.

Solved Example on Analysis of a Three-hinged Arch

nd
is loade d as show n below , comp ute the suppo rt react i on s a
For the parabolic arch that
ified section s. Th e arch is hing ed at point s A,
plot the internal stresses diagram for the Ident

B, and C.

25 kN
C

~11 1--- - 15 kN

10,n

Ax - - + I
10rn
7.5m '\.. 7.Sm "I-. 7.5m ';.. 5.0m'i.. 7.5rn "I-.

45m By
Ay

SOLU TION
Geom etric al prop ertie s of the arch
arch is given by;
The ordinate (y) at any point along a parabolic

2
Y = [4Yc (Lx - x )] I L2
Where;
Ye = Height of the crown of the arch from th e base
L = Length of arch
x = Horizontal ordinate of interest
2 1
Hence, y = [4 x 10 (45x - x )] / 45

The general equation of the arch now becom es·I

2 (1)
Y = (8/9) x - (8/40 5)x ------

Differentiating equation ( 1) with respect to x

dy/dx = y' = (8/9) - (16/4 05)x - - - - - - (2)

From trigon omet ric relations, we can verify that;

Sine = y'/[1 + (y')2Jo .s ___ ___ (J)
Cose = 1/[1+ (y')2J o s ___ ___ ( 4 )
 From the above relations, we can carry out the calculations for obtaining the geometrical
properties of the arch structure.

Let us consider point A (support A of the structure);

We can verify that at point A, x = o, and y = o;

From equation ( 2) above, y' = 8/ 9;
Thus,
Sin 8 = (8/ 9)/ [1 + (8/ 9)2] 0 5 = 0.664
Cos e= 1/ [1 + (8/ 9)2] 0 5 = o.747

Similarly, let us consider point 3 of the structure;

At point 3, x = 27. 5m
From equation (1), we can obtain t he value of y as; y = [(8/ 9) x 27. 5] - [(8/ 405) x 27.52 ]
= 9.5061 m;
The tangent at that point ca n be obta ined from from equation ( 2); dy/ dx = y' = (8/ 9) -
[ ( 16/ 405) X 27.5] = - 0.1975
Thus,
Sin 8 = (-0.1975)/ [1 + (-0.1975) 20 -5 = -0.1937
Cose= 1/ [ l + (-0.1975) 2 ] 0 -5 = 0.9813
For t he ent ire section, it is more convenient to set out the geometrical properties in a
t abular form. See the picture below;

-----
Point I x (m) y(m) YI ✓ 1+ (y' )2 Sin 0 ('os 0
.--\. I 0 (J 0.889 l.33S 0.66-1- 0.7-1-7
I I 7.5 5.555 I 0.592 I .1 62 0.509 0.860
2 i l5 8.889 0.296 1.0-B 0.28-1- 0 959
-
10.000 - ·-- - -
22.5 --- - - 0.000 1.000 1.000
C
-,~I )- -- - - -- -0.000
--
~

·' I 9.506 I -0.197 1.019 -0.193 0.98 1

➔ i 35 6 913 -0.-1-Y-+ l.l l 5 -0.-1--1-3 0.897
B -1-5 0 ' -0.889 UJS -0.66-t 0.7-1-7
 Suppo rt Reacti ons

Let IMll = 0, ant1cloc kw1se negati ve

(Ay x 45) - ( 12 , 22 .5 -< 33. 75) - ( 25 " 10) - ( 15 ..: 6.9 13)
=0
Theref ore, Ay = 21 O 36 kN

Let lM = 0 , clockwise nega tive

(By x 45 ) - ( 25" 35 ) + ( 15 / 6 913) - ( 12, 22.5 >- 11.25) = 0
Theref oi e, By = 84 64 kN

Let I M, L = 0 ; ant1clockw1se negative

(Ay x 22 .5) - (Ax ,,_ 10) - (12 x 22 .5 , 11 25 ) = 0
22 5Ay - l OAx = 3037 .5 - - - (a)

Substit uting , Ay = 210 .36 kN into equation (a)

Hence, Ax= 169 .56 kN

Let I M, I( = 0; clockwise negative

(By , 22 . 5) - (Bx 10) - ( 25 · 12.5) - (1 5 x 3.087 ) = 0
Y

22 .SBy - lOBx = 358.8 - - - (b)

Sub st1tut1ng, By = 84 .64 kN into equation (b)

Hence, Bx= 154 56 kN

1:. ~Nm C

Srn

7 5m , / !:Im "- / S111 , ~ 0111 '- I !i111 , 10rn f3, l'il\ ">G i'N

-1 5111
Ay 210 ~l,
~N By 84 64 kN

Intern al Stress es
 p M
N

Yi
'}

X
Ay
Bending Moment
M, = 0 (hing.?d support)
M, = (:10.36 ' 7.5) - (169.56 , 5.555) - (1: , 7.5 , 3. 75) = :9s. : 9-1 kN.m
M2 = (210.36 x 15) - (169.56 , S.SS9) - (1: , 15 , 7.5) = 29S.1Sl kN.m
Mc = (::10.36 , ::2.5) - ( 169.56 , 10.0001 - (1: , :2.5 , 11.25) = o
Com ing from t he right h and side ;

M,: = (S4.64 x :2.5 ) - ( 154.56 , 10) - (25 x 12.5 ) - ( 15 , 3.0S7) = 0

M3 = (S4.6-I" 17. 51 - (154.56 x 9.506 ) - (25 x 7. 5 ) - ( 15, :.593 ) = -2 1-1.44: kN.m
M., = (S-1 .64 x 10) - (15-1.56 , 6 .913) = -:22.073 kN.m
Ms = 0 ( hinged support)

Shear
Q = rv cos8 - rH sin8

~
= (2 10.36 , 0 .747) - (169.56 , 0.664 ) = + l .551 kN
Q1 = [ 210.36 - (12 x 7.5 )] 0.860 - ( 169.56 x 0.509) = 17.203 kN
Q2 = [210.36 - (12 x 15)] 0.959 - ( 169.56 x 0.2S4) = -19.040 kN
QcR = [2!0.36 - (12 x 22.5 )] l.000 - ( 169.56 x 0 .000) = - 59.64 kN
Q3 = [210.36 - (12 x 22 .5)] 0 .9S1 - (1 69.56 x - 0.193 ) = - 25.7S: kN
Q,L = [210.36 - (12 x 22.5 )] 0.S97 - (169 .56 , - 0.-143) = - 21. 618 kN
Q.,R = {[210.36 - (1: x :2. 5 ) - :sJ , o.S97} - [( 169.56 - 15) x t- 0.-143)] = 7.452 , N
Qe = (- S-1.64, 0. 7-17) - [1 54.56, (- 0.66-1)] = 39.402 kN

Axial
N = -rv sin8 - rH cos8

N.~ = (-210.36 x 0.664) - (169.56 x 0.747) = - 266.340 kN

N1 =- [210. 36 - ( 12 x 7.5)] 0.509 - (169.56 x O.S60) =-
207.085 kN
N2 = - [210.36 - ( 12 x 15)] 0.284 - ( 169.56, 0.959) = -171. 230 kN
Ne = - [210.36 - (12 x 22. 5 )] 0 .000 - (169.56 x 1.000) = -169.560 kN
N, == - ( [2 10 .36 - (1 2 '< 22. 5)] x - 0 .193 ) - (169.56 x 0 .981)::: -177.849 kN
1
N4 = - {(210 . 36 - ( 12 x 22 .5) ) x - 0.443 ) - (169.56 x 0.897)::: - 178.516 kN
N4" = · {[210.36 - (12 x 22 .5) - 2 5J x - 0 .443 } - [(169.56 - 15) x (0 .897)] == - 176. 136
kN

N1, = - (-84 .64 x - 0 .664) - (15 4 .56 x 0 .74 7) = - 171.657 kN

Internal Stresses Diagram (Not to scale)

I \ j,, kl\ •t
I

- . I
./
I,.· I · h,

: '·-~/ /-
,
~ -
\

18
(a) Bending Moment Diagram
C
,_1
I I
I I
I
7.452 KN
17 203 KN ·-:. !.
\' 59.640 KN
19.040 KN

21.618KN

(b) Shear Force Diagram

169.560 KN
177.849 KN
171230KN ~;j

(c) Axial Force Diagram