BarChip fibre has been used for reinforcing underground construction for over 10 years. This highly engineered synthetic fibre has been developed to meet the highest toughness requirements demanded by the industry. Elasto Plastic Concrete has been the leader in the development of macro synthetic fibre, with its unique fully embossed BarChip fibre, giving performance to replace steel fibre or wire welded mesh in underground applications.
Major Infrastructure Applications:
BarChip fibre has replaced steel fibre for shotcrete reinforcement in many road and rail tunnels. The use of BarChip is of particular importance where the fibre may be subjected to corrosive conditions such as salt water or massive sulphides.
Project: Water Tunnel - Spain
Description: 7.0 km, 5.4 m diameter tunnel excavated by TBM
Over 500 km of underground development in Australia alone have benefitted from the performance of BarChip fibres for the reinforcement of primary shotcrete support.
Project: Motorway (E18 Grimstad - Kristiansand) - Norway
Description: Over 5.5 km twin bored tunnel excavated by drill and blast
BarChip fibre is used in secondary linings to provide excellent crack control and impact resistance.
Project: High Speed Rail Tunnel Spain
Description: 2.0 km tunnel excavated by roadheader with a cross section of 85 m²
BarChip fibres have been used in conjunction with traditional cage reinforcement or as the sole reinforcement in segmental linings to eliminate handling and placement damage to the segments.
Project: High Speed Rail Tunnel Spain
Description: 2.0 km,
9 m diameter tunnel excavated by TBM
Rail tunnels: Europe's high speed rail network is benefitting from BarChip fibres in both primary and secondary linings, enabling contractors to finish jobs quicker and more economically.
Road tunnels: The Norwegian road authorities have used BarChip fibres in numerous sub-sea road tunnels as an alternative to steel fibres, which would be potentially subjected to corrosion from water ingress.
Water tunnels and hydroelectric transfer systems: Numerous European nations now benefit from non-corrosive reinforcement in their water transfer structures, giving them longer life spans without repairs.
Docklands Light Railway (6.0 km) London
BarChip fibres offer a non-conductive reinforcement to increase track slab
performance.
Whatever the application method: dry or wet mix shotcrete, cast ināsitu linings, segmental
precast linings, BarChip fibres can provide the performance levels required by engineers and
the practicality of application demanded by contractors.
EPC's technical consultants can provide you with further guidance on the use of
BarChip fibres in underground applications. For more information or for a FREE TRIAL
please contact: