Introduction:

In case of beams supporting uniformly distributed load, the maximum bending moment
increases with the square of the span and hence they become uneconomical for long span
structures. In such situations arches could be advantageously employed, as they would develop
horizontal reactions, which in turn reduce the design bending moment.

Arch: An arch is an curved beam in which horizontal moment at the end is wholly (or)
partially prevented .Hence the horizontal trust will be introduced at the supports.

Type of arches:
There are mainly three types of arches that are commonly used in practice
a. Three hinged arch,
B.Two-hinged arch and
C.Fixed-fixed arch.

Three-hinged arch is statically

Determinate structure

Two-hinged arch is statically

indeterminate structure

Fixed-fixed arch are statically

Indeterminate

structures

(c) Fixed- fixed arch

Theoretical arch: If an arch is to take loads, say W1, W2, and W3 and a vector diagram and
funicular polygon are plotted; the funicular polygon is known as the linear arch or theoretical
arch.
Actual arch:

It is not possible to construct the arch in the shape of theoretical arch. So the

actual arch should be in the shape of parabolic, circular and elliptical.

Eddys theorem:
Eddys theorem states that The bending moment at any section of an arch is proportional to
the vertical intercept between the linear arch (or theoretical arch) and the centre line of the actual
arch.
Normal thrust and radial shear in an arch rib:
Let be the inclination of the tangent at X. If H is the horizontal thrust and V the vertical
shear at X, the normal and radial components at the section X is given by,
Normal

thrust,

cos

Radial Shear, R = V cos - H sin

Problems:
1. A three-hinged parabolic arch of uniform cross section has a span of L and a
rise of YC. It is subjected to uniformly distributed load of intensity W/m as
shown in Fig. 1 Show that the bending moment is zero at any cross section of
the arch

sin

FIG:1

Total load = Wl
VA+VB =

WL
2

Taking moment of all the forces about hinge A ,

VBL -

WL
2

=0

Taking moment of forces left of hinge C about C ,

W L2
HA = HB = 8 H
Moment at any point
MX=0

2. A three-hinged parabolic arch of uniform cross section has a span of 60 m and a rise of 10 m.
It is subjected to uniformly distributed load of intensity 10 kN/m as shown in Fig. 2. Show that
the bending moment is zero at any cross section of the arch.

Fig:2
Taking moment of all the forces about hinge A , yields
Ra = Rb =300KN
Taking moment of forces left of hinge C about C , one gets
Ha = Hb = 450 KN
The bending moment at any section x from the left end is
MX =Rax- Hay-10

x2
2

The equation of the three-hinged parabolic arch is

Where
MX=0

Y=

4 h x (lx)
l2

3 A UDL of 4kN/m covers left half span of 3-hinged parabolic arch of span 36m and central rise
8m. Determine the horizontal thrust also find (i) BM (ii) Shear force (iii) Normal thrust (iv)
Radial shear at the loaded quarter point. Sketch BMD.

Fig 3
Taking moment of all the forces about hinge A

MA =0
-VB x 36 + 4 x 18 x 9 =0
VB = 18KN VA=54kN
Taking moment of forces left of hinge C about C

Mc =0
+VB 18-HB x 8=0
HB=40.5kN
HA=40.5 kN

Where
y=

4 h x (lx )
l2

y= (4 x 8 x 9/362) (36-9)
y=6m
BM at M=
-40.5 x 6 + 54 x 9
-4 x 9 x 4.5
=81 kN.m

Normal thrust = N = + 40.5 Cos 23.96 + 18 Cos 66.04

= 44.32 kN
S = 40.5 Sin 23.96 18 Sin 66.04
S = - 0.0019

Parabolic arch at different levels of height:

L1=

L h 1
h 1+ h 2

L2=

L h 2
h 1+ h 2

Horizontal trust for three hinged parabolic arch at different levels of heights:

a
)
l1
H=
L1L2
h1 L 2+ h2 L 1
W ( L

4. Find the horizontal trust and vertical reactions at the supports for a three hinged parabolic arch
as shown in the figure.

L1 =

L h 1
h 1+ h 2

L2=

L h 2
h 1+ h 2

Taking moment of forces left of hinge C

VA=64KN ; VB=116KN

= 5m

= 10m

4. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 20m and central rised 5m carries a point load at 6m from
left hand as shown in the figure 4. Find the end reactions and find the maximum bending
moment.

FIGURE - 4

Taking moments about A

VA=54 KN, VB = 18KN
Taking moments about A
VA=54 KN, VB = 18KN
RA = 184.39 KN , RB =134.16KN

Taking moments about c from left hand side

HA= HB=120KN
Maximum positive bending moment at D;

MD=336KN-M
Maximum negative bending moment = -150 KN-M
LEVEL-1
1. The number of independent equations to be satisfied for static equilibrium of a plane
structure is
A) 1

b) 2

c)3

d)8

2. A three hinged arch is ----------- structure.

3. A three hinged parabolic arch having an udl of intensity w/m throughout the span l then the
bending moment at any point is
a)wl b) wl2/2 c) zero d) wl/2
4. In three hinged parabolic arch rise can be expressed as y=
A)

y=

4 h x ( lx )
2
l

b)

y=

2 h x ( lx )
2
l

c)

y=

x ( lx )
2
l

d)

y=

4 h ( lx )
l2
5. If the temperature increases, the rise of three hinged parabolic arch will --------6. If the temperature increases, the horizontal trust of three hinged parabolic arch will -----7. Increase in arch length due to temperature is expressed as -----1.1.

A parabolic arch rib, 20 m span and 3 m rise is hinged at the abutments and the crown and
carries a point load of 10 kN at 7.5 m from the left hand hinge. Calculate the horizontal
thrust and the bending moment at a section 7.5 m form right hand hinge. What is the value
of the greatest bending moment in the arch, and where does it occur?

1.2 A parabolic arch hinged at the springings and crown has a span of 24 m. The central rise of
the arch is 5m. It is loaded with a uniformly distributed load of intensity 20 kN/m on the left
4m length. Calculate the direction and magnitude of reaction at the hinges
1.3. Explain the theoretical arch and actual arch.

.
1. 4. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 16m and rise 4 m is subjected to two point loads of
100 kN and 80 kN at the left and right quarter span points respectively. Find the reactions at
supports. Find also the bending moment, radial shear and normal thrust at 6m from left
support.

LEVEL- 2
1. Find the horizontal trust for the three hinged parabolic arch of length l and uniformly
distributed throughout the span with an intensity w/m, having a central rise h at the center
2. Difference between two hinged arch and three hinged arch?
3. For a three hinged parabolic arch find the normal trust and shear force by using the given data
where H= 135kN,V=66kN,and =200
4. Express the L1, L2 values for the given diagram

.
5. Find the end reactions for the given diagram

6. Find the horizontal reaction for the three hinged parabolic arch.

1. A parabolic arch hinged at the ends and crown has a span of 20 m. The central rise of the arch
is 4 m. It is loaded with a uniformly distributed load of intensity 2 kN/m on the left 8 m
length. Calculate
(a) The direction and magnitude of reaction at the hinges,
(b) Bending moment, normal thrust and shear at 4m and 15m from left end.
2. A three-hinged parabolic arch hinged at the supports and at the crown has a span of 24 m and a
central rise of 4 m. It carries a concentrated load of 50 kN at 18 m from left support and a
uniformly distributed load of 30 kN/m over the left half portion. Determine the moment,
thrust and radial shear at a section 6 m from the left support.
3. A parabolic arch, hinged at the ends has a span 30 m and rise 5 m. A concentrated load of 12
kN acts at 10 m from the left hinge. The second moment of area varies as the secant of the
slope of the rib axis. Calculate the horizontal thrust and the reactions at the hinges,
4. A parabolic arch, hinged at the ends has a span 30 m and rise 5 m. A concentrated load of 12
kN acts at 10 m from the left hinge. The second moment of area varies as the secant of the
slope of the rib axis. Calculate the maximum bending moment anywhere on the arch.