1. Fama Spa provided gaskets and connection systems for the excavation of the Red Line North in Doha. 2. Measurements of 294 joints showed an average gap of 0.4mm and offset of 1.4mm, below project specifications of 5mm and 10mm respectively. 3. The SmartBlock connection system minimized divergence effects while providing sufficient pull-out and shear strength, ensuring proper dimensioning.

1. CASE HISTORY
DOHA RED LINE NORTH
-
CONTROL IN EXECUTION OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE OF
CONNECTION AND GASKET
Emissione Data Approvazione Progetto Rev.
S. LUPI 27/10/2014 G. BOMBEN DOHA RED LINE NORTH 1

2. CASE HISTORY
INTRODUCTION
Fama Spa is an Italian company operating since 1988 in design, certification,
manufacture of products for precast lining of tunnels.
Fama Spa is specialized in the development of sealing systems and a wide
range of accessories for the connection, lifting and anchoring systems for
the construction of tunnels with TBM.
For the excavation of the Red Line North di DOHA, FAMA SpA provided
gaskets and connection systems.
To complete a strategic path that began with the design and continued with
the certification through laboratory tests, with a campaign of
measurements, it was possible to document the performance of these
products in exercise.

3. CASE HISTORY
DOHA METRO RED LINE NORTH
DESIGN OF THE LINING
- UNIVERSAL RING 6+1
- KEY 1/3 OTHER SEGMENT
- EX. DIAMETER 6.770 mm
- IN. DIAMETER 6.170 mm
- THICKNESS OF CONCRETE 300 mm
- LENGTH OF CONCRETE 1.500 mm
- ANCHORED GASKET 26 x 17 mm
WITH HIDROPHYLIC STRIP
- 19 CONNECTORS FOR RING
(3 FOR EACH SEGMENT , 1 FOR THE KEY)
- GUIDE BAR AND BOLT ON THE RADIAL
JOINT

4. CASE HISTORY
EPDM SEALING GASKET
- UG027A
- ANCHORED GASKET 26 x 17 mm WITH
HIDROPHYLIC STRIP
- PRESSURE REQUIRED TO CONTRACT
 10 bar
 GAP 5 mm
 OFFSET 10 mm

5. CASE HISTORY
CONNECTION SYSTEM
- SMARTBLOCK 90-160/300-60
- PULL OUT 90 KN
- SHEAR STRENGTH 160 KN
- LENGTH 300 mm
- DIAMETER OF CENTERING 60 mm

6. CASE HISTORY
1. We want to calculate the current state of misalignment and separation of the joints between the
segments in the gallery;
2. The relief is performed with the use of two measurement gauges: one for the depth, with which
recalculate the offsets and one for the width of the slots for the recalculation of the gap;
3. The joints are first classified according to the orientation angle to the progress of the excavation;
4. Usually the relief is performed on a continuous succession of five joints, reached by the operator
that runs through the tunnel by foot. In case of severe anomalies the relief can be conducted on the
entire ring with the aid of suitable lifting equipment. The measuring block 5 of joints may, at the
operator's discretion, be repeated several times;
5. The sequence of measurements, if necessary, can be performed on the right side and on the left side
of the tunnel with reference to the direction of advance of the excavation;
6. May be conducted in the presence of detections punctual infiltration of water, in order to evaluate if
this is generated by an excessive misalignment, or spreading of the coupling or, finally, from other
causes;
7. If necessary measurements can be performed on the blocks, facing the opposite of progress to
compare with those initial misalignment stabilized along the tunnel.
PROCEDURE FOR DETECTION GAP AND OFFSET BETWEEN
THE JOINTS IN CONCRETE INTO THE TUNNEL

7. CASE HISTORY
PROCEDURE FOR DETECTION GAP AND OFFSET BETWEEN THE
JOINTS IN CONCRETE INTO THE TUNNEL
The measurements of gap and offset are performed at approximately 20
mm from the T joint, where the deviations from nominal are maximums.
MEASUREMENTS
OF GAP
MEASUREMENTS
OF GAP

8. CASE HISTORY
PROCEDURE FOR DETECTION GAP AND OFFSET BETWEEN
THE JOINTS IN CONCRETE
In the diagrams below are identified types of angles between segments of a
same ring adjacent each other refer to the direction of excavation.

9. CASE HISTORY
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
MEASURES OF GAP IN THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL JOINTS

10. CASE HISTORY
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
MEASURES OF GAP IN THE LONGITUDINAL JOINTS

11. CASE HISTORY
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
MEASURES OF OFFSET IN THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL JOINTS

12. CASE HISTORY
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
MEASURES OF OFFSET IN THE LONGITUDINAL JOINTS

13. CASE HISTORY
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
PICTURES OF THE TUNNEL

14. CASE HISTORY
ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CONNECTION SYSTEM
There have been 294 measurements of gap and offset.
The average weigth gain of the gap is 0.4 mm, the offset of 1.4 mm.
The requirements of the specifications of the Doha Metro Red Line North provide
a mounting tolerance of 5 mm on the opening of the joint (gap) and 10 mm on
the misalignment of the joint (offset). The connection system SmartBlock
allowed a mounting error is much lower than expected.
The connection system SmartBlock has minimized the effect of the divergence of
the longitudinal and circumferential joints generated by the thrust of the gasket.
The performance of the pull-out and shear of the SmartBlock are suited to the
conditions of employment, ensuring the correct dimensioning of the system.

15. CASE HISTORY
ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SEALING GASKET
The gallery of the DOHA METRO RED LINE NORTH is dry.
The gasket sealing UG027A has been tested at the University Tor Vergata for
the hydraulic performance requirements in the specifications of the project
Doha Metro Red Line North.
The gasket UG022A requires a load of 45 KN/m for its complete compression
facilitating, in fact, the permanence of the closed joint.
The geometry of UG022A well balanced between width and height and
angles conformed to the geometry of the concrete allow, during assembly of
the ring, to remain in its seat.