Project Overview
The construction of the new tramline connecting Tallinn Airport with the city’s seaport represents one of the most significant urban mobility projects in Estonia. The 2-kilometer extension was designed to improve passenger flow between two major transport hubs and to strengthen Tallinn’s overall public-transport infrastructure.
To ensure high durability, crack resistance, and long-term structural stability of the tramway slabs, Armotec polypropylene macrofiber was incorporated into the concrete mix throughout critical zones of the project.
Objectives
- Increase resistance to dynamic loading from tram and bus traffic
- Reduce early-age and long-term cracking
- Improve durability of concrete slabs exposed to constant vibration
- Extend service life and reduce maintenance frequency
- Ensure dimensional stability in high-load areas
Technical Specifications
Concrete Class
C35/45 — selected for its high compressive strength and suitability for heavy urban-transport structures.
Concrete Layer Thickness
- 200 mm under rails
- 150 mm between rails
These thicknesses were chosen based on structural load calculations for tram wheels, braking points, and bus-stop platform loads.
Armotec Fiber Dosage Strategy
- 4.0 kg/m³ under rails — for maximum load and vibration zones
- 3.0 kg/m³ between rails — for moderate dynamic loading
- 5.0 kg/m³ at bus stops — for heavy braking and vehicle stress
The selected fiber length, Armotec 40 mm, provided optimal crack-bridging capacity and enhanced post-crack ductility.
Results and Performance Improvements
- Enhanced Crack Resistance: significant reduction in shrinkage and structural cracking.
- Improved Durability: reinforced resistance to tram wheel impact and bus-stop loading.
- Lower Maintenance Needs: minimized reflective cracking and surface deterioration.
- Better Structural Stability: uniform load distribution due to 3D fiber reinforcement.
Execution
The project was completed by the contractor responsible for full-cycle civil works, including slab preparation, fiber-reinforced concrete pouring, rail installation, and surface finishing.
Armotec fibers were mixed directly at the batching plant, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the entire 2 km section.
Conclusion
The Tallinn Airport–Port tramline project demonstrates the effectiveness of Armotec polypropylene macrofiber as a high-performance reinforcement solution for modern urban transport infrastructure.
The optimized dosage strategy and fiber-enhanced concrete significantly improved structural durability, crack resistance, and long-term performance of tramway and bus-stop slabs.
Recommended products
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| Armotec Fibre | Fibermix Microfiber |