journal article·2025-07-03Open access

A Study of the Flexural Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Anchored Shotcrete Single-Layer Lining in a Hard Rock Tunnel Based on the Thickness Ratio

Mengjun Wu, Zuliang Zhong, Miao Xu, Xuebing Hu, Kaixin Zhu, Peng Cao

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 13

Abstract

Aiming at the unclear bearing mechanism of the single-layer lining structure of high-performance fiber shotcrete under layered construction in the hard rock section of a highway tunnel, this paper studies the effect of different thickness ratios under layered construction on the flexural performance of the single-layer lining structure. Six types of thickness ratio specimens were subjected to a four-point bending test. The tests employed 3D digital image correlation technology to record and analyze the deformation and failure process of the specimens, and the calculation method of single-layer lining flexural stiffness was modified. The results indicate that the flexural ultimate load of the specimens is achieved at a thickness ratio of 2, which is 20.9% higher compared to a thickness ratio of 0. Layered construction affects the failure mode of the specimens. All specimens exhibit mixed-mode failure. However, with the increase in the thickness ratio, the percentage of flexural failure cracks gradually increases. Under layered construction, the reduction in the effective bending stiffness of fiber shotcrete beams becomes more pronounced as the thickness ratio increases. Based on these findings, the interface influence factor is proposed, and the flexural stiffness is corrected using composite beam theory.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures · Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis · Grouting, Rheology, and Soil Mechanics

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

China Merchants Chongqing Communications Technology Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd., Chongqing 400060, China

School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China

Funding

Fund of the National Engineering and Research Center for Mountainous Highways · Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing

References (48)

Show source-provided references
1. On the Limitations of Decoupled Approach for the Seismic Behaviour Evaluation of Shallow Multi-Propped Underground Structures Embedded in Granular Soils10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110497 ↗
2. Research on Key Technologies of TGP Advance Geological Prediction Data Collection
3. Research on the Target Reliability Index of Railway Tunnel Lining
4. Flexural Behavior of Unbonded Prestressed Concrete Composite Beams Manufactured with Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Lightweight Aggregate Concrete and Conventional Concrete10.1007/s40996-023-01297-2 ↗
5. Properties of High-Strength Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams in Bending10.1016/S0958-9465(98)00040-7 ↗
6. Effect of Different Steel Fiber Types on Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Performance Concrete10.1088/1757-899X/1167/1/012001 ↗
7. Tang, C.W. (2023). An Extended Special Issue on Advances in High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app131910688 ↗
8. Lifshitz Sherzer, G., and Ribakov, Y. (2025). Modeling Complex Material Interactions to Replicate and Uncover Mechanisms Driving the Performance of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Cylinders. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15073445 ↗
9. Prieto, T.G., Prieto, M.I., Leal, A., and Ferrández, D. (2025). Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Structures After Structural Failure. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15041783 ↗
10. Wang, Y., and Zhuang, X. (2025). Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Graded EPS–Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15041980 ↗
11. Experimental and Environmental Investigations of the Impacts of Wood Sawdust on the Performance of Reinforced Concrete Composite Beams
12. Experimental Investigation on Flexural Behavior of Hybrid Fibers Reinforced Recycled Brick Aggregates Concrete10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.08.033 ↗
13. Ramadan, R., Jahami, A., Khatib, J., El-Hassan, H., and Elkordi, A. (2023). Improving Structural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Phragmites Australis Fiber and Waste Glass Additives. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app13074206 ↗
14. Mahmood, A., Noman, M.T., Pechočiaková, M., Amor, N., Petrů, M., Abdelkader, M., Militký, J., Sozcu, S., and Hassan, S.Z.U. (2021). Geopolymers and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Composites in Civil Engineering. Polymers, 13.10.3390/polym13132099 ↗
15. Blikharskyy, Z., Markiv, T., Turba, Y., Hunyak, O., Blikharskyy, Y., and Selejdak, J. (2023). Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Air-Entrained FRC Containing Zeolitic Tuff. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app13169164 ↗
16. Lalinde, L.F., Mellado, A., Borrachero, M.V., Monzó, J., and Payá, J. (2022). Durability of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) Containing a High Proportion of Pozzolans. Appl. Sci., 12.10.3390/app12073696 ↗
17. Ahmad, J., Zaid, O., Pérez, C.L.-C., Martínez-García, R., and López-Gayarre, F. (2022). Experimental Research on Mechanical and Permeability Properties of Nylon Fiber Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Mineral Admixture. Appl. Sci., 12.10.3390/app12020554 ↗
18. Exploring the Effects of Cementitious Capillary Crystalline Waterproof Material on the Properties of Cement with/without Mineral Admixture: A Comparison of Rheology, Hydration Process, and Self-Healing Behavior10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140546 ↗
19. Experimental and Numerical Study on Flexural Behavior of Prefabricated Bottom Slabs with Rabbeted Grouting Splicing Joints10.1016/j.istruc.2024.107755 ↗
20. Experimental Study of the Two-Way Mechanical Behavior of Tightly Spliced Prestressed Reinforced Concrete Laminated Slab10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-13472 ↗
21. Experimental study on the stress characteristics of single-layer lining of steel fiber reinforced concrete tunnels considering interlayer effects
22. Mitroulis, K., Mellios, N., Spyridis, P., and Bergmeister, K. (2023). Composite Action in Tunnel Linings by Use of Shear Connectors in Concrete Interfaces. Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems, CRC Press.10.1201/9781003323020-277 ↗
23. Study on composite surface of waterproof single-layer lining by tests
24. Nonlinear Analysis of Full-Range Bending Process of Prefabricated and Cast-in-Place Concrete Composite Beams Considering Interface Debonding10.1016/j.istruc.2025.108588 ↗
25. Nonlinear Fatigue Analysis Model of Prefabricated Concrete Composite Beams with Wet Connection Considering Interface Debonding under Cyclic Loading10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.119741 ↗
26. Utilizing Composite Action to Achieve Lining Thickness Efficiency for Sprayed Concrete Lined (SCL) Tunnels
27. Mechanical Characteristics of Lining Structure Considering the Contact Effect between Composite Lining Layers
28. Mechanical Behavior of Composite Shell Lining Structures Based on Cohesion Models10.1007/s12205-024-0470-4 ↗
29. Static Analysis of Laminated Composite Beams Based on Higher-Order Shear Deformation Theory by Using Mixed-Type Finite Element Method10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2017.06.013 ↗
30. Solution to Bi-Layer Beams on Elastic Foundation
31. Solutions of Double-Layer Plates with Two-Way Spring Interlayers on Elastic Foundations
32. Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Prefabricated Timber-Concrete Composite Beams with and without Prestress10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109901 ↗
33. Flexural Behaviour and Cost Effectiveness of Layered UHPC-NC Composite Beams10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.115060 ↗
34. The Optimal Rubber Layer Height of Crumb Rubber Concrete Sandwich Beam
35. Flexural Performance of Layered ECC-Concrete Composite Beam10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.11.024 ↗
36. Flexural Performance of 3D-Printed Composite Beams with ECC and Recycled Fine Aggregate Concrete: Experimental and Numerical Analysis10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.115865 ↗
37. Flexural Behaviors of GFRP-Reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC)-Concrete Composite Beams10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120097 ↗
38. Zaki, Y., Abouhussien, A., and Hassan, A. (2025). Acoustic Emission Analysis of the Cracking Behavior in ECC-LWSCC Composites. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15020594 ↗
39. Experimental and Theoretical Study on Flexural Performance of Reinforced Bamboo-Concrete Composite Beams10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.119503 ↗
40. Xiamen City Construction Science Research Institute Group Co., Ltd., and Xiamen Tefang Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd (2016). JGJ/T 372-2016 Technical Specification for Application of Sprayed Concrete, China Architecture & Building Press.
41. Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport (2021). Test Methods of Cement and Concrete for Highway Engineering, People’s Traffic Publishing House Co., Ltd.
42. Norwegian Concrete Association (2024). Sprayed Concrete for Rock Support: NB 7E, Norwegian Concrete Association.
43. Application of Composite Lining Technology in Mining Method Tunnels
44. Study on the Mechanical Characteristics of Tunnel Single-Layer Lining Structure Based on FLAC3D
45. (2007). Standard Test Method for Flexural Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam with Third-Point Loading) (Standard No. ASTM C1609/C1609M-07).
46. Systematic Evaluation of Cracking Behavior in Specimens Containing Single Flaws under Uniaxial Compression10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.03.006 ↗
47. Finite Element Analysis of Failure Modes of Blast-Loaded R/C Beams
48. The compressive strength and establishment its prediction model of concrete with recycled coarse aggregates from different sources