Structures Handout 27.08.

19

ARCHES

INTRODUCTION
A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting the weight of a
bridge, roof, or wall above it. It is purely under compression and this makes it a very reliable
structure to carry heavy loads at large spans.

HISTORY AND EXAMPLES

1. First use by the civilizations in the ancient Near East and the Levant, infrequently and
mostly confined to underground structures.
2. The Romans learned the arch from the Etruscans, refined it and were the first builders in
Europe to tap its full potential for above ground buildings.
3. China's oldest surviving stone arch bridge is the Anji Bridge, built in 600CE during the Sui
Dynasty is the oldest open-spandrel segmental arch bridge in stone.
4. The first example of an early Gothic arch in Europe is in Sicily in the Greek fortifications
of Gela.
5. In India, Bhitargaon temple (450CE) and Mahabodhi temple (7CE) built in by Gupta
Dynasty are the earliest surviving examples of the use of voussoir arch vault system in
India.

TERMINOLOGY
1. Arch- A beam curved in one plane which is also the plane of loading with respect to dead
load and live loads, and in which the displacement of the ends are restricted.
2. Back- The top surface of the arch.
3. Clear span- The horizontal distance between the springing lines on a plane parallel to the
axis of the arch.
4. Crown- The highest point on the arch axis.
5. Extrados- The line of intersection of the back of the arch with the plane parallel to the axis
of the arch.
6. Intrados- The line of intersection of the soffit with the plane parallel to the axis of the arch.
7. Rise- The height of the arch axis at the crown above the level of the spring point.
8. Soffit- The under surface of the arch.
9. Spandrel- The space between the back of the arch and the decking.
10. Springing line- The line of intersection of the face of the support and the soffit.
11. Symmetrical arch- AN arch symmetrical about the crown and having its end supports at the
same level.

LOADS
1. Dead load- The self-weight carried by the arch, weight of the fill and the roadway, if any.
2. Live load- The weight of people or goods. Live load should correspond to the relevant
standard code of practices for buildings or bridges.
3. Wind load- Estimated to the requirements of IS: 875-1964.
4. Seismic Load- Estimated to the requirements of IS: 1893- 1966.
5. Tractive Load- The force used to generate movement between a body and the surface. Is
applicable in case of bridges.

LOAD TRANSFER

TYPES
Based on the geometry

MATERIALS USED
1. Brick masonry- It has greater resistance to compression than tension and hence used
frequently as the most efficient structural element to span openings.
2. Stone masonry- One of the earliest used materials. Due to irregularities and huge dead
weight, it requires very expensive preparation and implementation techniques.
3. Reinforced concrete- If appropriately shaped, the whole cross section can be utilized in
compression under the maximum load. The portion below the neutral axis is assumed to
be cracked and does not contribute to the bending strength.