ARCHES

Arches are structures composed of curvilinear members resting on supports. They are used for large-

span structures, such as airplane hangars and long-span bridges. One of the main distinguishing features

of an arch is the development of horizontal thrusts at the supports as well as the vertical reactions, even

in the absence of a horizontal load. The internal forces at any section of an arch include axial

compression, shearing force, and bending moment. The bending moment and shearing force at such

section of an arch are comparatively smaller than those of a beam of the same span due to the presence

of the horizontal thrusts. The horizontal thrusts significantly reduce the moments and shear forces at

any section of the arch, which results in reduced member size and a more economical design compared

to other structures. Additionally, arches are also aesthetically more pleasant than most structures.

Features of an arch

Types of Arches

Based on their geometry, arches can be classified as semicircular, circular or parabolic, Based on the

number of internal hinges, they can be further classified as two-hinged arches, three-hinged arches, or

fixed arches,
Forces in an arch
Bending moment at point Q.

f = rise of arch. This is the vertical distance from the centerline to the arch’s crown.

x = horizontal distance from the support to the section being considered.

L = span of arch.

R = radius of the arch’s curvature.

VA = radial shear NA = normal thrust

Three hinged arch

The arches are widely used in modern engineering. Arches permit to cover a larger span. The
greater is the span than an arch becomes more economical than a truss. From esthetic point of
view the arches are more attractive than trusses. Materials of the modern arches are concrete,
steel, and wood. The body of the arch may be solid or consist of separate members. The arches
are classified as three-hinged, two-hinged, and arch with fixed sup-ports. A three-hinged arch is
geometrically unchangeable statically determinate structure which consists of two curvilinear
members, connected together by means of a hinge, with two-hinged supports resting on the
abutment

Two hinged arches

Statically indeterminate to first degree
Might develop temperature stresses.
Structurally more efficient.
Will develop stresses due to sinking of supports
Three hinged arches
Statically determinate
Increase in temperature causes increases in central rise. No stresses
Easy to analyse. But, in construction, the central hinge may involve additional expenditure.
Since this is determinate, no stresses due to support sinking
Example 1
A three hinged parabolic arch of span 20m and rise 5m. It is subjected to a point load of 10KN
acting at a distance of 5m from the left support
Draw SFD and BMD. Also determine radial shear and normal thrust under the point load

Solution

Applying equations of equilibrium

To find horizontal thrust (HA or HB) we take the moments at C which should be equal to zero
due to presence of a hinge

Use the Equations of an arch to find y at a distance of x=5m

To draw the bending moment diagram we have to find the moments at supports, at point load (D)
at the maximum bending moment.

To get the Maximum bending moment, we have to use the moment equation
Let the bending moment be maximum at distance x from support B
So at x= 5m the moment is maximum
Put the value of x=5 in the moment equation to get the maximum moment
Example 2

A three hinged arch has a span of 30m and a rise of 10m. The arch carries UDL 0f 0.6 kN/m on
the left half and 1kn at 5m and 10m from the right end.

Determine the resultant reactions at the supports

Solution
(Resultant Reactions)
Example 3

A parabolic 3-hinged arch carries an udl of 30kN/m on the left half of the span. It has a span of
16m and central rise of 3m. Determine the resultant reaction at supports. Find the bending
moment, normal thrust and radial shear at xx, and 2m from left support.
 (1) Reaction at A and B;

(i) Vertical components of reactions;

Taking moments about A,

-VB (16) + 30 x 82 /2 = 0

- VB (16) + 30 x 32 = 0 VB = 60 kN

VA = Total load -VB = 30 x 8 -60 kN VA = 180 kN

(ii) Horizontal components of reactions at A and B

2) Bending moment at x = 2m from A:

Bending moment = VA (2) -30 x 2 x 1 -HA(y) ---- (1)

Substitute in (1)y = 1.3125 m at x = 2m from A''.

Bending moment at x = 2m from A = 180 (2) -30 x2 x1 -160 x 1.3125

Bending moment at xx = 90 kNm

(3) Radial shear force at x = 2m from A

Shear force, RX = Vx cos ø-H sin ø Where,

V = Net vertical shear force at x = 2m from A = VA - w (2) = 180 -30 x 2
V = 120 kN
H = Horizontal shear force = 160 kN

(4) Normal thrust at x = 2m from A:

Normal thrust PN = Vx sinø+ H cos ø= 120 sin 29. 21'+160cos 29. 21'
PN = 198.28 kN

Example 4
A three hinged parabolic arch has a span of 20m and central rise of 4m. It carries loads as shown
Determine the reactions and resultant reactions at the supports and also find the moment, normal
thrust and radial shear at a section 5m from the left support. Also find the maximum positive
bending moment
Solution

Vertical reactions
Resultant reactions

Bending moment at 5m from the support

Normal thrust and radial shear