Arches and Cables

6.1 Arches
Arches are structures composed of curvilinear members resting on
supports. They are used for large-span structures, such as airplane
hangars and long-span bridges. One of the main distinguishing
features of an arch is the development of horizontal thrusts at the
supports as well as the vertical reactions, even in the absence of a
horizontal load. The internal forces at any section of an arch
include axial compression, shearing force, and bending moment.
The bending moment and shearing force at such section of an arch
are comparatively smaller than those of a beam of the same span
due to the presence of the horizontal thrusts. The horizontal thrusts
significantly reduce the moments and shear forces at any section Fig. 6.1. Types of
of the arch, which results in reduced member size and a more arches.
economical design compared to other structures. Additionally,
arches are also aesthetically more pleasant than most structures.
6.1.1 Types of Arches
Based on their geometry, arches can be classified as semicircular,
segmental, or pointed. Based on the number of internal hinges,
they can be further classified as two-hinged arches, three-hinged
arches, or fixed arches, as seen in Figure 6.1. This chapter
discusses the analysis of three-hinge arches only.
6.1.2 Three-Hinged Arch
A three-hinged arch is a geometrically stable and statically
determinate structure. It consists of two curved members
connected by an internal hinge at the crown and is supported by
two hinges at its base. Sometimes, a tie is provided at the support
level or at an elevated position in the arch to increase the stability
of the structure.
6.1.2.1 Derivation of Equations for the Determination of Internal
Forces in a Three-Hinged Arch
Consider the section Q in the three-hinged arch shown in 
Figure 6.2a. The three internal forces at the section are the axial
force, NQ, the radial shear force, VQ, and the bending moment, MQ.
The derivation of the equations for the determination of these
forces with respect to the angle φ are as follows:

Bending moment at point Q. Fig. 6.2. Three – hinged

arch.
where

         = moment of a beam of the same span as the arch.

y = ordinate of any point along the central line of the arch.
f = rise of arch. This is the vertical distance from the centerline to Example 6.1
the arch’s crown. A three-hinged arch is subjected to two concentrated
x = horizontal distance from the support to the section being loads, as shown in Figure 6.3a. Determine the
considered. support reactions of the arch.
L = span of arch.
R = radius of the arch’s curvature.

Radial shear force at point Q.

where
Vb = shear of a beam of the same span as the arch.

Axial force at a point Q. Fig. 6.3. Three – hinged arch.

Solution
The free-body diagrams of the entire arch and its segment CE are Entire arch again.
shown in Figure 6.3b and Figure 6.3c, respectively. Applying the
equations of static equilibrium suggests the following:

Entire arch.

Arch segment CE.

              
Solving equations 6.1 and 6.2 simultaneously yields the
following: