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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

7 ARCHES

1. INTRODUCTION

Beams generally transfer the applied load to end supports by bending and shear action but

arches transfers load to abutments at spring points. The top most point is called the crown

which sometimes has a hinge. The height of the crown above the support level is known as

rise. An arch is generally economical for larger span compared to simply supported beam.

Design Forces in Arches:

An arch will be subjected to three forces.

(a) Bending Moment

(b) Normal Thrust

(c) Radial shear force

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2. TYPES OF ARCHES

There are three types of arches depending upon the number of hinges provided.
(i) Three hinged arch (Determinate)
(ii) Two hinged arch (Indeterminate to 1 degree)
(iii) Fixed arch (Indeterminate to 3 degree)
2.1. Three hinged Arch
The three hinged arches are statically determinate structure as equations of equilibrium
alone are sufficient to find all the unknown quantities.

Circular Arch:
From the properly of a circle the radius r of the circular arch of span
L and rise h may be found as
L L
 = h(2R − h)
2 2

L2 h
 R= +
8h 2
Taking origin at A, the coordinates of any pont d on the arch may be defined as

L 
x =  − R sin 
2 
y = Rcosθ – (R – h)

 y = h − R(1 − cos )

Parabolic Arch:
Taking spring point as the origin, its equation is given by

4hx
y= (L − x)
L2
Bending moment at the section X-X
BMX – X = +VA × x – HA × y
⇒ BMX – X = Beam moment – H-moment
When compared with a beam of similar span, bending moment at any section in a three
hinged arch is less by an amount of ‘H×y’ or moment dur to horizontal force.

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(i) ILD for horizontal thrust (H):

Taking moment about A,
x
VB =
l
l−x
VA =
l
When the load is in portion AC taking moment about hinge C, We get
l x l
H.h = VB  = 
2 2 2

x
H=
2h
When,
x=0→H=0
𝑙 𝑙
𝑥= →𝐻=
2 4ℎ
When unit load is in portion CB, considering the left half portion and taking moment
about B. We get
l l−x l l−x
H.h = VA  =  =
2 l 2 2

l−x
H=
2h
When,
l l
x= , H=
2 4h
x = l, H=0
'l'
∴ ILD for H is a triangle with its maximum ordinate equals to at hinge ‘C’.
4h

(ii) ILD for Bending Moment:

Bending moment at any given section in the arch is given as
BM = Beam moment – Hy

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' ab '
We know that ILD for beam moment at D is a triangle with maximum ordinate at
l
D.
'l'
Since for H, ILD is a triangle with maximum ordinate of at hinge c, H.y diagram is a
4h
' l '
triangle with  y as the maximum ordinate at C. This is to be subtracted from beam
4h
moment diagram.
From the above ILD, we find that to get maximum positive bending moment at D, keep
the unit load D. To get maximum negative bending moment at D, keep the unit load at
C. To get zero bending moment at D, keep the unit load somewhere between D and C.

(iii) Normal thrust and Radial shear:

FBD for the section X – X

Normal thrust at E = Sum of components of all forces normal to the cross section at E
NT = HE cosθ + VE sinθ
Radial shear at E = Sum of component of all the forces parallel to cross section at E
Rs = VE cosθ – HE sinθ

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Note: If a two hinged or three hinged arch is subjected to UDL throughout its length,
then BM and Rs are zero everywhere. The cross section is subjected to N T (Normal thrust)
only.
(iv) Temperature effects in 3-hinged arches
Case 1: When the arch is subjected to temperature rise alone
Since, three hinged arch is a statically determinate structure due to temperature variation
or due to settlement of support, no stress are developed anywhere in the whole structure.

Although, there is no stress developed in the structure, the crown will rise by the value
of Δh due to increase in temperature to accommodate the free expansion of the arch.
Here,
𝑙 2 + 4ℎ2
𝛥ℎ = [ ] (𝛼𝑡)
4ℎ
Where,
α = coefficient of thermal expansion.
t = change or rise in temperature
Example:

Sol.
Taking Moment about B,
𝑅𝐴 × 8 = 100 × 6
⇒ 𝑅𝐴 = 75 𝑘𝑁
And,
𝑅𝐵 = 25 𝑘𝑁
Bending moment about C would be zero.
75 × 4 − 100 × 2 − 𝐻 × 4 = 0
⇒ 𝐻 = 25 𝑘𝑁

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Normal thrust and radial shear at a distance 1m from A.

NT = 25 cos45 + 75 sin45
⇒ 𝑁𝑇 = 70.71 𝑘𝑁
Rs = VE cosθ – HE sinθ
⇒ 𝑅𝑆 =35.35 kN
Example:

Sol.
Taking Moment about B,
𝑅𝐴 × 8 − 2 × 4 × 6 + 𝐻 × 2 = 0
⇒ 4𝑅𝐴 + 𝐻 = 24 … … . . (𝑖)
As BM at C will be zero,
𝑅𝐴 × 4 − 2 × 4 × 2 − 𝐻 × 4 = 0
⇒ 𝑅𝐴 − 𝐻 = 4 … . (𝑖𝑖)
Which gives,
RA = 5.6 kN, H = 1.6 kN, RB = 2.4 kN
Eddy’s Theorem: This theorem states that,” The Bending moment at any section of an
arch is directly proportional to the vertical intercept between the actual arch and linear
arch (Theoretical arch)”. Where linear arch is the shape of funicular polygon due to the
loading.

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2.2. Two hinged arches

A two hinged arch is an indeterminate arch. The horizontal thrust is determined using
Castigliano’s theorem of least energy.

Assuming the redundant to be H, As per Castigliano’s theorem

𝜕𝑈
=0
𝜕𝐻
Which gives the following condition
l
Mx ydx

0
EIC
H= l
y2dx

0
EIC

Where,
Mx = beam moment at any section x – x
IC = Moment of inertia of the cross section of the arch at the crown.
(i) Horizontal Thrust in case of circular arch subjected to point load
𝑊 2
𝐻= sin 𝛼
𝜋
(ii) Horizontal Thrust in case of circular arch subjected to UDL
4 𝑤𝑅
𝐻=
3 𝜋
(iii) Horizontal Thrust in case of parabolic arch subjected to a point load at centre
25 𝑤𝐿
𝐻=
128 𝐻
(iv) Horizontal Thrust in case of parabolic arch subjected to a UDL
𝑤𝑙 2
𝐻=
8ℎ
If there is rib shortening, temperature rise by t°C and yielding of supports then horizontal
thrust is given by
Mx ydx
 EIC
+ tl
H=
y2dx l
 EIC
+
AE
+k

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Where,
αtl = due to increase in temperature
l/AE due to rib shortening
K = yielding of support/unit horizontal thrust.
In a two hinged parabolic arch as the temperature increase, horizontal thrust increases.
If the effect of rib shortening and yielding of support are considered then horizontal thrust
decreases.
Example: A 2 hinged parabolic arch is subjected to a point load as shown in the figure.
Calculate the horizontal reaction at the supports.

Sol.
Equation of the parabola,
4ℎ𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) 𝑥(8 − 𝑥)
𝑦= =
𝑙2 4
Horizontal reaction at support,
𝑙
∫0 𝑀𝑥 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝐻= 1
∫0 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥
Taking moment about B,
100 × 6
𝑅𝐴 = = 75 𝑘𝑁
8
So, Beam moment 𝑀𝑥 = 75𝑥 − 100(𝑥 − 2) = 200 − 25𝑥
Thus,
8 𝑥(8 − 𝑥)
∫0 (200 − 25𝑥) 4
𝑑𝑥
𝐻= 2
8 𝑥(8 − 𝑥)
∫0 ( 4
) 𝑑𝑥

⇒ 𝐻 = 31.25 𝑘𝑁

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3. PROBLEMS

Problem 1: A 3 hinged semi circular arch is subjected to a point load as shown in the figure.

What will be the magnitude of maximum bending moment in the arch

Ans. 93.21 kNm

Problem 2: A 3 hinged parabolic arch is subjected to loading as shown in the figure below.

Calculate the horizontal reaction and Maximum bending moment in the arch.

Ans. H =133.33 kN, M = 56.25 kNm

Problem 3: Draw the bending moment diagram of the arch shown in the figure below:

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Problem 4: What do you understand by 2 Hinged arch. Find the horizontal reaction in the semi
circular arch shown in the figure below.

Ans. 27 kN
Problem 5: Draw the bending moment diagram in the 2 hinged parabolic arch as shown in the
figure below.

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