etelle Caseiense rici< VOnSiTruci ion Reston, Vignia 22001 ‘STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF BRICK MASONRY ARCHES InaopucTION ‘The railway bridge at Maidenhead, England, constructed in 1888, is a brick arch with a span of 128 ft and aris of 24.3 f. This arch was designed by engineer Mare Brunel, who is also credited with being the ‘frst to use reinforeed_ brick masonry. A similar brick arch railway. bridge was constructed on North Avene, Baltimore, Matyland, in 1896. It has a epan of 180 ft and & rise’ of 26 ft, Theee outstanding examples are cited only to iustrate the structaral eapabilities of the brick arch—eapnbilities on which designers may rely when architectural or structural con Slderations suggest their use In modern design ‘This seve of echnical Notes covers the strc tural design of major and minor briek masonry arches Minor arches are those whose spans do not exceed ft and with maximum rge-to-epan ratios of 0.15. Coefficients are given from which the horizontal thrust of such arches may be deter mined. Equations are presented for obtaining compressive strestes doveloped in the masonry snd for determining stability against sliding. ‘Derivation of thrust coefficients and equations fre basod on the hypothesis of least crown thrust, fs described in Technical Notee, No. 81, and the following assumptions have been mad 1. The thrust at the crown is horizontal and passes through the upper 4 point of the arch 2, ‘The reaction pasees through the lower ¥4 point ‘of the arch at the akewhack. 8, The equilibrium polygon lies completely within ‘the middle f ofthe arch. Figure 1 ‘illustrates jack and segmental arches, ‘Major arches are those with spans in excoss of 6 ft or vise-tospan ratios grester than 0.1. In this issue of Technical Notes an example is siven of major arch design based on the equs- lions for redundant moments and. forees pre sented in the publiation, "Frames and Arches" )The method of analysis presented in this book ig substantially shorter than othere in current rams and Ancbw TPE Ange” 0 Valean Lewes coro [MINOR ARCH LOADING ‘The loads falling upon a minor arch may eon- sist of live loads and dead loads from floors, rots, Walls snd other structural members. These are applied as point Joads or as uniform loads fally or partially distributed, A method of determining Imposed loads on a member spanning small open- Ings i described. in Technical Notes, No. 17H. A brief resume of that explanation is given here. ‘The dead toad of a wall above sn arch may be assumed to be the weight of wall contained within a triangle immediately ahove the opening. ‘The sides of thie triangle are at 4Sudeg- angles to the base. Therefore, its height is ¥ of the span. Such triangular loading may be assumed ‘ be equivalent to a uniformly distributed load of 114 times the triangular load Saperimposed uniform loads above this trie sngle may be carried by arching sction of the ‘masonry wall Itself. Uniform live and dead loads ceeurring below the apex of the triangle are ap- pee XW... eT ‘Sry pn eer ie Ni i a id i a ng aeplied directly upon the arch for design purposes Heavy concentrated leade should not be allowed to bear directly on minor arches. This is espe- cially true of Jack arches. Minor concentrated Toads bearing on, or nearly directly on, the arch ‘may safely be assumed to be equivalent to a uni- ormly distributed load equal to twice the som contrated load. igure 2 shows the uso of minor arches in contemporary architecture MINOR ARCH DESIGN ‘There are three methods of failure of unmin= forced masonry arches: (a) by rotation of one section of the atch about the edge of a jant; (b) by the sliding of one section of the are on anather or on the skewback: (e) by crushing of the masonry. (a) Rotation. The assumption for the design of minor arches, that the equilibrium polygon Hes entirely within the middle third of the arch see tion, precludes the rotation of one section of the arch about the edge of a joint or the devdop- 2 rent of tensile stresses in elther the intrados or xtrados, (b) Sliding. The coefiient of friction between the units composing a brick or tile masonry arch is at least 0.60, without considering the adaitional resistance to siding resulting ftom bond between ‘mortar and the masonry units, ‘This corresponds torn angle of friction of approximately 31 deg. If that angle, which the line of resistance of the arch makes with the normal to the joint between arch fection, Is less than the angie of friction, the arch ig stable against sliding. This angle can be determined graphically, as illustrated in Technical Notes, No. 81, or may be determined mathematically by the folowing formula a=tns(3--7) a where angle between line of resstanee and normal to joint, otal equivalent uniform lead on arch, H = crown thrust and vy = angle of joint with verticalFor minor segmental arches, the angle between ‘the lino of resistance and the normal to the joint Js greatest at the skewback. ‘Tis will also be true for jack arches ifthe joints are radial about fa centar at the interaeetion of the planes of the skevbacks, However, ifthe joints are not radial bout this center, each joint shouldbe investigated {or resistance to sliding. This can be done most cauily by constructing an equilibrium polygon, as ‘suming thet the crown thrast is applied at the top of the middle third and the reaction at the skewback Is applied at the bottom of the middle third of the setion. For segmental arches with radial joints, the angle (3) between the skewback and the vertical is as. AS ee Sa > ot er of ber of ervatace ant ) oR For jack arches in which the skewback equals gin, per TE of span for each 4 In, of areh depth, the angle (y) that the skewback makes with the vertieal fs voter S, “ In equations 2, Sand 4 R= radiug of curvature (©) Crashing. G) Segmental Arch. Figure 8 is « graphic representation of thrust coefficients (H1/W) for segmental arches subjected to uniform load over the entire span. Once the thrust cosficent is elermined for a particular arch, the horizontal ‘thrust (H) may be determined as the product of the thrust eoeficient and the total load (W). To etermine the proper thrust coefficient, one must first determine the characteristics of the arch, Sirand $/¢ where: $= the lear span, = the rae ofthe soft and 4 the depth of the arch In these ratios and in the ratios and equations that follow, all terms of length must be expressed in the same units; for example, in computing S/x and 8/4, if S is in feet, r and’ must be in fet als, Tf the applied load is triangular or concen trated, the above method may stil be used, but the horizontal thrust coefficient must be increased by ¥ for triangular loading and doubled for con- contrated lads ‘Once the horizontal thrust has been determined, the maximum compressive stress in the masonry AiG. 3 Thrvst Coofients for Segmental Ard Is determined by the following formule: 2H (5) bd In this equation: ‘fq = maximum compressive stress in the arch in pounds per square inc, H = horizontal thrast in pounds, 1b = breadth of the arch In inches and 4 = depth of the azch in inches. ‘This value is twice an axlal compressive stress ‘on the arch, due to load H, because the horizon- ‘al thrust fs located atthe third point of the arch depth, (2) Jack Arch. The common rule for jack arches is to provide a skewback (K, messured horizontally) of 4 in, per #t of span for esch 4 in. of arch depth. Jack arches are commonly constructed in depths of 8 and 12 in, with a eam- ber of 4 in. per ft of span For jack arches, applying the same assump- tions as previously outlined, the horizontal thrust at the spring line may be determined by the fol Towing formalae: For uniform loading over full span, fa= n= WS (6) cd For triangular loading over fall span, = m 2a Maximum compressive stress (fq) in the jack arch may be determined from the following for. ‘mulae: t= 8) ba‘The maximum compressive stress in a jack arch may be computed directly from the folloving for- mulae: "For uniform loading over fall span, t. = WS Oy Ba For triangular lading, f= WS. (10) Formulae 8, 9 and 10 include a factor which allows for_non-axial loading. In formulae 6 ‘through 10, inclusive: orizontal thrust in pounds, ear span in inches, 4 = depth of arch in inches and bb = breadth of arch in inches, THRUST RESISTANCE Resistance to horizontal thrust, devdoped by the areh, is provided by the adjacent mass of masonry, In areas where limited ‘matonry it available, ie, corners, openings, ete, it may be necessary to check the resistance of the wall to the horizontal thrusts. Figure 4 illustrates how such resistance may be calculated Fee It is assumed that the thrust of the arch at- tempts to move a volume of masonry enclosed by ‘the boundary lines ABCD. For ealeulating pur- totes the area CDEF is equivalent in resistance Tecan be seen that the thrust is acting against two planes of resistance, CF and DE. The re- sistance to arch thrust ts determined by the fol Towing formula: 1H, = vant ay By using the principle given in formula (11), the minimum distance from a corner or opening at whieh an arch may be located is easly deter~ ‘mined. This ean be done by writing formula (11) to solve for x, substituting actual arch thrust for resisting thrust ‘ (a) at In these formulae 1H, = resisting thrust in pounds, allowable shearing stresi in the masonry wall in pounds per square inch, the number of resisting shear planes, the distance from the center of the skow- bac to the end of the wall in inches and 1 = wall Uhiekness in inches, ‘The tendency for arch thrust to overturn section of masonry, rather than slide it or rack it, must also be investigated. In general, such ‘overturning forees are found to govern only at [chen neat the top of a wal, eines that portion fof masonry which tends to overturn mast first ‘become separated from the body of the wall. ALLOWABLE STRESSES Recommended allowable compressive stresses for se in the design of brick aches are given in Table’ 1, Recommended allowable shearing tresses in‘unreinforced walls for use in the ‘design of abutments are given in Teble 2. These fre basod on the requirements of Recommended Building Code Requirements for Engineered Brick ‘Masonry, SCPI, May 1966. rane 2 ‘a Uncinforced Bick Masonry Wall ese fre er ee MAJOR ARCH LOADING ‘The principal forees acting upon arches in build. ings are the result of vertical dead and live loads fand wind Toads. Many masonry arches are inte- (gral with surrounding masonry, In such instances, Toads transmitted tothe areh through the masonry fare indeterminate, de to arching action of adja- ‘eent masonry.It is often assumed that the entire weight of ‘masonry, above the soft, presses vertically upon the arch, This certainly Is not accurate, since ‘even with dry masonry a part of the wall wll be self-eupporting. However, this isumption ie eer- tainly on the safe side. The passive resistance of the adjacent masonry materially affects the stability of an arch. The designer must rely on empisial formulae, bbesed on the performance of existing structures, to determine the loads on en arch, The dead Toad of masonry wall supported by an integral arch depends upon the arch rise and span and the wall height above the arch. It may be considered to be lther uniform (rectangular) or variable (com- plementary parabolie) In distribution, or a com= bination thereof “"Prames and Arches” gives solutions for stches with vise-tospan ratios (f/L) ranging from 0.0 {0 0.6, The following recommended assumptions {or loading of such arches are believed to be safe: For low rise arches, £/L = 02 or Tess, a uni form load may be assumed. This load will be the ‘weight of wall above the crown of the arch up to ‘maximum height of L/4 For higher rise arches a dead load consisting of uniform plus complementary parabolic loading ‘may be assumed. The maximum ordinate of the parabolic loading will be equal to a weight of wal ‘whose height isthe rise of the arch. The minimum ordinate of the parabolic losding willbe 22. The tniform loading will be the welght of the wall above the crown of the arch up to & maximum Ielght of L/100 ‘Uniform foor and roof losds are applied as & ‘uniform london the arch. Small concentrated Toads may be treated as uniform loads of twice the magnitude. Large concentrated loads may be treated as point loads on the arch, Several major arches are shown in Fig. 6 MAJOR ARCH DESIGN General. “Frames and Arches” provides straightforward equations by. which redundant here, let tulle to aay that, for relatively high- vise ({/L = 02) constant-section arches, Method A of Section 22 yields the proper solations. The ‘ocommendations for use of this seston are 1. Establish principal dimensions of the arch 2 On this basis and depending upon the estab- lished shape and {/L ratio of the arch, obtain the corresponding K value of the arch (see ‘Table 8 Obtain the clastic parameters (e, f, y and 8), load constants and general constants. 4. Perform the algebraic operations with the sven equations Equations, Th equations are based upon ahori- aontal and vertical grid coordinate system with ‘origin a the intersetion of the arch axis and left skewhack. Distances x and y are coordinates of the arch axis, ‘The general equation for the parabolic arch exis is yeoat(1-2)% t)L ach set of equations depends upon the loading conditions. Among the solutions included with those in Sestion 22, Method A are the following: For vertical complementary parabelie loading Wh a, =u, = Eas — 27 Mes —2n) elim = E (EEE) cote + Hsing For vertical uniform load over the entire arch: and Q are zero at any section of the arch. Mh oc arn moments and fores in arched members may be vole of dtormined, The reader io referred toa doeuss || = Sion of thi book which appears in Tecnica? [conta | a | oa | o« | os | ow Note, No.3 eae ae [ise [ve [a | Without repeating the forementioned discussion 2x [a [ot |v] taste 4 votes tg Volues of ¢ where x OUTABLES Velvet of Load Constants § and T TABLE 6 Arch Poromters 0, B, y ond 8 cons (1 —28)ang “Frames and Arches" leo” contains equations for other loading conditions; eg- concentrated loads ‘Notation. In these equations, the subscripts 1 and 2 denote the left and right supports respec tively. The subseript x denotes values. at any horizontal distance, x, from the origin. is the angle, at any point, whose tangent isthe slope of the arch axis at that point, (See Table 4.) AP = moment N = axial force shearing force rise of the arch |W = total loud under consideration H = horizontal thrust V = vertical reaction L. = apan of the arch ‘Sand "Tare lond constants (see Table 5) 43, F and K are constants, determined by Teron) Fao K=SH/y or By and 8 are parameters (see Table 6). relate) IMLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE Problem. Using the equations given in the book, “Frames and Arches,” design « parabolic Seik masonry rch fo meet ine flowing renure- monte. The arch io intogeal svth loeb brickcand-rick cavity wal, Wall weight is 80 ref ‘The arch dimensions are: span, 20 ft; rie, 12 ft; depth, 16 In thleknes, 12 ins total wall helght, 5 ft, The unitorm roef load, bearing on the wali above the arch, is 1200 Ib per ft. The arch is of solid brick (4000 psi) and type N mortar allow- able compressive stress in the arch is 300 pst Solution. The arch is a constant-section, high- rise, symmetries, parabolic, hingoles arch; there fore, the equations previously given in this issue of Technical Notes are applicable. Each diferent Toading condition must be analyzed separately. Similar loads, eg. all uniform loads, may be ‘added and treated as a single load. ‘Moments, shears and thrusta resting from each leading condition are combined to give total values. For symmetrically loaded symmetrical arches, only Yh of the arch need be analyzed "The loads carried by the arch are ‘Uniform loads "Wall dena load (80) (20"/100) 320 ib per ft Roof dead + live load 1200 ‘Arch dend loadin exces of wall weight (approx.) = 260 ‘Total uniform toad 780 tb per ft w= (1780) 20) 35,600 15 Complementary parabolic loading ‘Maximum ordinate 1p =(80) (12), 960 tb per tt Minimum ordinate o W= pL/3 = 960(20) 8 6400 1 Numbers bofore the following paragraphs refer to the outline of the recommended sequence. L._ The principal arch dimensions are: a=i0in. 2. Lean f=Bh {L=08 2. From Table 8, k = 286. 8a, For parabolic loading: ‘Prom Table, 'S = 0.5948, From Table 6, = 688 pan From the given relationships, T= 13522 1920 8 For vertical uniform lads: From Table 5, 'S = 1.0061, T From Table 6 (note that a, 6, y and 8 are the same for any given arch dimensions) ‘= 688 7 p=en From the given relationshipe: 13822 F t990 x 4. The necessary substitution may now be made to evaluate the design moments and forees. In 1TABLE 7 of My Ny ond Qt Increments of x = 0.1L we xe we ve ee i this example, moments, shears and axial thrusts Tass faye determined st inerementa of OL (each 2 ft Stastes in the Arch ot Increments of x = 0.1L of span). Tabular computations are suggested | pepo for ease in evaluating these equations. The rests {_= [ oo [ 30 [ so] so 0 | veo. of such tabular computations are shown in | hesin| taza| usa] two] pea] pal tans ‘Table 7 Miers [PMS | F Ma] Sean] 82] “285 | "3 ‘The stresses in the arch may be determined from the following equations oe Meg i an) ae wk aa) a In the above equations, f,, denotes maximum and minimum fiber stresses and v, denotes shear- Ing streses, All quantities in the equations must be in units of inches and pounds, Table 8 shows stress in the arch. Plus signs Indieate compression and mins signs tension, for values of fy, These signs have only directional significance for values of va. No tex sile stresses should be permitted in unreinforced maconry arches under static leading conditions ‘The reader Is referred to Tecknioal Notes, No. 31 for a diseussion of mortars in arch construction, See Table 1 for allowable compressive stresses Inbrile masonry. ewes. 199 Interpretation of Results. Table 8 indicates that the compressive stresses are, in all instances, less than the allowable 800 pei, No tensile stresses exist. The shearing stresses are arch is adequate, The moments and shears are caused. by other than uniform loads. For this arch, and perhape for most arches, the predom- inant Toad is uniformly distributed, As result the moments and shears are relatively small and the arch is predominant In compression.