CHAPTER-2

ARCHES, CABLES AND SUSPENSION BRIDGES

[A] ARCHES

2.1 Arches

2.2 Linear arch (Theoretical arch)

2.3 Types of arches
2.4 Eddy's theorem

2.5 Three hinged arch

2.6 Three hinged parabolic arch

2.7 Temperature effects on three hinged arches
Examples on three hinged parabolic arch
2.8 Three hinged circular (segmental) arch
Examples on three hinged circular arch
Exercise 2.1

B) CABLES AND SUSPENSION BRIDGES

2.9 Introduction

2.10 Equilibrium of a light suspended chord.

2.11 Uniformly loaded cable.
2.12 Anchor cables

Examples on cables
2.13 Effect of change in Temperature in Suspension Cable
Exercise 2.2

[A] ARCHES
2.1 ARCHES :
at its
An arch may be looked upon as a curved girder, either a solid rib or braced, supported
ends and carrying transverse loads which are frequently vertical.
The arch is one of the oldest structures. The romans developed the semi circular true masonry
arch, which they used extensively in both bridges and aquducts. The early indian railway and
highway bridges also use masonry arches. Arches are also used in buildings to carry loads over
doorways, windows etc., as well as to add an asthetic touch to the building.

79
80

2.2 LINEAR ARCH

(THEORETICAL ARCH) : Structural Analysi
Consider a system of jointed
link work inverted about AB, W2
LINEAR ARCH
(June 201
with loads as shown in fig. 2.1. WA
E
(THEORETICAL ARCH)
Under a given system ot T2 Ty
loading. every link will be in a
state of compression. The
magnitudes of pushes (thrusts) T
TË, T. T_ ... etc. can be ACTUAL ARCH
known K
by the rays Od, Oe, Of, etc. in H B
H
the force polygon. The
actual SPRINGING LINE
lines of action of thrusts T, TÍ,
Ta etc. is known as the linear RA VA Ra
(a) Va (b)
arch or theoretical arch or
FIG. 2.1 THEORETICAL ARCH
pressure line.
Inpractice, the position and magnitude of the
therefore neither advisible nor possible to constructloading over a structurc goes on changing.
an arch according to its theorctical shape
practice, the arch is made parabolic, circular or elliptic in shape for
easy construction and aesth
appearance. Such an arch is called actual arch.
Consider a cross-section PQ of the arch as
shown in fig. 2.2. Let T be the resultant thrust
acting through D along the linear arch. The
thrust T is neither normal to the cross section LINEAR ARCH

nor does it act through centre C of the cross

section. F}P
ACTUAL ARCH
The resultant thrust T can be resolved
normal and tangential to the section Pg. Let, N
be the normal component and F be the
tangential component. The tangential component
F will cause shear force at the section PQ. The FIG. 2.2

normal component N acts eccentrically, the eccentricity being equal to CD. Thus, the
action of
acting at D is twofold : (1) a normal thrust N at C, and (ii) a bending
moment, M = N.e at C.
Hence, any cross section of arch is thus subjected to three straining actions,
(i) Shear force F
(ii) Bending moment M
(iii) Normal thrust N
The shear force (F) is also sometimes known as
radial shear.
2.3 TYPES OF ARCHES

Depending upon the number of hinges, arches may be divided into four
classes.
1. Three hinged arch
2. Two hinged arch
3 Single hinged arch
4. Fixed arch (hingeless arch)
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Arches, Cables
and Suspension Bridges

(a) THREE HINGED ARCH (6) TWO HINGED ARCH

(c) SINGLE HINGED ARCH (d) FIXED ARCH

FIG. 2.3 TYPES OF ARCHES

three arches are

A three hinged arch is a statically determinate structure while the rest
the more frequently
statically indeterminate. In bridge construction, especiallyin railroad bridges.
are the two hinged and the fixed arches.
used arrches
2.4 EDDY'S THEOREM:

Consider a section at P distant x from left hinge. Let the other co ordinate
of P be y. For the
polygon
system of loads, the linear arch can be constructed, if His known. Since furnicular
given at the section
represents the bending moment diagram to some scale, the vertical intercept P; z
the bending moment due to external load system.
P will give
W2
W UNEAR ARCH
W3
C
W

E
ACTUAL ARCH

H
G

V V2 1cm=gkN
1cm=p metres
FIG. 2.4

a scale
Let the arch is drawn to a scale of 1 cm = p metres. Let the load diagram is plotted to
moment
of 1cm = q kN, and if the distance of pole o from the load line is r, the scale of bending
diagram will be,
1cm = pq·r kN.m
Now, theoretically, B.M. at P is given by
M, = V,x- W, (x- a) - Hy
=y- Hy
Structural Analysis-I (B.E.) / 2020/I!
82
Structural AnatAy
Where, , V,X - W, (x- a) = usual bending moment at a section due to
simply supported beam. load system Arches, Cab

From fig. 2.4, we have, Similarty

= (P,P,) x scale of B.M. diagram N

= P,P (p-qr) 2.6 THREE

Hy =(PP,) x scale of B.M. diagram The equ
= PP, (pqr)
Hence, When x
Mp = - H.y We
= PP, (p-qr) - PP, (p-q:r)
r
= PP, (pq:r)
Hence the ordinate between the linear arch and the actual arch gives the bending mon. k=
This is known as eddy's theorem and stated as below :
"The bending moment at any section of an arch is equal to the vertical intercept beh y =
the linear arch and the centre line of the actual arch."
Wh
2.5 THREE HINGED ARCH :

A three hinged arch has two hinges at abutments and one hinge at the crown. It is a stati
Advant
determninate structure.
(1) It
W2 W (2)
W, F
V=VA-W1 (3) Mo
W N
W (4) it
P H
(5) Fo
r=central rise 2.7 TEMPE

(a) Arch n
H B H H
The ri:
X
length of ar
L=SPAN move and s
to any per
VA
(a)
VA (b) from C' to
line of the
FIG. 2.5
therefore. be
No. of reaction components = 4 (2 at each support) The n
No. of static equilibrium equations available = 3 + l =4
temperature
One extra equation is available from the fact that the B.M. at the hinge at the crown is d,
Let, the arch is subjected to a number of loads W,. W, W3 etc. (b) Arch c
Since B.M. at C is zero, While
be noted th.
Mc = C - Hy = 0 the arch al
If ten
H= e . Horizontal thrust.
y
Resolving forces along the section at P.
F = V cos 0 - H sin 0 ... (1) Radial shear
Arches, Cables and Suspension Bridges 83

Similarly, resolving forces normal to the section,

N= Vsin + H cos 0 ... (2) Normal thrust

THREE HINGED PARABOLIC ARCH :

2.6
The equation of parabola, with origin at the left hand hinge Ais given by,
V= k"x (L - ) ... () where, k is constant.
L
When x=7: y =r= central rise
We get from cq. (1).

r=k: 4

4r
k
y=4r X(L- x) This is the equation of a parabolic arch.
Where, L= span of arch
r = central rise
x = distance from support A or B.
Advantages of three hinged arch over beam : (June 2016)

() It is statically determinate structure. Hence, analysis is simple and easy.

(2) It has higher compressive strength.
(3) More headroom is available below arch.
(4) It gives good aesthetic view.
(5) For same span and loading section required is small.

2.7 TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON THREE HINGED ARCHES:

(a) Arch not carrying any load :
The rise of temperature increases the
D
length of arch. Since the ends 'A' and 'B' do not
move and since the hinge 'C' is not connected
to any permanent object, the crown will rise
from 'C to D'. Thus, ADB will be the new centre
rrise
line of the arch. No temperature stresses will,
therefore, be induced.
The increase in rise (CD) due to rise in
temperature is given by :
(L? + 4r²) FIG. 2.5(A)
oc t
d, = 41
(b) Arch carrying loading:
While no stresses are produced in a three hinged arch due to temperature change alone, it may
be noted that, since the rise of the arch is altered due to temperature change, the horizontal thrust for
the arch already carrying loads will also alter.
If temperature increases, horizontal thrust decreases and vice versa.
dH dr
H