ABSTRACT
The life cycle of a precast concrete segmental ‘ring’ must be based on a series of considerations: first of all, the logistics involved in moving the segments to the final installation point while complying with safety requirements relevant to all steps of the lining process. Once installed and during operations, regular maintenance should be carried out with the aim of guaranteeing ring performance over the entire life of the infrastructure. The mechanized excavation of more than 45 km of the Brenner Base Tunnel, with overburdens up to 1,700 m, has provided significant experience of the particular characteristics of employing segmental ring linings.
