Analytical study of anomalies in tunnel lining thickness: Critical temperature variations

In recent years, the scientific community has developed increasingly innovative, automated, and non-invasive techniques to indirectly assess structural conditions. One of the main reasons is the challenge related to ageing infrastructures approaching the end of their service life. Several monitoring campaigns carried out with the use of non-destructive surveys such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) have revealed the presence of anomalies in the lining thickness of many Italian tunnels. This study proposes an analysis of the state of stress of the concrete lining of tunnel sections with thickness anomalies which are subject to significant temperature fluctuations. The research related critical anomaly thickness values as a function of thermal fluctuations and loads on these areas of the lining. This can enable parametric management of tunnel management companies’ databases so that hazardous situations can be identified using artificial intelligence algorithms, making this type of method competitive in terms of time and cost.