CVEN 201

Fundamentals of Structural Analysis

LECTURE NOTES

2 credit units

CABLES AND ARCHES

 Cables
 Cables subjected to concentrated loads
 Cables subjected to uniformly distributed loads
 Arches
 Three Hinged Arch
 Three Hinged Parabolic Arch
 Three Hinged Circular Arch

By Engr. Aliyu A. Ozovehe

1
CABLES
Flexible cables have been used to form structural systems for many centuries. Some of the earliest
man-made structures of any size were hanging bridges constructed from jungle vines and creepers
and spanning ravines and rivers. In European literature the earliest description of an iron
suspension bridge was published by Verantius in 1607, while ropes have been used in military
bridging from at least 1600. In modem times, cables formed by binding a large number of steel
wires together are employed in bridge construction where the bridge deck is suspended on hangers
from the cables themselves. The cables in turn pass over the tops of towers and are fixed to anchor
blocks embedded in the ground; in this manner large, clear spans are achieved. Cables are also
used in cable-stayed bridges, as part of roof support systems, for prestressing in concrete beams
and for guyed structures such as pylons and television masts.

Structurally, cables are extremely efficient because they make the most effective use of structural
material in that their loads are carried solely through tension. There is, therefore, no tendency for
buckling to occur either from bending or from compressive axial loads). However, many of the
structures mentioned above are statically indeterminate to a high degree. In other situations,
particularly in guyed towers and cable-stayed bridges, the extension of the cables affects the
internal force system and the analysis becomes non-linear.

Cables are often used in engineering structures for support and to transmit loads from one member
to another. When used to support suspension roofs, bridges, and trolley wheels, cables form the
main load-carrying element in the structure. In the force analysis of such systems, the weight of
the cable itself may be neglected; however, when cables are used as guys for radio antennas,
electrical transmission lines, and derricks, the cable weight may become important and must be
included in the structural analysis. Two cases will be considered in the sections that follow: a cable
subjected to concentrated loads and a cable subjected to a distributed load. Provided these loadings
are coplanar with the cable, the requirements for equilibrium are formulated in an identical manner.

Two categories of cable arise; the first is relatively lightweight and carries a limited number of
concentrated loads, while the second is heavier with a more uniform distribution of load. We shall
also examine, in the case of suspension bridges, the effects of different forms of cable support at
the towers.

2
1. CABLES SUBJECTED TO CONCENTRATED LOADS

In the analysis of this type of cable we shall assume that the self-weight of the cable is negligible,
that it can only carry tensile forces and that the extension of the cable does not affect the geometry
of the system, cable is perfectly flexible and inextensible, no resistance to shear/bending, force
acting on the cable is always tangent to the cable at points along its length. When a cable of
negligible weight supports several concentrated loads, the cable takes the form of several straight-
line segments, each of which is subjected to a constant tensile force. We shall illustrate the method
by examples.

Examples

1. Find the tension in cable AB.

∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 0; −𝑇𝐴𝐵 (3⁄ ) + 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (1⁄ ) = 0

√10 √2

𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 0.745𝑇𝐵𝐶

∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 0; 𝑇𝐴𝐵 (1⁄ ) + 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (1⁄ ) − 20 = 0

√10 √2

𝑇𝐴𝐵 (1⁄ ) + 𝑇𝐴𝐵 × 1⁄0.745 (1⁄ ) = 20

√10 √2

1.265 𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 20

𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 15.81𝑘𝑁

3
2. A hoisting device uses the cable system shown. If the load of 𝑃 = 5𝑘𝑁, then the load at point
B is?

∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 0; −𝑇𝐶𝐷 (1⁄ ) − 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (3⁄ )=0

√5 √10

𝑇𝐶𝐷 = 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (3⁄ ) × √5

√10

𝑇𝐶𝐷 = 2.127 𝑇𝐵𝐶

∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 0; −5 + 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (1⁄ ) + 𝑇𝐶𝐷 (2⁄ ) = 0

√10 √5

−5 + 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (1⁄ ) + 2.127 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (2⁄ ) = 0

√10 √5

𝑇𝐵𝐶 = 2.25 𝑘𝑁

∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 0; 2.25 (3⁄ ) − 𝑇𝐴𝐵 (1⁄ ) = 0

√10 √2

𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 3.02 𝑘𝑁

∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 0; −𝐵 + 3.02 (1⁄ ) − 2.25 (1⁄ )=0

√2 √10

𝐵 = 1.42 𝑘𝑁

4
3. Cable ABCD supports the loading shown below. Determine the maximum tension in the cable
and the sag at point B.

Approach

i. Apply equilibrium to point B

ii. Apply equilibrium to point C
iii. Solve simultaneous equations 𝑦𝐵
iv. Find maximum tension

Step 1

−1 3
∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 0; 𝑇𝐴𝐵 + 𝑇𝐵𝐶 = 0
√𝑦𝐵2 + 12 √(𝑦𝐵 − 2)2 + 32

𝑇𝐴𝐵 3𝑇𝐵𝐶
=
2 +12
√𝑦𝐵 √(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32

𝑦𝐵 𝑇𝐴𝐵 (𝑦𝐵 − 2)𝑇𝐵𝐶

∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 0; + − 40 = 0
√𝑦𝐵2 + 12 √(𝑦𝐵 − 2)2 + 32

3𝑦𝐵 𝑇𝐵𝐶 (𝑦𝐵 −2)𝑇𝐵𝐶

+ = 40
√(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32 √(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32

(4𝑦𝐵 −2)𝑇𝐵𝐶
= 40 (1)
√(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32

5
Step 2.

−3 0.5
∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 0; 𝑇𝐵𝐶 + 𝑇𝐶𝐷 = 0
√(𝑦𝐵 − 2)2 + 32 √0.52 + 22

6 𝑇
𝑇 = √0.5𝐶𝐷
√(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32 𝐵𝐶 2 +22

−(𝑦𝐵 − 2) 2
∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 0; 𝑇𝐵𝐶 + 𝑇𝐶𝐷 − 60 = 0
√(𝑦𝐵 − 2)2 + 32 √0.52 + 22

−(𝑦𝐵 −2)𝑇𝐵𝐶 12 𝑇𝐵𝐶

+ = 60
√(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32 √(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32

(14−𝑦𝐵 )𝑇𝐵𝐶
= 40 (2)
√(𝑦𝐵 −2)2 +32

Step 3.

Divide equation (2) by (1)

14 − 𝑦𝐵 60 3
= =
4𝑦𝐵 − 2 40 2

28 − 2𝑦𝐵 = 12𝑦𝐵 − 6

14𝑦𝐵 = 34

𝑦𝐵 = 2.43𝑚

Step 4.

Substitute 𝑦𝐵 in equation (1)

(4×2.43−2)𝑇𝐵𝐶
= 40
√(2.43−2)2 +32

𝑇𝐵𝐶 = 15.7𝑘𝑁

From

𝑇𝐴𝐵 3𝑇𝐵𝐶
=
√𝑦𝐵2 + 12 √(𝑦𝐵 − 2)2 + 32
6
 𝑇𝐴𝐵 3 × 15.7
=
√2.432 + 12 √(2.43 − 2)2 + 32

𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 40.9𝑘𝑁

From

6 𝑇𝐶𝐷
𝑇𝐵𝐶 =
√(𝑦𝐵 − 2)2 + 32 √0.52 + 22

6 × 15.7 𝑇𝐶𝐷
=
√(2.43 − 2)2 + 32 √0.52 + 22

𝑇𝐶𝐷 = 64.1𝑘𝑁 𝐦𝐚𝐱 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

2. CABLES SUBJECTED TO UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOADS

We shall now consider the more practical case of cables having a significant self-weight.

Cables provide a very effective means of supporting the dead weight of girders or bridge decks
having very long spans. A suspension bridge is a typical example, in which the deck is suspended
from the cable using a series of close and equally spaced hangers.

In order to analyze this problem, we will first determine the shape of a cable subjected to a uniform
horizontally distributed vertical load Fig. a. Here the x, y axes have their origin located at the
lowest point on the cable, such that the slope is zero at this point. The free-body diagram of a small
segment of the cable having a length is shown in Fig. b. Since the tensile force in the cable changes
continuously in both magnitude and direction along the cable’s length, this change is denoted on
the free-body diagram by The distributed load is represented by its resultant force which acts at
from point O.

7
Applying the equations of equilibrium yields

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0; −𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + (𝑇 + ∆𝑇)𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃 + ∆𝜃) = 0

∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 0; −𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑤° (∆𝑥) + (𝑇 + ∆𝑇)𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜃 + ∆𝜃) = 0

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝑤° (∆𝑥) ∆𝑥⁄2 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃∆𝑦 + 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃∆𝑥 = 0

Dividing each of these equations by ∆𝑥 and taking the limit as ∆𝑥 → 0 and hence ∆𝜃 → 0, ∆𝑦 →
0 and ∆𝑇 → 0 we obtain,

𝑑(𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
=0 (1)
𝑑𝑥

𝑑(𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
= 𝑤° (2)
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 (3)
𝑑𝑥

Integrating (1) where 𝑇 = 𝐹𝐻 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0:

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 𝐹𝐻 (4)

Integrating (2) where 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 0 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0:

𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑤° 𝑥 (5)

Divide (5) by (4)

𝑑𝑦 𝑤° 𝑥
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑑𝑥 = (6)
𝐹𝐻

Performing an integration with y=0 at x=0 yields

𝑤
𝑦 = 2𝐹° 𝑥 2 (7)
𝐻

𝑦 = ℎ 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿

𝑤° 𝐿2
𝐹𝐻 = (8)
2ℎ

ℎ
cable profile yields equation of a parabola 𝑦 = 𝐿2 𝑥 2 (9)

8
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = √𝐹𝐻2 + (𝑤° 𝐿)2 (10)

From (8)

2
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑤° 𝐿√1 + (𝐿⁄2ℎ) (11)

Examples

1. The cable supports a girder which weighs 12 kN/m. Determine the tension in the cable at points
A, B & C.

12kN/m

The origin of the coordinate axes is established at point B, the lowest point on the cable where
slope is zero,

wo 2 12kN/m 2 6 2
y x  x  x (1)
2 FH 2 FH FH

𝑦 = 0.0389𝑥 2

Assuming point C is located x’ from B

6 2
6 x'  FH  1.0 x' 2 (2)
FH

9
From B to A

6
12  [(30  x' )]2
FH
6
12  2
[(30  x' )]2
1.0 x'

x' 2 60 x'900  0  x'  12.43m , from (2)

𝐹𝐻 = 154.4𝑘𝑁

𝑦 = 0.0389𝑥 2

𝑑𝑦
Integrating, 𝑑𝑥 = 0.0777𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃

dy
tan  C   0.966
dx x 12.43

 C  44.0o
FH 154.4
TC    214.6kN
cos C cos 44.0 o

dy
tan  A   1.366
dx x  17.57

 A  53.79 o
FH
TA   261.4kN
cos A

2. The suspension bridge in the figure below is constructed using the two stiffening trusses that
are pin connected at their ends C and supported by a pin at A and a rocker at B. Determine the
maximum tension in the cable IH. The cable has a parabolic shape and the bridge is subjected to
the single load of 50 kN.

10
∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; −12𝐶𝑦 + 8𝑇°

𝑇° = 1.5𝐶𝑦 (1)

∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0; −12𝐶𝑦 + 50 × 9 − 8𝑇° = 0

𝑇° = −1.5𝐶𝑦 + 56.25 (2)

Solving (1) and (2) simultaneously, 𝐶𝑦 = 18.75𝑘𝑁, 𝑇° = 28.125𝑘𝑁

11
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑥
°
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 28.12
𝑑𝑥

𝑤° 𝑥
𝑦=∫ 𝑑𝑥
28.12

𝑤° 𝑥 2
𝑦= + 𝐶1
28.12

𝑤° × 122
8=
2 × 28.12

𝑤° = 3.125 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚

𝑤° 𝑥 = 12 × 3.125 = 37.5𝑘𝑁

𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = √37.52 + 28.122 = 46.88𝑘𝑁

12
3. For the structure shown, determine the maximum tension of the cable

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝐵𝑦 × 5 + 𝑇° × 0.5 = 0

∑ 𝑀𝐶 = 0; 𝐵𝑦 × 20 + 20 × 10 − 𝑇° × 8 = 0

From (1) and (2), 𝐵𝑦 = 0, 𝑇° = 25𝑘𝑁

13
𝑑𝑦 𝑤° 𝑥
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑑𝑥 25

𝑤° 𝑥
𝑦=∫ 𝑑𝑥
25

𝑤° 𝑥 2
𝑦= + 𝐶1
25

𝑤° × 202
8=
2 × 25

𝑤° = 1.0 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚

𝑤° 𝑥 = 20 × 1 = 20𝑘𝑁

𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = √252 + 202 = 32.02𝑘𝑁

14
Exercises

1. Determine the tension in each segment of the cable shown in the figure below. Also, what
is the dimension h ?

Ans. TCD = 6.79 kN, TCB = 4.82 kN, TBA = 6.90 kN, h = 2.74 m

2. The cable shown below is pinned to supports at A and B and carries a concentrated load
of 10 kN at a point C. Calculate the tension in each part of the cable and the reactions at the
supports.

Ans. TCA = 12.6 kN, TCB = 13.4 kN, RA = 4kN, RB=6kN

3. Calculate the tension in each of the parts AC, CD and DB of the cable shown below

15
TCA = 29.1 kN, TDB = 28.4 kN, TCD = 27.6 kN

4. Calculate the tension in each segment of the cable known in the Figure below and also
the vertical distance of the points B and E below the support points A and F

Ans. TAB = TFE = 26.9 kN, TBC = TED = 25.5 kN, TCD = 25.0 kN, 1.0 m.

5. Calculate the sag at the point B in the cable shown in Fig. below and the tension in each
of its segments.

Ans. 0.81 m relative to A. TAB = 4.9 kN, TBC = 4.6 kN, TCD = 4.7 kN.

6. Calculate the sag, relative to A, of the points C and D in the cable shown in Fig. below.
Determine also the tension in each of its segments.

16
Ans. C = 4.2m, D = 3.1m, TAB=11.98kN, TBC=9.68kN, TCD=9.43kN.

7. A cable that carries a uniform horizontally distributed load of 10 kN/m is suspended

between two points that are at the same level and 80 m apart. Determine the minimum sag that
may be allowed at mid-span if the maximum tension in the cable is limited to l000 kN.

Ans. 8.73 m.

8. A suspension cable is suspended from two points 102 m apart and at the same horizontal
level. The self-weight of the cable can be considered to be equivalent to 36 N/m of horizontal
length. If the cable carries two concentrated loads each of 10 kN at 34 m and 68 m horizontally
from the left-hand support and the maximum sag in the cable is 3 m, determine the maximum
tension in the cable and the vertical distance between the concentrated loads and the supports.

Ans. 129.5 kN, 2.96 m.

9. A cable of a suspension bridge has a span of 80 m, a sag of 8 m and carries a uniform

horizontally distributed load of 24 kN/m over the complete span.

The cable passes over frictionless pulleys at the top of each tower which are of the same height. If
the anchor cables are to be arranged such that there is no bending moment in the towers calculate
the inclination of the anchor cables to the horizontal. Calculate also the maximum tension in the
cable and the vertical force on a tower.

Ans. 21.8", 2584.9 kN, 1919-9 kN.

10. A suspension cable passes over saddles supported by roller bearings on the top of two
towers 120 m apart and differing in height by 2.5 m. The maximum sag in the cable is 10 m and
each anchor cable is inclined at 55" to the horizontal. If the cable carries a uniform horizontally

17
distributed load of 25 kN/m and is to be made of steel having an allowable tensile stress of 240
N/mm', determine its minimum diameter. Calculate also the vertical load on the tallest tower.

Ans. 218.3 mm, 8962.9 kN.

11. A suspension cable has a sag of 40 m and is fixed to two towers of the same height and 400
m apart; the effective cross-sectional area of the cable is 0.08 m2. However, due to corrosion, the
effective cross-sectional area of the central half of the cable is reduced by 20%. If the stress in the
cable is limited to 500 N/mm2 calculate the maximum allowable distributed load the cable can
support. Calculate also the inclination of the cable to the horizontal at the top of the towers.

Ans 62.8 kN/m, 21.8".

12. A suspension bridge with two main cables has a span of 250 m and a sag of 25 m. It carries
a uniform horizontally distributed load of 25 kN/m and the allowable stress in the cables is 800
N/mm2. If each anchor cable makes an angle of 45" with the towers calculate:

a. the required cross-sectional area of the cables,

b. the load in an anchor cable and the overturning force on a tower when
i. the cables run over a pulley device,
ii. the cables are attached to a saddle resting on rollers.

Ans. (a) 5270 mm', (b) (i) 4210 kN, 930 kN (ii) 5530kN, 0.

13. A suspension cable passes over two towers 80 m apart and carries a load of 5 kN per metre
of span. If the top of the left-hand tower is 4 m below the top of the right-hand tower, calculate the
maximum tension in the cables. Also, if the cable passes over saddles on rollers on the tops of the
towers with the anchor cable at 45" to the horizontal, calculate the vertical thrust on the right-hand
tower.

Ans. 360 kN, 502 kN.

18
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.

A typical arch is shown in Fig.1, which specifies some of the nomenclature used to define its
geometry. Depending upon the application, several types of arches can be selected to support a
loading. A fixed arch, Fig. 2, is often made from reinforced concrete. Although it may require less
material to construct than other types of arches, it must have solid foundation abutments since it is
indeterminate to the third degree and, consequently, additional stresses can be introduced into the
arch due to relative settlement of its supports. A two-hinged arch, Fig. 3, is commonly made from
metal or timber. It is indeterminate to the first degree, and although it is not as rigid as a fixed arch,
it is somewhat insensitive to settlement. We could make this structure statically determinate by
replacing one of the hinges with a roller. Doing so, however, would remove the capacity of the
structure to resist bending along its span, and as a result it would serve as a curved beam, and not
as an arch. A three-hinged arch, Fig. 4, which is also made from metal or timber, is statically
determinate. Unlike statically indeterminate arches, it is not affected by settlement or temperature
changes. Finally, if two and three-hinged arches are to be constructed without the need for larger
foundation abutments and if clearance is not a problem, then the supports can be connected with a
tie rod, Fig. 5. A tied arch allows the structure to behave as a rigid unit, since the tie rod carries
the horizontal component of thrust at the supports. It is also unaffected by relative settlement of
the supports.

19
 Fig 1.

Fig 2.

Fig 3.

Fig. 4

Fig 5.

THREE HINGED ARCH

To provide some insight as to how arches transmit loads, we will now consider the analysis of a
three-hinged arch such as the one shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the third hinge is located at the
crown and the supports are located at different elevations. In order to determine the reactions at

20
the supports, the arch is disassembled and the free-body diagram of each member is shown in Fig.
6. Here there are six unknowns for which six equations of equilibrium are available. One method
of solving this problem is to apply the moment equilibrium equations about points A and B.
Simultaneous solution will yield the reactions and The support reactions are then determined from
the force equations of equilibrium. Once obtained, the internal normal force, shear, and moment
loadings at any point along the arch can be found using the method of sections. Here, of course,
the section should be taken perpendicular to the axis of the arch at the point considered. For
example, the free-body diagram for segment AD as shown in the fig 6.

Fig. 6

Three-hinged arches can also take the form of two pin-connected trusses, each of which would
replace the arch ribs AC and CB in Fig. 6. A three hinged arch may be either of the following two
types, depending upon the geometry of its axis. The analysis of this form follows the same
procedure outlined above. The following examples numerically illustrate these concepts.

Three hinged parabolic arch

21
Consider a three hinged parabolic arch ACB, having hinges at the supports A and B as well as at
crown C, as shown in the Figure below. Now, consider a point X, on the axis of the arch, at a
distance x from A.

𝑙 =span AB of the arch,

𝑦𝑐 =rise of the crown from the springings,

𝑦 = rise of the point 𝑋 from the springings, and

𝜃 =angle, which the tangent at 𝑋 makes with the horizontal.

Now, taking A as the origin, we know that, equation for the centre line of a parabolic arch is,

𝑦 = 𝑘 ∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) (1)

Where 𝑘 is a constant, when 𝑥 = 𝑙 ⁄2, 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑐 . Therefore substituting these values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in

(1), we get

𝑙 𝑙 𝑘𝑙 2
𝑦𝑐 = 𝑘 ∙ (𝑙 − ) =
2 2 4

4𝑦𝑐
𝑘=
𝑙2

Now substituting the value of 𝑘 in equation (1)

4𝑦𝑐
𝑦= ∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) (2)
𝑙2

This is the required equation for the rise 𝑦 of an arch axis, from its springings at a distance 𝑥 from
the support A or B.

𝑙 4𝑦𝑐 𝑙 𝑙 3𝑦𝑐
When 𝑥 = 4 , 𝑦 = ∙ 4 (𝑙 − 4) =
𝑙2 4

The slope of the angle 𝜃may be found out by differentiating (2) with respect to 𝑥

4𝑦𝑐 4𝑦𝑐
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = 2 ∙ (𝑙𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )
𝑙 𝑙

𝑑𝑦 4𝑦𝑐
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 2 (𝑙 − 2𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑙

22
Three hinged circular arch

Consider a three hinged circular arch ACB, having hinges at the supports A and B as well as a
crown at C. now consider a point X, on the axis of the arch at a distance x from D.

Let 𝑙 =span AB of the arch,

𝑦𝑐 =rise of the crown from the springings,

𝑦 = rise of the point 𝑋 from the springings,

𝜃 =angle, which the tangent at 𝑂𝑋 makes with the center line 𝑂𝐶,

2 ∝=angle which the two supports A and B make at the centre of the arch O.

𝑅 =radius of the circular arch and,

𝑥, 𝑦 =coordinates of the point X, with reference to the point D, which is middle of the span AB of
the arch.

Since the arch is a circular one, therefore from the geometry of the figure, we find that

𝐴𝑂 = 𝑂𝐵 = 𝑅

𝑙
𝐴𝐷 = 𝐷𝐵 =
2

𝐷𝐶 = 𝑦𝑐

From the given point X, draw XE perpendicular to OC. Then

23
𝑂𝐸 = 𝑂𝐷 + 𝐷𝐸 = (𝑅 − 𝑦𝑐 ) + 𝑦

𝑋𝐸 = 𝑥

Now, in the right angled triangle OEX, we know that,

𝑂𝑋 2 = 𝑂𝐸 2 + 𝐸𝑋 2

𝑅 2 = [(𝑅 − 𝑦𝑐 ) + 𝑦]2 + 𝑥 2 , this is the required equation that the relation between x and y.

We also know that in a segment of a circle,

𝑙 𝑙 𝑙2
𝑦𝑐 (2𝑅 − 𝑦𝑐 ) = × =
2 2 4

𝑙2
2𝑅 − 𝑦𝑐 =
4𝑦𝑐

𝑙2
2𝑅 = + 𝑦𝑐
4𝑦𝑐

𝑙2 𝑦𝑐
𝑅= +
8𝑦𝑐 2

And in triangle AOD,

𝐵𝐷 𝑙 1 𝑙
𝑠𝑖𝑛 ∝= = × =
𝐴𝑂 2 𝑅 2𝑅

𝑂𝐷 𝑅 − 𝑦𝑐
𝑐𝑜𝑠 ∝= =
𝐵𝑂 𝑅

For a given section X,

𝑥 = 𝑂𝑋𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑦 = 𝑂𝐸 − 𝑂𝐷 = 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠 ∝= 𝑅(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ∝)

24
Horizontal thrust in a three hinged arch

The arches having hinged supports, at their two ends and also having a third hinge anywhere
between the two ends are known as three hinged arches. The third hinge is usually placed at the
crown of the arch. Since no bending moment can exist at the hinges, therefore the line of thrust in
a three hinge arch must pass through the three hinges. The reaction at the two ends have both
horizontal and vertical components when an arch is subjected to vertical loads only. The horizontal
components at the two supports will be equal and opposite. When the two ends of an arch are at
the same level, the two vertical reactions RA and RB may be found out in the same way as a simply
supported beam.

Let 𝑙 =span of the arch

𝑦𝑐 =central rise of the arch

𝐻 =horizontal thrust of the arch,

A simple calculation will show that the bending moment at the crown of the arch,

𝑀𝑐 = 𝜇𝑐 − 𝐻𝑦𝑐

𝜇𝑐 =beam moment at c due to loading (by considering the arch as a simply supported beam of
span l)

𝐻𝑦𝑐 =moment due to the horizontal thrust.

Since the arch is hinged at its crown and the bending moment at the crown will be zero, then

𝜇𝑐 − 𝐻𝑦𝑐 = 0

𝜇𝑐 = 𝐻𝑦𝑐

𝜇𝑐
𝐻=
𝑦𝑐

This is the required equation for the horizontal thrust on an arch

25
Examples

1. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 40m and rise 10m is carrying a Uniformly Distributed
Load as shown below. Find the horizontal thrust at the springings.

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝑉𝐵 × 40 − 30 × 20 × 10 = 0

40𝑉𝐵 = 6000

𝑉𝐵 = 150𝑘𝑁

The beam moment at point C due to external loading,

𝜇𝑐 = 𝑉𝐵 × 20 = 150 × 20 = 3000𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝜇𝑐 3000
𝐻= = = 300𝑘𝑁
𝑦𝑐 10

2. A three hinged circular arch of span 21m has a rise of 4m. The arch is loaded with a point load
of 80kN at a horizontal distance 6m from the left support. Determine the horizontal thrust, the two
reactions and bending moment under the load.

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝑉𝐵 × 21 − 80 × 6 = 0

21𝑉𝐵 = 480

𝑉𝐵 = 22.86𝑘𝑁

𝑉𝐴 = 80 − 22.86 = 57.14𝑘𝑁

21
𝜇𝑐 = 𝑉𝐵 ×
2

26
𝜇𝑐 = 22.86 × 10.5 = 240𝑘𝑁

𝜇𝑐 240
𝐻= = = 60𝑘𝑁
𝑦𝑐 4

𝑅𝐴 = √𝑉𝐴2 + 𝐻 2

𝑅𝐴 = √57.142 + 602

𝑅𝐴 = 82.86𝑘𝑁

𝑅𝐵 = √𝑉𝐵2 + 𝐻 2

𝑅𝐵 = √22.862 + 602

𝑅𝐵 = 64.21𝑘𝑁

𝑙2 𝑦𝑐
𝑅= +
8𝑦𝐶 2

212 4
= + = 15.78𝑚
8×4 2

From the geometry of the figure ODB, we find that

𝐷𝐵 10.5
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = = = 0.6654
𝑂𝐵 15.78

∝= 41°42′

27
Similarly from the figure OXE, we find that

𝑋𝐸 10.5 − 6 4.5
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = = = = 0.2866
𝑂𝑋 15.78 15.78

𝜃 = 16°39′

Rise of the arch under the load,

𝑦 = 𝑅(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ∝)

= 15.78(𝑐𝑜𝑠16°39′ − 𝑐𝑜𝑠41°42′)

= 15.78(0.9581 − 0.7464)

= 15.78 × 0.2117 = 3.34𝑚

Bending moment at X,

𝑀𝑋 = (𝑉𝐴 × 6) − (𝐻 × 3.34)

= (57.14 × 6) − (60 × 3.34) = 142.44𝑘𝑁𝑚

3. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 20m has a rise of 5m. The arch is loaded with a point load
of 200kN at a horizontal distance 6m from the left support. Determine the horizontal thrust and
the two reactions under the load. Draw the bending moment diagram and indicate the position of
maximum bending moment.

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝑉𝐵 × 20 − 200 × 6 = 0

20𝑉𝐵 = 1200

𝑉𝐵 = 60𝑘𝑁

28
𝑉𝐴 = 200 − 60 = 140𝑘𝑁

𝜇𝑐 = 𝑉𝐵 × 10 = 600𝑘𝑁𝑚

600
𝐻= = 120𝑘𝑁
5

𝑅𝐴 = √𝑉𝐴2 + 𝐻 2

𝑅𝐴 = √1402 + 1202

𝑅𝐴 = 184.4𝑘𝑁

𝑅𝐵 = √𝑉𝐵2 + 𝐻 2

𝑅𝐵 = √602 + 1202

𝑅𝐵 = 134.2𝑘𝑁

Position of maximum bending moment

i. Draw the arch ACB with the given span and rise
ii. Since the bending moment at A, B and C is zero, therefore join B and C and extend the
line.
iii. Draw a vertical line through D, meeting the line BC at E.
iv. Join AE.

Now, AEB is the required bending moment diagram. From the bending moment diagram we see
that the maximum positive bending moment takes place under the load. Rise of the arch at D,

29
 4𝑦𝑐 4×5 6 × 14
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = 2
× 6(20 − 6) = = 4.2𝑚
𝑙 20 20

Therefore the maximum moment at D,

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (𝑉𝐴 × 6) − (𝐻 × 4.2)

= (140 × 6) − (120 × 3.34) = 336𝑘𝑁𝑚

From the bending moment diagram, we also see that the maximum negative bending moment
occurs at the section CB. Let the maximum negative bending moment take place at the distance x
from B. we know that rise of x from B.

4𝑦𝑐 4×5
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = × 𝑥(20 − 𝑥)
𝑙 202

𝑥 𝑥2
= (20 − 𝑥) = 𝑥 −
20 20

Therefore bending moment at a distance x from B,

𝑥2
𝑀𝑋 = 𝑉𝐵 𝑥 − 𝐻𝑦 = 60𝑥 − 120 (𝑥 − )
20

= 60𝑥 − 120𝑥 + 6𝑥 2 = 6𝑥 2 − 60𝑥

Now, for maximum bending moment, we differentiate the above equation with respect to x and
equate to zero.

𝑑(6𝑥 2 − 60𝑥)
=0
𝑑𝑥

12𝑥 − 60 = 0

𝑥=5

Therefore the rise at a distance 5m from B,

4𝑦𝑐 4×5 5 × 15
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = 2
× 5(20 − 5) = = 3.75𝑚
𝑙 20 20

Bending moment at 5m from B,

30
𝑀𝑋 = (𝑉𝐵 × 𝑥) − (𝐻 × 𝑦) = (60 × 5) − (120 × 3.75)

= −150𝑘𝑁𝑚

4. A parabolic three pinned arch has a span of 20m and a central rise of 4m. it is loaded with a
uniformly distributed load of 20kN/m for a length of 8m from the left hand support. Draw the
bending moment diagram for the arch and find the position of maximum bending moment over
the arch.

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝑉𝐵 × 20 − 20 × 8 × 4 = 0

20𝑉𝐵 = 640

𝑉𝐵 = 32𝑘𝑁

𝑉𝐴 = (20 × 8) − 32 = 128𝑘𝑁

𝜇𝑐 = 𝑉𝐵 × 10 = 320𝑘𝑁𝑚

320
𝐻= = 80𝑘𝑁
4

Maximum positive bending moment

i. Draw the arch ACB with the given span and rise.
ii. Since the bending at A, B and C is zero, therefore join B and C and extend it to E such that
the horizontal distance from E to A is 8m.

31
 iii. Now draw a parabolic curve AFE, after locating the point E.

From the bending moment diagram, we also see that the maximum positive bending moment
occurs at the section AD. Let the maximum positive bending moment take place at the distance x
from A. we know that rise of x from A.

4𝑦𝑐 4×4
𝑦= ∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = × 𝑥(20 − 𝑥)
𝑙2 202

𝑥 4𝑥 𝑥 2
= (20 − 𝑥) = −
25 5 25

Therefore bending moment at a distance x from A,

𝑥 2
4𝑥 𝑥 2
𝑀𝑋 = 𝑉𝐴 𝑥 − (20𝑥 × ) − 𝐻𝑦 = 128𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 80 ( − )
2 5 25

2
16𝑥 2 34𝑥 2
= 128𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 64𝑥 + = 64𝑥 −
5 5

Now, for maximum bending moment, we differentiate the above equation with respect to x and
equate to zero.

𝑑 34𝑥 2
(64𝑥 − )=0
𝑑𝑥 5

68𝑥
64 − =0
5

𝑥 = 4.7𝑚

Therefore the rise at a distance 4.7m from B,

32
 4𝑦𝑐 4×4
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = × 4.7(20 − 4.7) = 2.88𝑚
𝑙 202

Maximum bending moment at 4.7m from A,

20 × 4.72
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (𝑉𝐴 × 𝑥) − − (𝐻 × 𝑦) = (128 × 4.7) − (10 × 4.72 ) − (120 × 3.75)
2

= 601.6 − 220.9 − 230.4

= 150.3𝑘𝑁𝑚

From the bending moment diagram, we also see that the maximum negative bending moment
occurs at the section CB. Let the maximum negative bending moment take place at the distance x
from B. we know that rise of x from B.

4𝑦𝑐 4×4
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = × 𝑥(20 − 𝑥)
𝑙 202

𝑥 4𝑥 𝑥 2
= (20 − 𝑥) = −
25 5 25

Therefore bending moment at a distance x from B,

4𝑥 𝑥 2
𝑀𝑋 = 𝑉𝐵 𝑥 − 𝐻𝑦 = 32𝑥 − 80 ( − )
5 25

16𝑥 2 16𝑥 2
= 32𝑥 − 64𝑥 + = − 32𝑥
5 5

Now, for maximum bending moment, we differentiate the above equation with respect to x and
equate to zero.

𝑑 16𝑥 2
( − 32𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥 5

32𝑥
− 32 = 0
5

𝑥 = 5𝑚

Therefore the rise at a distance 5m from B,

33
 4𝑦𝑐 4×4 5 × 15 × 16
𝑦= 2
∙ 𝑥(𝑙 − 𝑥) = 2
× 5(20 − 5) = = 3𝑚
𝑙 20 20 × 20

Bending moment at 5m from B,

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (𝑉𝐵 × 𝑥) − (𝐻 × 𝑦) = (32 × 5) − (80 × 3)

= −80𝑘𝑁𝑚

Exercise

1. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 20m has a rise of 3m. The arch is loaded with a point load
of 100kN at a horizontal distance 7.5m from the left support. Determine the horizontal thrust and
the two reactions under the load and bending moment at a point 7.5m from the right support.

Ans. 125kN, 93.8kNm

2. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 𝑙 and central rise 𝑦𝑐 carries a uniformly distributed load
of 𝑤 per unit length over the left half of the span. Show that the maximum positive bending
𝑤𝑙2
moment is equal to .
64

3. A three hinged parabolic arch of span 84m has a rise of 18m. The arch is loaded with a uniformly
distributed load of 20kN/m over a 1/3 of the span from the left support. Calculate the bending
moment at the quarter span point.

Ans. 2450kNm, -980kNm

4. A three hinged circular arch of span 25m has a rise of 5m. The arch is loaded with a point load
of 100kN at a horizontal distance 7.5m from the left support. Determine the horizontal thrust and
the bending moment under the load.

Ans. 75kN, 202.5kNm

Note: More on Arches will be treated in CVEN 302

34