Arches

Theory of Structure - I

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Contents

Introduction to Three Hinged Arches

General Proof
Parabolic Arch

Circular Arch
Practice Problems
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Introduction

Arch is a curved structure or humped beam, primarily bears the applied loads by compression. The hinge introduced anywhere in the arch makes the structure determinate as

Both supports are assumed to be hinged Hinge introduced in the arch provides a further equation to analyze the arch i.e., moment of all forces about hinge is equal to zero.
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Introduction

Normally the third hinge is introduced at the top most point on the arch curve known as crown.
Hinge at Crown

yc= Rise

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l = Span

Introduction

One can solve the arch as beam if we know the horizontal reactions at various supports. With the help of third hinge, we can easily determine the horizontal reactions and hence the arch can be analyzed.

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Arch Formulas

Consider an arch ACB, hinged at A, B and C. l is the horizontal span and yc is central rise.
C
Hinge at Crown

yc= Rise A B

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l = Span

Arch Formulas

Obtain the vertical reactions VA and VB at the ends as usual. To find the horizontal thrust, MC the moment at central hinge must be zero.

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General Derivation

To find H the horizontal thrust, Mc the moment at central hinge C must be known. We can find moment at any cross-section X of the arch whose coordinates are (x, y).

M c c H . yc 0 H

c
yc

(1)

M x x H . y ( 2)

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General Derivation

The vertical and horizontal actions on the section, considering the portion AX arc, Vertical reaction can be find out by vertical shear force at the section as for a straight horizontal beam. Horizontal thrust at both ends is same.

V VA W 1 W 2 H H
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General Derivation
P W2 W1 X C yc H

y H V A

P H cos V sin (3) F H sin V cos (4) CED, UET, Taxila

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General Derivation

Draw the tangent at X to the centre-line of the P H cos V sin (3) arch and let its inclination to the F H sin V cos (4) horizontal must be . Resolving V and H normally to the section T V 2 H 2 ..or.. P 2 F 2 (5) and tangentially, ( i.e., along the tangent at X) If the resultant T is required, use eq.5
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Parabolic Arch

If the three hinged arch is parabolic in shape and if it carries a uniformly distributed load over the entire span,

every action of the arch will be purely in compression, resisting only a normal thrust; there will be no shear force nor B. M. at the section.

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Parabolic Arch

The linear arch for a given load system on an arch represents the -diagram. With a uniformly distributed load over the entire span, the -diagram is a parabola. The linear arch which is parabolic will, then, have three points (at the hinges) in common with the centre-line of the actual arch, which is also parabolic.
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Parabolic Arch

The linear arch will therefore be identical with the actual arch. For any other loading on a parabolic arch, there will be three straining actions, P , F and M at any section. To obtain the bending moment, it will be necessary to calculate the rise at any section of the arch.
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Parabolic Arch
y .x(l x); cons. l x , y yc 2 l l It may also be noted yc . . that at quarter 2 2 points, where x=l/4, 4 yc 2 the rise = yc l 4 yc y 2 x(l x) l 4 yc dy tan 2 (l 2 x) dx l

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Circular Arch
C X y A x D Y yc B

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Circular Arch

If the centre-line of the arch is a segment of a circle of radius R, it is more convenient to have the origin at D, the middle of the span. Let (x, y) be the coordinates of a section.

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Circular Arch
l2 AO OB R yc ( 2 R y c ) 4 l AD l AD DB sin 2 AO 2 R DC yc OD ( R yc ) OY OD DY ( R yc ) y cos AO R XY x x OX sin R sin OX 2 OY 2 XY 2 y OY OD R cos R cos R 2 x 2 {(R yc ) y}2 y R(cos cos )
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Example 01

A three hinged Parabolic arch, at the crown and springings has a horizontal span of 48ft. It carries UDL of .75 Ton/ft run over the left hand half of the span. Rise = 10. Calculate the

Reactions Normal Thrust Shear force and BM at 6, 12, 30ft from left hinge.

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0.75 ton/ft

yc= 10ft
A B

l = 48ft
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Solution
VA = 13.5 T; VB = 4.5 T; H = 10.8 T y = 5/288*x(48-x), = 5/288*(48-2x)

x 6 12 30

y 4.375 7.5 9.66

32o 22o37 11o46

cos 0.848 0.923 0.979

sin 0.529 0.348 0.203

M -20.25 -27 20.25

V 9 4.5 4.5

P 13.93 11.7 11.49

F 1.91 0 2.2
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Example 02

Circular arch of span 80 ft with central rise 16 ft is hinged at crown and supports. Carries a point load of 10 tons 20ft from left support.

Reactions Normal Thrust Maximum and Minimum BM

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Solution
VA = 7.5 T; VB = 2.5 T;

H = 6.25 T
yc(2R-yc)=l2/4, R2=x2+{y+(R-yc)}2

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Practice Problems

Mechanics of Structures By S. B . Junnarkar Chapter 5, Examples 1 to 4.

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