ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

L08
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ARCHES
Historically, arches were the only
feasible form that could be used for large
structures made up of materials with
negligible tensile strength, such as bricks
and stones. Masonry arches of such
materials have been used for thousands of
years.
In effect, an arch takes vertical
loads and turns them into thrusts that run
around the arch and put the elements of
the arch in compression. The parts of a
stone arch are called voussoirs. As you can
see in the figure, the voussoirs are pushed
together in compression.

Parts of an Arch
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ARCHES
Arches are very rigid, stable
structures that are not appreciably
affected by movements of their
foundations.
Theoretically, an arch can be
designed for a single set of gravity loads so
that only axial compression stresses are
developed throughout. Unfortunately,
however, in practical structures the
loads change and move so that bending
stresses are developed in the arch.
Nevertheless, arches generally are
designed so that their predominant
loading primarily causes compression
stresses.
Parts of an Arch
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ARCHES
Like cables, arches can be used to
reduce the bending moments in long-
span structures. Essentially, an arch acts as
an inverted cable, so it receives its load
mainly in compression although, because
of its rigidity, it must also resist some
bending and shear depending upon how
it is loaded and shaped.
In particular, if the arch has a
parabolic shape and it is subjected to a
uniform horizontally distributed vertical
load, then from the analysis of cables it
follows that only compressive forces will
be resisted by the arch. Under these
conditions the arch shape is called a
funicular arch because no bending or
shear forces occur within the arch.
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ANALYSIS OF ARCHES
Types of Arches

Fixed Arch Three-hinged Arch

Two-hinged Arch Tied Arch

 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ANALYSIS OF ARCHES
Analysis Concepts & Principles:
PARABOLIC ARCHES SUBJECTED THREE-HINGED ARCHES
TO UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED
LOAD
1. Only compressive forces will be 1. The third hinged is always located at
resisted by the arch the crown.
2. No shear & moment are acting 2. The supports are located at different
inside the arch elevations.
3. This is called a funicular arch 3. Three-Hinged Arches are
determinate structures, thus, this can
be solved directly by separating the 2
members and applying the
equilibrium equations
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ANALYSIS OF ARCHES
Example No. 1
The three-hinged open-
spandrel arch bridge has a
parabolic shape. If this arch
were to support a uniform load
and have the dimensions
indicated, show that the arch is
subjected only to axial
compression at any
intermediate point such as
point D. Assume the load is
uniformly transmitted to the
arch ribs.
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ANALYSIS OF ARCHES
Example No. 2
The three-hinged trussed arch
shown supports the symmetric
loading.

Determine the required height of the

joints B and D, so that the arch takes
a funicular shape. Member HG is
intended to carry no force.
 THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

ANALYSIS OF ARCHES
Example No. 3:
Determine the Support
Reactions.