Professional Documents
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Structure
3.1 Introduction
Objectives
3.2 Arches
3.2.1 Temunology
3.2.2 Types of Arch
3.3 Analysis of Three-Hinged Arches
3.3 1 Deternunation of Reactions
3.3 2 Internal Stress Resultants
3.3.3 Benmng Moment D~agramsfor Three-hlnged Arches
INTRODUCTION
Till now, you had been studying two-dimensional (plane) structures like beams, frames
and trusses which were mostly linear in their grometry or comprised of elements which
were formed out of straight lines. Now in this unit, you are being introduced to a class of
structures which will be composed of curved-mem%ers instead of straight ones. The
simplest member of this class is the arch. Arches as such are not a new mode of
construction and have been in use as a load bearing structure since ancient times.
Although it is more difficult to construct a curved structure like an arch, there are certain
advantages, apart from their aesthetic look, which have made them popular among civil
engineers and architects.
It will be shown here in this unit that the bending moment in an arch section is generally
less than that in a corresponding beam section, of similar span and loading. Hence, the
all-important bending stresses are less in arches. However, in an arch section, there is in
additional normal thrust which is not present in beam sections (with transverse loading).
But normally the net effect is not critical as concrete and masonry are usually stronger in
compression and the total stresses are generally well within limits. So overall speaking,
an arch is lighter and stronger than a similar or similarly-loaded beam. Figure 3.1 shows
some kinds of arch used in civil engineering.
0bjectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to
conceptualise the structural behaviour of an arch,
determine the internal stress resultants namely, normal thrust, radial shear and
bending moment for three-hinged arches,
obtain influence lines for horizontal thrust and vertical reactions, bending
moment, radial shear and normal thrust for a three-hingcd arch, and
determine absolute maximum values of these internal stress resultants, or
external reactions.
3.2 ARCHES
3.2.1 Terminology
Following are some commonly used terms relating to arches :
Springing : This is the point where the arch axis meets the supporting
structure (column, pier, wall or abutment). In a simple
arch, there are two springings. The springings may or may
not be at the same level [Figure 3.2 (a) and (b)].
Crown : This is the highest point on the curved axis of the arch. In
the case of a symmetrical arch with springings at same
level, they will be above the midpoint of the arch-span
[Figure 3.2 (a)]. In an unsymmetrical arch, the crown is at
unequal distances from each support [Figure 3.2 (b)].
Soffit : This is the lower surface of the arch which is normally
curved in shape. In case of trussed arches, the line joining
the nodes form the soffit.
: The vertical height of the crown above the springing is
the rise of the arch (Figure 3.2 (a)].
Span : The horizontal distance between the springings is called
span [Figure 3.2 (a) and (b)].
3.2.2 Types of Arch
There are various ways in which arches can be classified. Following are some of the
classifications of arches :
(a) Arches can be (i) simple, or (ii) multiple.
In the former case of simple arch, the arch consists of a single span structure,
whereas in the latter case of multiple arch, it is a multi-span structure [Figure
3.2 (c) and (d)]
(b) Arches can be classified according to the materials used in their construction in
following way :
(i) Brick or Stone masonry arches.
(ii) Reinforced Concrete arches.
(iii) Steel arches.
(iv) Timber arches etc.
(c) Their classification according to structural behaviour can be as follows :
(i) Fixed arches [Figure 3.2 (e)] :The arch springings are fixed or clamped
(in both position and direction). Here the arch is statically indeterminate to
the third degree, as there are six reaction components (three at each
support) and only three equations of static equilibrium are available. These
arches are also called hingeless arches.
Analysis d A~.clles
(a)SymmetrfcalAl-ch @)UnsymmetricalArch
. - .
(c) Simple Arch (d) Mnltipk Amh
Here,
Y R, 4 = Polar Coor&nates of P
x , y = Cartesian Coordinates of P
A We have,
x = R (sln 8 -sin 4)
=R (COS $ - cos 8)
(h) ~ i m d a (Segmentel)
r A d
1
'Slope e of arch axis with horizontal at point P :
tang = = *(l-h)
1%
where ( x , y) are coordinates of point P.
(ii) Two-hinged arches [Figure 3.2 (f)] :There are hinges at each of the
springings. This type of arch is also statically indeterminate but the degree
of indeterminacy is only one as the unknown reaction components are
four in number (two at each support).
(iii) Three-hinged arches [Figure 3.2 (g)] :In this case of arch, an extra
hinge is provided (usually at the crown of the arch), besides the two
hinges provided at the springings. Since bending moments at the hinges
are zero, these three hinges provide the three extra equations to determine
the support reactions besides the three equations of statics. Thus, a
three-hinged arch is a statically determinute structure.
(d) The arches can be classified according to the shape o'f the soffit curve, e.g.
circular (or segmental), parabolic, cycloid, inverted catenary etc. as shown in
.Figures 3.2 (h) and (i).
(e) Arches can also be (i) linear arches in which case there centre-lines are
composed of a series of straight segments fonning a curve, or (ii) trussed
arches in which case they are composed of a number of linear elements joined
together to form a non-linearlcurved truss [Figures 3.1 (b) and (c)].
Rolling Loads and
Influence Lines
3.3 ANALYSIS OF THREE-HINGED ARCHES
3.3.1 Determination of Reactions
The two-hinged arch can be made statically determinate by introducing a third hinge at
the crown of the arch.
Example 3.1
Let us consider the three-hinged arch shown in Figure 3.3. This type of arch is
statically determinate as now an extra equation is available by taking bending
moments of all leftlright hand side forces about C as zero.
F i p n 3.3
Solution
Let us fist obtain vertical reactions. Taking moments about A of all the forces,
(vBx10)-(100x2) = 0
Now, let us take moments about C of all forces acting on the right side of hinge C :
(VBx5)-(HBx3) = 0
... HB = -
VB --
20 - 33.3 kN (acting towards the right) c
3 - 3
Applying equilibrium equation Fx = 0 ; * HA- HB = 0
We get, HA = 33.3 kN (acting towards the left) +
Thus, all four reactions could be obtained here.
The bending moment at D is as follows :
M D = (VAx 2) - (HAx 2.5) = (80 x 2) - (33.3 x 2.5) = 76.75 kN m
Comparing this with a simply supported beam of same span and loading,
In that case, M D will be = (VAx 2) = (80 x 2) = 160 kN m.
Therefore, as it was brought gut in the Section 3.1, the arch action has reduced the
moment at D by a value equal to
- 76'75 x 100 = 52% approximately.
160
This has happened because of the hogging moment due to horizontal reaction.
Example 3.2 (Three-hinged Symmetrical Parabolic Arch)
Figure 3.4 shows a three-hinged symmetrical parabolic arch of span 100 m and
central rise of 25 m. It is required to find the support reactions due to the loading
shown. The left half of the span carries a uniformly distributed load of 2 kN/m
while two concentrated loads of 50 kN and 100 kN act at 30 m and 10 m from right
hand support as shown.
Analysis oi Arches
Figure 3.4
Solution
As shown in Figure 3.2 (i), the equation of the symmetrical parabolic arch with A
as origin can be written as follows :
The height of the load point D will be => y~ = 70 x (100 - 70) = 21 m,and
100
I t gives, VA = 100 kN
Applying the condition of vertical equilibrium,
V A + V B = ( 2 ~ 5 0 ) + 5 0 + 1 0 0= 250
Solution
Taking A as origin, let the equation of the parabola be
a = ---1
l W ' and b = 1
Substituting above values in Eq. (i), the equation of the parabola becomes
Now taking moments of all forces about B and applying MB = 0,we get,
( v A ~ 9 o ) - ( H A ~ 9 ) - ( 1 ~ X 6 o ) + 5 0 ~ ( 2 1=- 0
9) (vi)
and since bending moment at Cis zero, MC = 0 (of left hand forces), we have,
(VAx 50) - (HAx 25) - (100 x 20) - (25 - 21) x 50 = 0 (vii)
It can be easily seen from the free-body diagrams and their equilibrium condjtions that.
the vertical reaction components are same in magnitude for a beam or arch of same-span
and similarly-loaded as shown in Figure 3.7.
where,
M = bending moment at the point D of the arch,
p = bending moment at the corresponding point D' of the beam,
H = horizontal thrust at springing, and
x, y = co-ordinates of the point D.
This reduction in bending moment is known as arch action.
Another important point of difference between a beam and an arch is the internal stress
resultants acting at a transverse section. For a horizontal beam shown in Figure 3.7 (c),
the transverse section is vertical, and for vertical loads it will have only the two internal
stress resultants, i.e. the bending moment, M and the vertical transverse shear, S
[Figure 3.7 (e)]. Whereas, the arch axis being curved, its slope at any point whose
coordinates are (x, y) will be given by tan 0 = dY ,(where y =Ax) is the equation of the
dx
arch axis). Now a transverse section of the arch will be inclined making an angle of 0
with the vertical. Thus, it will have three internal stress resultants, i.e. (i) a bending
moment M, (ii) a normal thrust N inclined at 0 with horizontal, and (iii) a transvefse shear
S (inclined at 0 with vertical) as shown in Figure 3.7 (d).
These ideas are explained in the next two sections by means of concrete examples.
3.3.3 Bending Moment Diagrams for Three-Hinged Arches
Example 3.4
Draw the BM diagrams for the three-hinged parabolic arch given in Example 3.2.
Find the bending moment, normal thrust and radial shear at a point 2 0 m from
either support.
Solution
Referring to Example 3.2 where the reactions RA,RE,HA, HE have already been
calculated, we first draw the beam bending moment diagram (p diagram) and
then on the same horizontal axis, draw the arch action diagram (Hy diagram).
The difference of the ordinates of the two diagrams (p - Hy) will give the net
bending moment (M)for the arch.
(h) BM Diagram
(Shaded)
The height of the points P and Q (20 m from either support) is given by
Hy = (100) [w]
x 100-x
= 100x - 2 for the entire span of the arch.
x 100-x
[Since y = for the given parabola as already determined in Example3.2.1
100
Thus, H y is also a parabola and is drawn by firm line on the same side as p
diagram in Figure 3.8 (a). It can be seen that the p and H y diagrams both coincide
between A and C, hence, M = p - H y = 0 between these points.
m e value of Hyis 2100 k~ m at D (x' = 30 m, y = 21 m) and 900 kN m at E
( i = 10 m, y = 9 m). Hence, H y is always less than the beam bending moment p
and the bending moment diagram lies above it and is shown by the shaded portion
of diagram [Figure 3.8 (a)].
Thus, the net bending moment is always positive between the points C and B. Its
value is (2500 - 2100) = 400 kN m at point D and (1500 - 900) = 600 kN m at
point E.
Normal Thrust and Radial Shear
To find the normal thrust and radial shear at a points P and Q which are 20 m from
A and B respectively (x = 20), firstly, we determine its height above springing level.
tan 850.6
N 0 d t h f u s t . N = H A C O S ~ +~ s i n e - ( ~ ~ ~ ) s i n e (3.2a)
x
Here, P,, are sum of all the external loads acting over the portion of the beam
and 0 is the slope of the tangent at the given point with the horizontal.
4h
Here
(a) Three-Wnged
Arch
A (b) BM DLagmm
M = p-Hy = 6 4 ~ - 4 %= 6 4 ~ - 4 0
L
'1A
= 24x
4x2
+-10
(always sagging)
With Bas origin and x'y' as co-ordinates, this equation can be written as :
We will analyse this arch for horizontal reaction, moment, radial shear and normal
thrust and use the same to obtain influence lines for them.
SAQ I
Sllow that tor a symmetrical parabolic arch loadt>dby a unifornll?:dlstribured l(~2il
alotlg its wholt%span. Ule bzricimg momi'ut at any polat is m o . Vvh'lt w ~ lbc
l tl~e
~rtjrrnaltilrust and radial silear at any given paint ?
SAQ 2
:2 thucc-hinged syiruneb~cdlpar;lbol~ca r ~ lhasl a span ot 90 In auld a central rice ot
15 m. It Larries two 100 kN loads at 15 111 and 30 rn frorn iieie h a d support m d :I
umfornlly dnhl~ibutedload 01 3 kN/zil over Uic right half of the spar) D r i ~ uthe
hending nloment J~agranimd cdlculate rtnc bending monlenl, nor~iulehr usl and
racl~dlshear a1 a point 31) in Prorn U~leright hand supporr.
Rolling Loads and
Influence Lines
3.4 INFLUENCE LINES FOR THREE-HINGED ARCHES
3.4.1 Influence Lines for Horizontal Reaction, Moment, Radial Shear
and Normal Thrust - General Case
'
In this section, we shall consider the action of moving loads over an arch. For this,
influence line diagrams for horizontal reaction (H), bending moment (M), normal
thrust (N), and radial shear (S) will be discussed here.
Let us consider a typical three-hinged arch with two hinges at A and B and the third hinge
at the crown at C as shown in Figure 3.10 (a).
mqq-
Three-Hinged
Arch
co
..
Thus, 1,
Therefore, VA = 1- VB = 1 - k.
(ii)
Ann1y-sisof Arches
... H = - -V- g x L - kL
2h 2h
Similarly, when unit load is between C and B, then taking moment of all forces on
the left of unit load about C:
we get, (GX4)- ( H X ~ =) o
(iii)
From both values of H obtained in Eq. (ii) and (iii), we observe that it is directly
related to position of unit load which is kL in this case. The variation of value of H
can be obtained by assigning different values to kL. For example, at A, we have,
kL = 0; H = 0 at A. Also, at B , we have, kL = I; therefore, substituting this value
in Eq. (iii), we get, H = 0. As can be seen, the maximum value for H from both
L . L
the equations is at -, 1.e. at C and is H = -
2 4h
This variation has been drawn in Figure 3.10 (b) and represents the influence line
for horizontal reaction H.
Analysis and Influence Line for Bending Moment, M
Consider a point D on the arch whose horizontal distance is x from A and vertical
height is yo from base.
Then, by taking moment of all forces on the right of D about D, we can write
So, we can cbnveniently draw the variation for moment at D from Eq. (vi) by first
drawing the ILD of be.am bending moment for D and then superimposing on it the
1L.D for Hy shown in Figure 3.10 (b). This is shown in Figure 3.10 (c) wherein the
net moment (p - HyD) is shown hatched.
Analysis and Influence Line for Radial Shear, S
The radial shear at any section D comprises two parts, namely the shear caused by
the vertical loads and the shear caused by horizontal reaction H.
Consider the free body diagram shown in Figure 3.7 (d).
It can be seen that by resolving forces VA and H along the normal to the tangent at
G, the radial shear at D works out to be as follows :
S = Scos0-Hsin0 (vL>
Here 0 is the inclination of arch axis to the hvrizontal and S is the beam shear ?f "
So, here again the IL for "radial shear" can be ,,~ttaineueasily in two parts. The
first part represents the shear in a simple beam which is multiplied by cos 0. The
Rolling Loads and second part is the influence line for H shown in Figure 3.10 (b) multiplied by sin 8.
lllfluence Lines
Once these two are combined as per Eq. (vii), we get IL for radial shear at D and is
shown in Figure 3.10 (d). The hatched portion is the resultant diagram.
Anaylsis and Influence Line for Normal Thrust, N
The normal thrust is the axial force acting along the arch axis at any point. In order
to understand its concept, focus on Figute 3.7 (d), wherein in a free body diagram,
all the forces and their components along the tangent to arch at point D are shown.
The components of VA and H along the tangent give us 'normal thrust' as follows :
N = S'sin8+Hcos8 (viii)
Thus, normal thrust also has two parts which can be combined to obtain its
intluence line. It is a compressive force and this is characteristic of an arch. The
influence line for 'normal thrust' is shown in Figure 3.10 (e). The hatched portion
gives the net values.
4x5
In this case, x 8 x (25 - 8) = 4.352 m
yD = %-Ti?
Anal
x ( L - X ) - 8 ~ ( 2 5 - 8 ).
We know CL= L - = 5.44 (with apex below D)
25
L
and 225 x 4.352 = 5.44 (with apex below C )
H x y D = ~ ~ 4 . 3 =5 -
4h 4x5
The maximum positive BM at D occurs, as can be seen from the influence line,
when the load is on the section. Thus,
The above results can also be obtained by simple analysis of the arch without using
the influence line diagram. This is explained below.
(i) Maximum positive BM occurs when load is at h e section D itself.
In this case, VBx 25 = 100 x 8 ; :. V B = 32 kN
:. VA = 100-32 = 6 8 k N
Take moments about C, we get,
Mc = ( V B X1 2 . 5 ) - ( H x ~ )= 0
= 400-544 = - 1 4 4 k N
This is also the same result as obtained by influence line approach earlier.
Rolling Loads and 3.4.3 To Determine Maximum Bending Moment and Horizontal Thrust
Muence Lines
for a Circular Arch
Example 3.7
Consider a three-hinged circular arch of rise 10 m and span of 50 m, with a load of
100 kN travelling from A to B. We have to determine maximum horizontal thrust
and maximum (negative) and (positive) BM at 15 m from A.
Solution
(i) Let us first determine the radius of the ,lrc h from the first principle (Figure 3.12)
We have, lO(2R- 11))= 25x25
30 x 25
We also know, :. H = ------ -- 7;; E - 3
-
10
:. MD = ( V ~ x 3 5 ) - ( H x y ~ )
= (30 x 35) (75 x 8.'59) = 1050 - 644.25 = 405.75 kN m
The same value could also be obtainec I #ram IL diagram as shown below
. .
(iii) The maximum negative BM will develop when load is at crown C. Analysis of Arches
In this case, VA = VB = 50 kN
and Mc = (50x25)-(Hx10) = 0
:. H = 125 kN in
Thus, :. = (VA x 15) - (125 x 8.59) = - 324 kN m
MD (negd,e)
The same result could also be obtained from IL diagram as shown below :
(a) Three-Hinged
Arch
(b) Net BM
Diagram
Figure 3.13 :Three Hinged Arch under Concentrated and U n i € o d y Distributed Load and its Net BMD
Solution
(a) The arch geometry is to be first determined to find ordinates at D and E
3 2 3
a t x = 5 m : y o = -[(40x5)-5 ] =~ ~ 1 = 2.63m
7 5
200 8 200
Similarly, y~ = 4.5 m
Also we know that
Thus, :. OD = 24.22'
Finally, we get,
sin 0 = 0.4104
RoUing Loads and
Mnence Lines
Similarly, for x = 30 m, i.e. point E, we get, 8~ = - 16.70'
and VA = 908.a kN
(d) To determine horizontal thrust H; take moments about central hinge C of all
forces on left of C, we get
(908.20 x 20) - (100 x 15) - €100~ ' ( 6- 2.63)] - (H X 6) = 0
Thus, we get H = 1387.8 IrN
(e) We have now to determine net moments at D and E.
\ /
= + 391.1 IrN m (sagging) [Figure 3.13 @)I.
Similarly, if required the bending moment at other points can also be found, e.g.
Mx in zone AD
d x (a) Three-Hinged
P s m h n l i ~A r ~ h
figure 3.14
This IL for moment at D has been shown ih Figure 3.14 (b) in which 6 e ordinate
Thus, we find cclis same as ddl which is the ordinate for diagram of p.
6
An inspection of IL for moment at D clearly indicates that maximum positive moment will
occur when the load is at section D itself.
The positive moment ordinate, dd2 = ddl - dld2
(iii)
In order to obtain absolute maximum positive moment anywhere on arch, we differentiate
Eq. (iii) with respect to x, and equate to zero. This results in a quadratic equation, which
on solution gives two values of x, i.e. xl = 0.211 L and x2 = 0.789 L which are
symmetrically.situated points.
Rolling Loads and Substituting for xl = 0.211 L in Eq. (iii), we get max positive moment = 0.0962 L. The
Influence Lines
maximum positive bending moment diagram is shown in Figure 3.14 (c).
Similarly, maximum negative moment will occur when unit load is at C.
On differentiation with respect to x and equating to zero, we get the point where absolute
maximum negative moment will occur, and it is
Figure 3.15
Solution
We have,
At x = 5 , we get,
We have just seen in Section 3.3.5 [Figure 3.14 (b)] that maximum positive moment
occurs when load is at the section itself. For this position of load, i.e. when 100 kN
load is at D, we get,
~ a l c i nmoment
~ about C,
MD = (25 x 15) - (62.5 x 3) Analysis of Arches
Hence,
= 375 - 187.5 = 187.5 kN m (maximum positive moment)
' Similarly, maximum negative moment occurs when load is at C.
For this position; '
and :. Hx4=50x10
.A tf~i'{:i:-hi[lg?ds y ~ n ~ ip;)r&c~l:c
~ ~ r j;t:k.i*: ~100 171 cpd,i ;Ji:<! .::,I ; q 1 ts.. 1,
~ ~:-!I' cr.ik~,,,~:
!I-,: cjisuibutctj !iv,: i:13,d :?! 3 kN/:ji vjhic;: ya!\ c?<k:!jg\ ;:n:.
;r rj;lif'c>ri~)ly . .-A+,a
.. i-: .4 s:i
..6' ,.:,L.
spa3 pltis 3 cc~11ceziu;~tetiw.i~i:el load !!! !-I(; k?;, Fillti !he nriaxiri:u!:\ b;.:;r!i:jc
r!1on?txnt,nortrial thrusl arut ~,adialshi:;i~ iiue :!a this loatilng ;r! ,I poirir 25 n! l'r: :nr
i::ft h;i:;d suppor:.
83
Rolling Loads and
Ionuence Lines 3.5 SUMMARY
The three-hinged arch is a statically determinate arch, with a hinge at the centre. The
moment at any point in the arch is reduced due to hogging moment because of horizontal
reaction at supports. The relationship and influence lines for horizontal reaction, moment,
radial shear and normal thrust have been obtained for a parabolic arch. These concepts
have then been used to obtain maximum bending moment due to concentrated and
uniformly distributed loads. In the end, the concept of absolute maximum bending
moment was discussed and its application has been explained.