A CASE HISTORY ON THE USE OF ELECTRO-WELDED STEEL MESH PANELS TO INCREASE TUNNEL LINING PRODUCTION RATES

摘要

Due to high inner water pressures, the Chiascio water supply tunnel design required double lining: an outer segmental lining, as standard with TBM excavated tunnels, and a second inner reinforced concrete shell. Reinforcement with low weight electrowelded steel mesh panels was adopted to industrialise steel bar placement. Compared to standard placement of steel bars, this innovative choice almost quadrupled production of steel bar placement and also significantly increased concrete pouring rates.