Proposed EN 1992 tension lap strength equation for good bond

The paper is concerned with the design of tension laps in reinforced concrete structures. The most recent codified design recommendations for reinforcement laps and anchorages are found in fib Model Code 2010 (MC2010). These recommendations have heavily influenced the draft revision of EN 1992 which is due for publication in 2023. The draft EN 1992 proposal for tension laps is still under development with the main point of discussion being the basic multiplier required to achieve the level of safety prescribed by EN 1990. This is contentious since laps designed to MC2010 can be significantly longer than laps designed to EN 1992 (2004) which many UK designers consider excessive in comparison with previous UK practice. The paper examines the safety of tension laps and proposes a refined design equation for inclusion in the 2023 revision to EN 1992. The proposed design equation achieves the level of safety required by EN 1990 whilst giving lap and anchorage lengths more consistent with current practice than MC2010

Investigating the effect of tunnelling on existing tunnels

A major research project investigating the effect of tunnelling on existing tunnels has been completed at Imperial College London. This subject is always of great concern during the planning and execution of underground tunnelling works in the urban environment. Many cities already have extensive existing tunnel networks and so it is necessary to construct new tunnels at a level beneath them. The associated deformations that take place during tunnelling have to be carefully assessed and their impact on the existing tunnels estimated. Of particular concern is the serviceability of tunnels used for underground trains where the kinematic envelope must not be impinged upon. The new Crossrail transport line under construction in London passes beneath numerous tunnels including a number of those forming part of the London Underground networ

Experimental investigations of bolted segmental grey cast iron lining behaviour

The need for the research reported in this paper was driven by the Crossrail project in London for which new tunnels were constructed close to numerous existing operational tunnels of the London Underground (LU) network. This research is based on experimental work conducted on half-scale grey cast iron (GCI) tunnel lining segments with chemical composition similar to the Victorian age GCI segments in the LU network. This paper discusses the deformation behaviour of the bolted segmental lining under the influence of factors such as overburden pressure, bolt preload and presence of grommets at small distortions. The measured behaviour of the segmental lining is compared against the calculated response of a continuous lining based on the assumption of elasticity. The industry practice for tunnel lining assessment is to calculate the induced bending moment in the tunnel lining using an elastic continuum model, while adopting a reduced lining stiffness to take into account the presence of the joints. Case studies have recorded that both loosening and tightening of lining bolts have been used as mitigation measures to reduce the impact of new tunnel excavations on existing GCI tunnels. The experimental work on the half-scale GCI lining has shown that a bolted segmental lining behaves as a continuous ring under small distortions imposed when subjected to hoop forces relevant to the depth of burial of LU tunnels. In the presence of hoop force, joint opening was minimal and the magnitude of preload in the bolts had little impact on the behaviour of the lining. It is therefore concluded that disturbance of the bolts in existing tunnels is not recommended as a mitigation measure as in addition to being ineffective it is both time consuming and introduces the risk of damaging the tunnel lining flanges

Shear enhancement in RC cantilevers with multiple point loads

The shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams is enhanced by arching action when loads are applied to their top face within around twice the beam effective depth (d) of supports. Previous experimental investigations into shear enhancement have almost exclusively considered simply supported beams with single-point loads applied within 2d of supports. Such academic tests are unrepresentative of practice where loading and support conditions are usually more complex. For example, balanced cantilever cross-head girders of bridges and continuous beams can have multiple point loads applied to the flexural tension face within 2d of supports. Such cases have not previously been investigated experimentally. The paper describes an experimental program carried out to investigate shear enhancement in balanced cantilever beams subjected to pairs of concentrated loads within the failing shear span. The shear resistance of the cantilever beams was found to be slightly less than matching simply supported beams, with the difference greatest for beams without shear reinforcement. A strut and tie model is developed for cantilever beams with pairs of concentrated loads applied to the tension face within 2d of the supports. Measured beam strengths are also compared with the predictions of BS 8110, EC2, fib Model Code 2010 and nonlinear finite element analysis