Supporting your tunnel projects in our areas of expertise with state-of-the-art testing and calculation facilities. A comprehensive approach at all stages of the project.
Whatever the thermal load (ISO-834 standard curve, HCM, RWS, Eureka, real fire), we justify the expected fire performance of your products and structures.
Your projects
are our Concerns.

All laboratory tests are carried out at our site in Epernon (60 km from Paris), which is equipped with handling equipment adapted to the largest elements (25 T overhead crane).
The Fire Testing Centre is:
• A laboratory approved for fire resistance by the French Ministry of Interior;
• Accredited by COFRAC for fire resistance tests (accreditation N°1-0001 – scope available on www.cofrac.fr).


Fire behaviour of civil engineering structures.

• Numerical evaluation of the fire behaviour of structures
– – Numerical simulation with finite element tools
– Advanced calculations according to the Eurocodes and other standards (Model Code…)
– Evaluation of stresses in the structure to consider spalling
• Checking the spalling behaviour of concrete
– Objective: Validate a sacrificial thickness of concrete in accordance with the design
– Characterisation and assistance in the choice of concrete mixes
– Intermediate and full-scale spalling fire tests (as defined in the CETU guides)
– Measurement of spalling and temperature profiles
• Passive fire protection test
– EN 13381 standard series, CETU HCM reference
– Characterisation of passive fire protective products
– Measurement of temperatures at the protection/structure interface
• Fire resistance testing of partitioning elements
– Large partitions (up to 6 m x 4 m) according to EN 1364-1
– Shafts seals according to EN 1366-3
– Linear joint seals according to EN 1366-4
Verification of
tunnel segment design.
tunnel segment design.

• Room temperature and high temperature characterisation of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC)
• Scale 1 tunnel segment bending tests
• Scale 1 tunnel segment tests under thrust of tunnel boring machines
– Thrust frame up to 1,800 tonnes
• Tunnel segment fire resistance tests, scale 1
– Vertical and horizontal mechanical loading, variable during the test
– Displacement and temperature measurement
– Configurations with tunnel segment joints


Equipment fire
resistante.

• Fire resistance testing of ventilation and smoke control equipment
– Ventilation and smoke control ducts (EN 1366-1/-8/-9)
– Smoke control dampers (EN 1366-2 and EN 1366-10)
• Fire behaviour tests of sound traps (acoustic baffles) and dampers
– Our ventilation platform:
Extraction rate of 100,000 m3/h
Up to 4 m x 3 m internal cross-section
• Fire resistance tests of fire doors
– EN 1634-1
– Justification of large doors
– Test bay up to 6 m x 4 m
In Situ tests and measurements:
evaluation of the ventilation
and smoke control systems.
evaluation of the ventilation
and smoke control systems.

• Specific thermo-aerodynamic metrology.
• Controlled generation of smoke and heat, adapted to the type of structure and the smoke control strategy.
• Measurements and recordings: gas velocities, temperature, pressure, sound levels, weather conditions, HD video, thermal camera video.
• Expertise of the results obtained.
