Advantages and successes of pre-cast concrete segmental linings in hydropower tunnels

Pre-cast concrete segmental linings have been increasingly used for the design and construction of long hydropower tunnels around the world, as their advantages during the past nearly 50 years have continued to be recognized in the industry as a cost-effective and low-risk approach for hydraulic operations without excessive maintenance. Key advantages of the use of these segmental linings include improved hydraulics, durability against abrasion, simple pre-design and construction implementation, high quality control of fabrication, rapid installation for overall high productivity and shorter construction durations. This paper presents global examples of important projects and key design factors that have contributed to their success.