. 2, v. 31 |
Page(s): | 1-8 |
DOI: | 10.1080/10168664.2020.1796556 |
Abstract: |
The need to consider tunnel safety, especially with respect to fire, has been highlighted in the past by various severe tunnel fires that have occurred throughout Europe. This article provides a general overview of the current rules and regulations governing the fire resistance design of tunnel structures. Subsequently, the engineering perspective is presented, focusing on the assessment of fire severity and the resulting thermal loading on the tunnel structure, which may result in spalling of concrete. Thereafter, a scientific perspective is provided, reflecting recent advances made in numerical calculations with respect to the spalling mechanism. From the numerical results and comparison with observations from full-scale tests, it is concluded that thermal restraint is dominant for spalling. Spalling is triggered by the buckling of concrete layers loaded with strains imposed by temperature, which is a new perspective for future scientific research and innovative engineering solutions. |
Keywords: |
concrete fire safety engineering tunnel finite element model full-scale testing structural fire resistance spalling mechanism
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- About this
data sheet - Reference-ID
10577754 - Published on:
02/03/2021 - Last updated on:
03/05/2021