Gh.

Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures

Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 1 -


STATICALLY DETERMINATE ARCHES
THE PARABOLIC ARCH

Let solve the following statically determinate parabolic arch:

Y
X
20kN/m
f

=

5

m
L/2 = 10 m L/2 = 10 m
A
C
B
H =100 kN
A
V =150 kN
A
H =100 kN
B
V =50 kN
B
L = 20 m
H =0 kN
A
V =150 kN
A
V =50 kN
B
0 0
20kN/m
C
+
a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m a=2m
1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
-
Q
0
M
0
1
5
0
1
1
0
7
0
3
0
1
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
2
6
0
4
4
0
5
4
0
M
(
x
)
=
5
6
2
.
5
5
6
0
5
0
0
4
0
0
3
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
x=7.5m

Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 2 -

1. The degree of static determinacy:

3 ( ) 3 2 (1 2 4) 0
s
n c l r = + = + =

2. The equation of the parabolic arch is (see the Appendix):

2
4
( ) ( )
f x
y x l x
l

=

3. From the static equilibrium equations sets the reactive forces of the parabolic arch are:

( )
0: 20 20 10 5 0 50
0: 10 5 0 100
A B B
right
C B B B
M V V kN
M V H H kN
= = =

= = =

( )
0: 20 20 10 15 0 150
0: 10 20 10 5 5 0 100
B A A
left
C A B A
M V V kN
M V H H kN
= = =

= = =

Because H
A
=H
B
, it could be generically written that the arch thrusts are H
A
=H
B
=H.

Global force equlibrium check:
0: 100 100 0
0: 20 10 150 50 200 0
X A B
Y A A
F H H
F V V
= = =

= + = + =

4. The recurrence relationships for the internal efforts are:

0
tan
0
0
cos sin sin cos sin
sin cos cos sin cos
i
left
i A i xi i i i i i
left
n i A i xi i i i i i
left
xi A i xi k i i i
F H V R H Q N
F H V R H Q Q
M V x R a H y M H y M


= + = =
= + = + =
= = =

where M
i
0
and Q
i
0
are the corresponding internal efforts in the attached simple supported beam
identically loaded.

It could be observed that:

0
0
0
C
C C
M
M M H f H
f
= = =

which means that in order to reduce the thrusts magnitudes, the rise of the arch has to be decreased.

To find the internal efforts, the arch must be separated in an appropriate number of voussoirs,
the optimum number being between 8 and 12, having equal length projections on the abscissa. If the
number of the cross-sections are under the minimum recommended number, the risk of fake internal
effort diagrams is greater. Choosing more than 12 cross-sections, has frequently been observed as not
usually necessary.
Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 3 -
Y
X
f

=

5

m
A
H
V
x
i
i

i
n
tan
Hcos
Hsin
V sin
V cos
A
A
A

i
y
i
R
xi
a
k
R cos
xi

i
R sin
xi

i





Internal efforts in
the attached
simple
supported beam
Arch internal efforts
C
r
o
s
s
-

s
e
c
t
i
o
n

x
i

[m]
y
i

[m]
tg
i
sin
i
cos
i

Q
i
0

M
i
0
N
i
Q
i
M
i

A 0 - 1.000 0.707 0.707 150 0 -176.78 35.36 0
1 2 1.80 0.800 0.625 0.781 110 260 -146.80 23.43 80
2 4 3.20 0.600 0.514 0.857 70 440 -121.76 8.57 120
3 6 4.20 0.400 0.371 0.928 30 540 -103.99 -9.28 120
4 8 4.80 0.200 0.196 0.981 -10 560 -96.10 -29.42 80
C 10 5.00 0.000 0.000 1.000 -50 500 -100.00 -50.00 0
5 12 4.80 -0.200 -0.196 0.981 -50 400 -107.86 -29.42 -80
6 14 4.20 -0.400 -0.371 0.928 -50 300 -111.42 -9.28 -120
7 16 3.20 -0.600 -0.514 0.857 -50 200 -111.47 8.57 -120
8 18 1.80 -0.800 -0.625 0.781 -50 100 -109.32 23.43 -80
B 20 - -1.000 -0.707 0.707 -50 0 -106.07 35.36 0


Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 4 -
FINAL INTERNAL EFFORTS DIAGRAMS




A
C
B
1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
-
177
147
122
104
96
100
108
111
111
109
106
N [kN]
-
35
23
9
9
29
50
29
9
9
23
35
Q [kN]
+
+
A
C
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
A
C
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
80
120
120
80
80
120
120
80
M [kNm]
+
-
Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 5 -

Appendix

To define a parabola, three (x, y) sets of coordinates are required. For a given sag f (theheight of the arch) and
a span l (the arch width), and considering the parabolic arch with the notations above presented having the
origin of the global system of axes in the left arch spring , then three points could be identified as follows:
[ ] (0, 0) A = , [ ] , 0
2
l
B

=


, and [ ] ,
2
l
C f

=


(1)
The general form of a parabola equation is:

2
y ax bx c = + + (2)

To find the variables a, b and c, respectively, the boundary conditions must be substituted into the above
equation of the parabola, resulting:

2
0 0 0 0 for x y a b c = = + + = (3a)

2

2 2 2
l l l
for x y a b c f

= = + + =


(3b)

2
0 for x l y a l b l c = = + + = (3c)

The equation (3.a) obviously gives c=0, and from the equation system (3.b) and (3.c), the parabolic arch
equation is obtained as follows:
( )
2
4
( )
f
y x x l x
l

= (4)

The slope of an i cross section of the arch is given by:
( )
2
( ) 4
tan 2
i
dy x f
l x
dx l

= = (5)
and


2
tan
sin
1 tan
i
i
i

=
+

2
1
cos
1 tan
i
i

=
+
(6)


Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 6 -

THE CIRCULAR ARCH
Let solve the following statically determinate circular arch:

Y
X
20kN/m
f

=

R

=

1
0

m
R = 10 m R = 10 m
A
C
B
H =50 kN
A
V =150 kN
A
H =50 kN
B
V =50 kN
B
L = 20 m
H =0 kN
A
V =150 kN
A
V =50 kN
B
0 0
20kN/m
C
+
1
2
3 4
5
6
-
Q
0
M
0
1
5
0
1
1
0
7
0
3
0
1
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
2
6
0
4
4
0
5
4
0
M
(
x
)
=
5
6
2
.
5
5
6
0
5
0
0
4
0
0
3
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
x=7.5m
a
=
3
0

a
=
4
5

a
=
6
0

R cos a R cos a
a
=
3
0

a
=
4
5

a
=
6
0

Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 7 -
1. The degree of static determinacy:

3 ( ) 3 2 (1 2 4) 0
s
n c l r = + = + =

2. The equation of the circular arch is:

2 2
( ) ( ) y x R x R =

3. From the static equilibrium equations sets the reactive forces of the parabolic arch are:

( )
0: 20 20 10 5 0 50
0: 10 10 0 50
A B B
right
C B B B
M V V kN
M V H H kN
= = =

= = =

( )
0: 20 20 10 15 0 150
0: 10 20 10 5 10 0 50
B A A
left
C A B A
M V V kN
M V H H kN
= = =

= = =

Because H
A
=H
B
, it could be generically written that the arch thrusts are H
A
=H
B
=H.

Global force equlibrium check:
0: 100 100 0
0: 20 10 150 50 200 0
X A B
Y A A
F H H
F V V
= = =

= + = + =

4. The recurrence relationships for the internal efforts are the same as for the parabolic arch
as follows:
0
tan
0
0
cos sin sin cos sin
sin cos cos sin cos
i
left
i A i xi i i i i i
left
n i A i xi i i i i i
left
xi A i xi k i i i
F H V R H Q N
F H V R H Q Q
M V x R a H y M H y M


= + = =
= + = + =
= = =

where M
i
0
and Q
i
0
are the corresponding internal efforts in the attached simple supported beam
identically loaded, the distances x
i
are
- for voussoirs 1, 2, 3: x
i
=R(1-cos a)
- for voussoirs 4, 5, 6: x
i
=R(1+cos a).

The slope is given by the first derivative of the arch equation:

2 2
( )
tan
( )
i
dy x R x
dx
R x R

= =


and
tan tan(90 )
i
a = , sin sin(90 )
i
a = , cos cos(90 )
i
a = .

To find the internal efforts, the arch was separated into a number of 8 voussoirs, and in the following
table the internal efforts are solved using the recurrence relationships above mentioned.

Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 8 -

Internal efforts
in the attached
simple
supported beam
Arch internal efforts
C
r
o
s
s
-
s
e
c
t
i
o
n

X
i

[m]
Y
i

[m]
tg
i
sin
i
cos
i

Q
0
M
0
N
i
Q
i
M
i

A 0.000 0 1.000 0.000 150 0 -150.00 -50.00 0.00
1 1.340 5.00 1.732 0.866 0.500 123 184.2 -131.52 18.20 -65.80
2 2.929 7.07 1.000 0.707 0.707 91.4 353.65 -99.98 29.27 0.10
3 5.000 8.66 0.577 0.500 0.866 50 500 -68.30 18.30 66.99
C 10.000 10.00 0.000 0.000 1.000 -50 500 -50.00 -50.00 0.00
4 15.000 8.66 -0.577 -0.500 0.866 -50 250 -68.30 -18.30 -183.01
5 17.071 7.07 -1.000 -0.707 0.707 -50 146.5 -70.71 0.00 -207.05
6 18.660 5.00 -1.732 -0.866 0.500 -50 67.5 -68.30 18.30 -182.50
B 20.000 0 -1.000 0.000 -50 0 -50.00 50.00 0.00




FINAL INTERNAL EFFORTS DIAGRAMS



A
C
B
1
2
3 4
5
6
-
150
131.5
99.98
68.3
50
68.3
70.7
50
N [kN]
68.3
-
A
C
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
-
50
18.20
29.27
18.3
50
50
Q [kN]
-
A
C
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.1
65.8
67
183.1
207
M [kNm]
182.5
+
+
+
18.3
18.3
0
+
-

Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 9 -

THE ARCH WITH OVERHEIGHTED TIE ROD

Let find the internal efforts in the tie rods for the following statically determinate parabolic arch:
Y
X
20kN/m
f

=

5

m
L/2 = 10 m L/2 = 10 m
A
C
B
H =0
A
V =150 kN
A
V =50 kN
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 T T
J J'
a
a

1. The degree of static determinacy:

3 ( ) 3 7 (9 2 3) 0
s
n c l r = + = + =
2. The equation of the parabolic arch is (see the Appendix):
2
4
( ) ( )
f x
y x l x
l

=
3. From the static equilibrium equations sets the reactive forces of the parabolic arch are (it is
a simply supported undeformable structure):
0: 0
X A
F H = =

( )
0: 20 20 10 5 0 50
A B B
M V V kN = = =

( )
0: 20 20 10 15 0 150
B A A
M V V kN = = =

Because H
A
=H
B
, it could be generically written that the arch thrusts are H
A
=H
B
=H.

Global force equlibrium check:

0: 20 10 150 50 200 0
Y A A
F V V = + = + =

4. Making a complete cross-section (a-a) through the internal hinge C of the arch, and
replacing the tie rod with a couple of internal efforts T, the following equations could be
written as follows:
0: 10 3 0 166.67
right
C B
M V T T kN = = =
or
0: 10 20 10 5 3 0 166.67
left
C A
M V T T kN = = =
Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iai Structural Statics Statically Determinate Structures
Department of Structural Mechanics Senior Lecturer Cezar Aanici, Dr. Eng.


- 10 -
5. The efforts in the inclined and vertical tie rods, respectively, are determined using
the joint isolation method:

T=166.67 kN
J
N
J3
N
JA
1
8

0: cos18 0 158.51
X JA JA
F T N N kN = = =

3 3
0: sin18 0 51.50
Y J J
F T N N kN = = =

Consquently, the arch could be considered as being subjected to the following equivalent load
system of forces:
Y
X
20kN/m
f

=

5

m
L/2 = 10 m L/2 = 10 m
A
C
B
V =150 kN
A
V =50 kN
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
51.50 kN
158.51kN
51.50 kN
158.51kN

or, after decomposing on both directions the inclined forces and adding them with the
vertical reactive forces,
Y
X
20kN/m
f

=

5

m
L/2 = 10 m L/2 = 10 m
A
C
B
V =198.98 kN
A
V =98.98 kN
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
51.50 kN
150.75 kN
51.50 kN
150.75 kN


and the same recurrence relationships could be used to solve for the internal efforts diagrams,
but being careful that the concentrated forces will determine jumps in the axial force and
shear force diagrams, respectively.