Arches in Context
    Review points from lecture 24
    Arch 324/524, Introduction to Structural Design, University of Virginia
     Copyright © 1996-2000 Kirk Martini. Last Modified Fri Apr 21, 02:40 PM    		 next>
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    • Masonry is well suited to arch structures since it works well in compression.

    • The semicircle in not a funicular shape for a spanning structure, but it has been widely used because it is convenient for building.

    • Stone masonry arches can resist shear and moment because friction between stones provides shear resistance and compression from arch action allows the arch to resist bending without tension, similar to prestressing.

    • All arches exert lateral thrust, and there are several strategies for dealing with it:

      • Transfer the thrust directly to the earth (e.g. a rock cliff face).
      • Counter the thrust with the thrust of an adjacent arch of similar span and loading.
      • Transfer the arch to a massive wall or abutment which then transfers it to the ground.
      • Use a horizontal tension tie so that the thrust at one support balances the thrust at the other.

    • Tied arches are a common and useful structural form, since they do not exert large lateral thrusts on foundations or adjacent elements.

    • Tied arches can be build in steel, timber, masonry and reinforced concrete.

     

    Arch 324/524, Introduction to Structural Design, University of Virginia
     Copyright © 1996-2000 Kirk Martini. Last Modified Fri Apr 21, 02:40 PM    		   Table of
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