Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

GMC 472: Strength of Materials Lab

Instructor: Dr. Elie Abou Hamad
Parabolic Arc

1- Introduction:
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a
curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the
USEK GMC 472 Strength of Materials Lab

bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by

the abutments at either side. A viaduct (a long bridge) may be made
from a series of arches, although other more economical structures
are typically used today.
USEK GMC 472 Strength of Materials Lab

2-Objectives:
The objective of this experiment is to determine the reaction and the
deflection made by the arch, so that we can design a suitable bridge.
And we can observe the effect of the weight on the statics of this
bridge. We will also see how much force it will handle.

3-Experiment:

We obtain the following results:

2 weights of 11N each are required to get the bridge to its principle
position.
 Ax=22N
USEK GMC 472 Strength of Materials Lab

 Ay=22N
The deflection to the right is 9cm and downward around 6cm
4-Theoretical calculations:
The vertical deflection is: W=5/384*qL^4/EI
W=5.4mm
The horizontal deflection is equal to 7.3mm
 Wh=7.3mm
 Wv=5.4mm

5-Conclusion:
Error(h)=23%
Error(v)=11%
Theoretical ( h , v )−Experimental (h , v )
Error %=
Theoretical(h , v)

The error is unexpected knowing that the experiment was executed at

the finest level. The most probable cause of error is the old equipment
used like the deflection gage…