1

2.5 INDETERMINATE ARCHES

An arch may be defined as a plane-curved bar or rib supported
and loaded in a way that makes it act in direct compression.
For example, the structure in Fig. 2.8a is a parabolic
symmetrical arch that is loaded with a distributed load that
varies linearly over the span L of the arch. It is fixed at end A
and supported by an immovable hinge at end B. The horizontal
distance between the end supports of the arch is the span of the
arch, and the line AB joining its points of supports is the
springing line.

Fig. 2.8 (a) Parabolic arch of variable thickness loaded as

shown. (b) Parabolic arch loaded with redundant force X A,
redundant moment MA, and applied distributed loading. (c)
Free-body diagram of a segment of the arch.
For the arch in Fig. 2.8a, the span and springing lines of the
arch are the same because points A and B are at the same level
with respect to the y axis. The highest point C of the arch is the
crown, and an arch may be a symmetrical arch or an
unsymmetrical arch. If, for example, one end of the arch is
lower than the other, then the arch is unsymmetrical. Various
types of arches are shown in Figs. 2.9 and 2.10.

Fig. 2.9 Circular arches: (a) Fixed at one end and hinged at the
other. (b) Fixed at both ends. (c) Three-hinge arch. (d) Twohinge arch with supports at different elevation. (e) Two-hinge
arch.

It is assumed here that the plane of curvature of the arch rib is

also a plane of symmetry for each cross section of the arch, and
the externally applied loads are assumed to act only in this
plane. On this basis, we have a two-dimensional problem and
the deformation of the arch will take place in the plane of
symmetry. The maximum vertical distance from the springing
line to the arch axis, denoted as H in Fig. 2.8a, is the rise of the
arch.

2.4.1 Parabolic Arch of Variable Thickness

We consider the linearly elastic variable-thickness parabolic
arch in Fig. 2.8a that is loaded by a distributed load of
maximum intensity w0 and varying linearly over the span of
the arch. At any arc length s from support A, the moment of
inertia Is is assumed to vary as follows:
I s I c sec , cos

I c dx
ds I s

sec

I s ds
dx I c

(2.108)

where Ic is the moment of inertia at the crown C of the arch,

and
dy

dx

tan 1

(2.109)

Fig. 2.10 (a) Two-hinge parabolic arch. (b) Two-hinge elliptical

arch. (c) Two-hinge hollow arch. (d) Two-hinge with horizontal
tie. (e) Twin circular arch
Since the parabolic arch in Fig. 2.8a is statically indeterminate
to the second degree, the horizontal force XA and bending
moment MA at support A are taken as the redundants. On this
basis, the arch is reduced to one that is hinged at end B,
supported by roller at end A, and loaded as shown in Fig. 2.8b.
By considering a segment A0 of the arch as shown in Fig.
2.8c, the normal force Ns, shear force Vs, and bending moment
Ms at the end 0 of the segment may be determined by using the
three static equilibrium equations. For example, by taking
moments about the end 0 of the segment and assuming
counterclockwise moments as positive, we have
w0 x 3
w0 L M A
M

X
y

0 6 L
A
A
s
6L

(2.110)

Note that in Fig. 2.8c is the vertical reaction at end A in Fig.

2.8b, and it may be determined from this figure by using
statics. By solving Eq. (2.110), we find
w Lx
x

M s M A 1 X A y 0 (1 x 2 )
L
6

(2.111)

By setting equal to zero the sum of the forces in the

vertical direction, Fig. 2.8c, and assuming upward forces as
positive, we have
w0 L w0 x 2 M A
Fy 6 2 L L Vs cos N s sin 0

(2.112)

By setting equal to zero the sum of the forces in the horizontal

direction of the segment, we find
F X V sin N cos 0
(8.113)
The simultaneous solution of Eqs. (2.112) and (2.113) for Vs and
Ns yields
x

w0 L w0 x 2 M A

sin
2L
L
6
w L w x2 M
Vs X A sin 0 0 A cos
2L
L
6

N s X A cos

(2.114)
(2.115)

From Example 1.3 of Section 1.5, an equation analogous

to Eq. (10) may be written for the complementary strain
energy U of the parabolic arch. This equation is
U

2
2
s M
s KV
N s2
s
s
ds
ds
ds
0 2 EI
0 2GA
2 AE
s

(2.116)

where S is the arc length of the parabolic arch, A is its crosssectional area at any coordinate s, E is the modulus of
elasticity, G is the shear modulus, and K is the shear factor.
The shear factor K may be determined as shown in Example
1.3. For rectangular cross sections K is 1.2.
When the rise of the arch is large compared to its
thickness, say a ratio of 10 or larger, then the complementary
strain energy due to Ns and Vs would be small compared to the
one produced by Ms and it can be neglected. On this basis, Eq.
(8.116) yields
U

M s2
ds
2 EI s

(2.117)

The integrations in Eq. (2.116), or Eq. (2.117), may be

simplified by using the expression
ds

Is
dx
Ic

(2.118)

Thus, by substituting Eqs. (2.111) and (2.118) into Eq. (2.117),

we find
U

1
2 EI c

w0 Lx
x

2
M A 1 L X A y 6 (1 x ) dx

(2.119)

2.4.2 Additional Subjects and Methods

The values of the redundant force XA and redundant
moment MA may be obtained from the minimizing conditions
U
0
X A
U
0
M A

(2.120)
(2.121)

Application of Eqs. (2.120) and (2.121) yields

w Lx

M A 1 X A y 0 (1 x 2 ) ( y )dx 0

0
L
6

L
w0 Lx
1
x
x

2
0 2 EI c M A 1 L X A y 6 (1 x ) (1 L )dx 0

1
2 EI c

(2.122)

(2.123)
By considering the geometry of the arch in Fig. 2.8a, we
find
y

4 Hx
( L x)
L2

(2.124)

By substituting Eq. (2.124) into Eqs. (2.122) and (2.123) and

performing the required integrations, we obtain the following
two equations, which are in terms of the redundants XA and
MA:
16 HX A 10 M A w0 L2 0
120 HX A 120M A 7 w0 L 0
2

(2.125)
(2.126)

Simultaneous solution of Eqs. (2.125) and (2.126) yields

5w0 L2
72 H
w0 L2
MA
90
XA

(2.127)
(2.128)

With known XA and MA, the values of Ms, Ns, and Vs may
be determined from Eqs. (2.111), (2.114), and (2.115),
respectively. They are as follows:
w0 L2
x 5w L2 y w0 Lx

(1 x 2 )
1 0
90
L
72 H
6
w L w x 2 w L2
5w L2
N s 0 cos 0 0 0 sin
72 H
2L
90 L
6
w L w x 2 w L2
5w L2
Vs 0 sin 0 0 0 cos
72 H
2L
90 L
6
Ms

(2.129)
(2.130)
(2.131)

2.4.3 Semicircular Arch with Hinged Ends

We consider now the uniform semicircular arch in Fig. 2.11a
that is hinged at the support points A and B and loaded by a
uniformly distributed load w as shown. The moment of inertia
I is uniform throughout the arch. Since the arch is statically
indeterminate to the first degree, the horizontal reaction XA at
the end A is taken as the redundant. On this basis, we have an
arch that is hinged at end B, supported by roller at end A, and
loaded by the reactive force XA and applied load w as shown in
Fig. 2.11b.
By considering the free-body diagram of the arch segment
AC in Fig. 2.11c and applying the three static equilibrium
equations, the expressions for the normal force

Fig. 2.11 (a) Semicircular arch hinged at the end supports. (b)
Semicircular arch loaded with redundant force X A and applied
distributed load w. (c) Free-body diagram of a segment of the
arch.

2.4.4 Additional Subjects and Methods

Ns, shear force Vs, and bending moment Ms, may be

determined. For example, by setting equal to the sum of the
moments about point C of the segment, we find
M s wr 2 (1 cos ) X A r sin

wr 2
(1 cos ) 2
2

(2.132)

The static equilibrium equations in the horizontal and vertical

directions of the arch segment yield
wr wr (1 cos ) V s sin N s cos 0

(2.133)
(2.134)

X A Vs cos N s sin 0

Simultaneous solution of Eqs. (2.133) and (2.134) yields

(2.135)
V wr cos sin X cos
(2.136)
By considering only the complementary strain energy due to
bending and using Eq. (2.132), we find
N s X A sin wr cos 2
s

/2

U 2

EI

M s2
d
2 EI

/2

wr
2
wr (1 cos ) X A r sin 2 (1 cos ) d
2

The redundant reaction XA may be determined by using the

equation
U
0
X A

(2.137)

Equation (2.137) yields

2
EI

/2

2
wr (1 cos ) X A r sin

wr 2
(1 cos ) 2 ( r sin )d 0
2

(2.138)

By integrating Eq. (2.138) and solving for XA, we find

XA=0.4099wr

(2.138a)

By substituting Eq. (2.138a) into Eqs. (2.132), (2.135), and

(8.136), we find
wr 2
(1 cos ) 2 0.4099 wr 2 sin
2
N s 0.4099 wr sin wr cos 2

M s wr 2 (1 cos )

(2.139)

Vs wr cos sin 0.4099 wr cos

(2.140)
(2.141)