Three-dimensional numerical study of the reactive powder concrete segments in tunnel lining

Abstract The tunnel lining systems act as lines of defence against the forces and geotechnical situations. The use of precast concrete tunnel linings (PCTLs) has been escalating due to its effective and economical installation process. The tunnels usually suffer from the premature deterioration due to corrosion of the reinforcement and thus need maintenance. Corrosion leads to the distress in PCTL leading to the cracking and finally the scaling of concrete. This study aims to assess the structural durability performance of reactive powder concrete (RPC) as the material of tunnel lining segments compared to reinforced concrete (RC) and high performance concrete (HPC). The numerical findings indicated that the maximum load capacity of PRC-PCTL segments was greater than that of the corresponding RC and HPC segments. Regarding the findings, PRC is a very significant option for conventional segments. The high strength of PRC can decrease the thickness of the PCTL segments, resulting in the decreased material cost. Also, PRC-PCTL segments can eliminate the laborious and costly production of RC segments and mitigate the corrosion damage and thus enhance the service life of lining segments.