ARCH ACTION 19

curvature being proportional to M/I at any point. If these require

ments are satisfied exactly, the solution is correct both by statics and
by geometry; we have an exact analysis.
Exact analyses by sketching the deflected structure are not practicable,
but a little training will develop ability to detect at once glaring in-

Impossible Impossible Improbable

Joint
(a)

Joint evidently
(a)

evidently The girder shows

B

not in equilibrium not in equilibrium as much bending

since both members since both members for the same Impossible
tend to rotate joint tend rotate joint moment as does
to

The deflected struc

in same direction. in same direction. the column, where ture continuous and

is
(b) Joints and as the girder is
C
B

(b) Shows two points satisfies statics, but

not right angles. of inflection, usually much the solution shows HD
(c) Shows four points which indicates stiffer than the greater than HA,
of inflection, an impossible column. which evidently

is
which indicates pressure line for not true if
the bent
an impossible this hading. is symmetrical.
pressure line for
this loading.
(d) Deflections not
equal at and
C.
B

Fig. 14. Incorrect Sketches of Deflected Symmetrical Bent.

consistencies. Fig. 14 shows some incorrect sketches with notes on

them.
" Arch Action."
In the study of bents and frames, particularly where
curved girders have been used, the term
" arch action "* sometimes
is

employed with confusion and even misrepresentation. Except where

describes an architectural type, probably better to avoid the
it

is
it

term " arch." Where the term employed we must define exactly
is

what reactions are indicated and identify the abutments that resist the
thrust.
For example, consider the multi-storied building shown in Fig. 15
with floors of slab and beam or of flat slab construction. It might be
assumed that each of these bents acts as an arch and consequently has
its moments reduced by the horizontal reaction which exists in an arch.
The term "catenary action"
*

used by some writers with the same feeling of

is

mystery. The method of reasoning used here in reference to "arch action" applies
also to "catenary action."