Post-Cracking Behaviour of Fibre-Reinforced Shotcrete: A Numerical Comparison between Beams and Panels

Fibre-reinforced shotcrete is an essential part of the support hard rock tunnels. Due to complexity design, a combination empirical and numerical analysis commonly used in design. The required dosage fibres for structural purposes determined based on minimum energy absorption or residual flexural strength. latter derived from tests beams, while tested panels. It widely known that beams suffer large scatter results due short fracture zone with natural variation number orientation which bridge crack. This impacts characteristic strength these negatively. paper presents study investigate how test method affects fibres. First, non-linear model continuum damage mechanics presented. Thereafter, tuned against A then simulate response panel vice versa. indicate size has significant effect post-cracking behaviour could be decreased if specimens longer zones, i.e., panels slabs, are used.