ARCH MASONRY

CALCULATIONS
 The quantities of masonry work in arch is calculated by multiplying the mean length of arch by breadth of wall and by the thickness of
arch. In case of culvert the quantity of arch masonry work is equal to the “length of arch face to face” x “mean length of arch” x
”thickness of arch”. 1
a) Segmental arch with span and angle given.- Arch of span S subtending an angle θ at the
centre. s=span, θ=angle at the center, r=radius,

rm = mean radius,
lm= mean length of arch, t=thickness of arch,
b= breadth of wall,
Q= lm x b x t
We know,
lm / 2π rm = θ/360°

l = 2πr θ/360°
m m

also rm= r+(t/2) sinθ/2 =

(s/2)/r,
r= s/(2sin(θ/2))

so, rm= {s/(sin(θ/2))} +

{t/2}
lm=π{[s/sin(θ/2)]+t}( θ/360°) so,

Q= (πθ/360°){[s/sin(θ/2)]+t}x b x t
EXAMPLE :

An arch of 2.50 span subtends an angle of 80° at the center. The thickness of arch is
30 cm and the breadth of wall is 40cm.
Calculate the quantity of arch masonry work.

Solution:

lm= π* (θ/360) *[{s/sin(θ/2)} + t]

= π* (80/360) *[{2.5/sin(40 °)}+0.3]

= 2.93 m

Therefore,
Quantity of arch masonry= 2.93*0.4*0.3
= 0.352 cum
 2
b) Segmental Arch of 60°- Arches over doors and windows are usually segmental subtending an angle of 60° at the center.
60° arch forms an equilateral triangle on the span with radii
lm = mean length of arch, rm= mean radius,

s=span, r=radius,

r=s, and rm= r + (t/2)

lm/2πrm =60°/360°=1/6
lm=(1/3)πrm = (1/3)π{r+(t/2)}= (1/3) π{s+(t/2)}
Q= l x b x t
m

Q= (1/3)π{s+(t/2)}bt
EXAMPLE :

Calculate the quantity of brickwork in a 60° arch over a door of 1.2m width. The
arch is 20 cm thick and the thickness of the wall is 30cm.

Solution:

Θ= 60°,
s=1.2,
t=20cm=0.2m,
b=0.3m

Q= lm*b*t

= (1/3)*π*(r+t/2)*b*t

= (1/3)*π*(1.2+0.2/2)*0.3*0.2

= 0.082 cum
c) Segmental Arch with span and rise given-
r=radius of arch i.e. of Intrados, rm= radius of mean arc.

l=length of arch of intrados, lm=length of mean arc.

3
From similar figures-
lm/l=rm/r , OR lm=l*(rm/r)

lm={[r+(t/2)]/r}*l

To find l,
We have a relation from trigonometry,
l=[8b-2a]/3

where b=√(a2+h2) and a=s/2

to find r,
from trigonometry,
a2=h(d-h)
r=d/2, d= diameter of intrados

Finally, Q=lm*b*t
EXAMPLE 5 :
Calculate the quantity of brickwork in a segmental arch of 2.20m span, 50 cm rise and 30 cm
thick. The breadth of wall is 30 cm.

Solution:
lm= l*rm/r

a2=h*(d-h)
a= s/2 = 2.2/2 = 1.1m
h= 0.5m
1.12 = 0.5(d-0.5)
d= 2.92m

r= d/2 = 2.92/2 = 1.46m

rm= r + t/2 = = 1.46 + 0.3/2 = 1.61m

l= (8b - 2a)/3
b2= a2+h2= 1.12 + 0.52
b= 1.21m

l= (8*1.21–2*1.1) /3 = 2.49m
lm= 2.49*1.61/1.46 = 2.75m

Qm= lm*b*t
= 2.75*0.3*0.3
= 0.247 cum
d.) Semi-circular Arches-

4
s=span, r=radius of each,
rm= mean radius, h= rise,
lm=mean length of arch

radius r=s/2,Rise h=s/2,

mean radius rm= r+(t/2)= (s/2) + (t/2)

mean length of arch l =πr
m =(22/7)*{(s/2)+(t/2)}
m

Quantity of arch masonry Q=lm*b*t.

EXAMPLE :

Calculate the quantity of brickwork in a semi-circular arch of

2.0m span. The thickness of arch is 30 cm and the breadth of wall
is 40cm.

Solution:

Q= π *(s/2 + t/2)*b*t

= 22/7 * (2/2 + 0.3/2) *0.3*0.4

=3.14 *(1 + 0.15)*0.3*0.4

= 0.433 cum
e.) flat arches- May be used over doors and windows for small spans, but a small camber should be given.
Flat arch usually subtends an angle of 60° at the center and forms an
equilateral triangle,
Inclined thickness of arch at the springing point
t1=t/sin60°=t/.866=1.15t

Mean length of arch lm=s+(t1/2)

Quantity of arch masonry work Q=lm*b*t

For practical purposes t1 may be considered is equal to t and mean
length of arch may be taken as,

Lm=s+(t/2)
EXAMPLE :

Calculate the quantity of arch work in a flat arch over a door of 1.2m width.
The thickness of arch is 30cm and breadth of the wall is 30cm.

Solution:

S= 1.20 m, t1 = t/ Sin 60 ° = 1.15 t = 1.15 x .30 = 0.345 m

Mean length lm = s+t1/2 = 1.20 +0.345/2 = 1.372 m

Q= lm*b*t

= 1.372*0.3*0.3

= 1.23 cum
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