Arches

4th sem
 Arches
• An arch is a structure constructed of wedge-
shaped units (bricks or stone), jointed
together with mortar and spanning an
opening to support the weight of the wall
above it along with other super-imposed
loads. Due to wedge-like form, the units
support each other, the load tends to make
them compact and enables them to transmit
the pressure downwards to their supports.
 Stability of Arch
• An arch transmits the super-imposed load to the
side walls (or abutments) through friction
between the surfaces of voussoirs and the
cohesion of mortar. Every element of arch
remains in compression. It has also to bear
transverse shear. An arch may therefore fail in
the following ways:
• (i) Crushing of the masonry
(ii) Sliding of voussoir
• (iii) Rotation of some joint about an edge
and (iv) Uneven settlement of abutment/pier.
 Arch
• If the compressive stress or thrust exceeds the
safe crushing strength of the materials (i.e.,
masonry units and mortar), the arch will fail in
crushing. Hence, the material used for
construction should be of adequate strength, and
the size of voussoirs should be properly designed
to bear the thrust transmitted through them. The
height of voussoirs should not be less than
1/12th the span. For span upto 1.5 m, 20 cm
thick arch ring is provided, while for span
between 1.5 to 4 m, 30 cm thickness is sufficient.
 Arch
• For span between 4 to 6.5 m, 40 cm thickness should
be provided while for span more than 6.5 m, the
thickness at springing may be increased by about 20%
of the thickness at the crown. Sometimes, voussoirs of
variable heights are provided-less height near crown
and more height at skew back. To safeguard against
sliding of voussoirs past each other due to transverse
shear, the voussoirs of greater height should be
provided. Also, the angle between the line of
resistance of the arch and the normal
to any point should· be less than angle of internal
friction.
 Arch
• Rotation can be prevented if the line of resistance is kept
within intrados and extrados. Also, the line of thrust
should be made to cross the joint away from the edge to
prevent the crushing of that edge. It should be within
middle third of the arch height. The uneven settlement
of abutment may cause secondary stresses in the arch.
Hence the abutment, which has ultimately to bear all the
loads transferred to it through the arch, should be strong
enough. Also, the arch should be symmetrical, so that
unequal settlements of the two abutments is minimised.
Also, the abutment should be strong enough to take the
thrust.
 Arch
• An arch can be classified according to (i)
shape, (ii) number of centres, (iii)
workmanship, and (iv) materials of
construction.
 Classification according to shape
• According to this classification, arches may be
of the following types : (i) Flat
arch (ii) Segmental arch (iii) Semi-circular arch
(iv) Horse shoe arch (v) Pointed arch
or gothic arch (vi) Venetian arch (vii)
Florentine arch (viii) Relieving arch (x) Stilled
arch, and (xi) Semi-elliptical arch.
 Flat Arch
• A flat arch has usually the angle formed by
skewbacks as 60° with horizontal, thus
forming an equilateral triangle with intrados
as the base. The intrados is apparently flat,
but it is given a slight rise of camber of about
10 to 15 mm per metre width of opening to
allow for small settlements. However, the
extrados is kept horizontal and flat. Flat
arches are used only for light loads, and for
spans upto 1.5 m.
 Segmental Arch
• This is the common type of arch used for
buildings. The centre of arch lies below the
springing line. The thrust transferred to the
abutment is in an inclined direction
 Semi-circular Arch
• This is the modification of segmental arch in
which the centre lies on the springing line. The

shape of the arch curve is that of a semi-circle.

The thrust transferred to the abutments is
perfectly in vertical direction since the
skewback is horizontal.
 Horse Shoe Arch
• The arch has the shape of a horse shoe,
incorporating more than a semi-circle. Such
type of arch is provided mainly from
architectural considerations.
 Pointed Arch
• This is also known as Gothic arch. It consists
two arcs of circles meeting at the apex. The
triangle formed may be equilateral or isos-
celes; in the latter case it is known as Lancet
arch.
 Venetian Arch
• This is another form of pointed arch which has
deeper depth at crown than at springings. It
has four centres, all located on the springing
line.
 Florentine Arch
• This is similar to Venetian arch except that the
intrados is a semicircle. The arch has, thus
three centres, all located on the springing-
line.
 Relieving Arch
• This arch is constructed either on a flat arch or
on a wooden lintel to provide greater
strength. The ends of the relieving arch should
be carried sufficiently into the abutments. The
relieving arch makes it possible to replace the
decayed lintel later, without disturbing the
stability of the structure.
 Stilted Arch
• It consists of a semi-circular arch with two
vertical portions at the springings. The centre
of the arch lies on the horizontal line
through the tops of the vertical portions.
 Semi-Elliptical Arch
• This type of arch has the shape of a semi-
ellipse and may have either three centres or
five centres.
 Classification based on number of
centres
• The arches may be classified as (i) one-centred
arch (ii) two-centred arch (iii)
three-centred arch (iv) four-centred arch and
(v) five-centred arch.
 One-centred arches
• One-centred arches. Segmental arches,
semicircular arches, flat arches, horse-shoe
arch and stilted arches come under this
category. Sometimes, a perfectly circular arch,

known as bull's eye arch is provided for

circular windows,
 Two-centred arches.
• Two-centred arches. Pointed arches come
under this category. Semi-elliptical arch
and florentine arch come under this category.
 Three-centred arches
• Three-centred arches. Elliptical arches come
under this category.
 Four-centred arch

• Four-centred arch
• It has four centres. Venetian arch is a typical
example of this type. Another examples are
the Tudor arch
 Five-centred arch.
• Five-centred arch. This type of arch, having
five centres, gives a good semi- elliptical
shape.
 Classification based on material
and workmanship
• Stone arches
• (i) Rubble arch
• (ii) Ashlar arch.

• Brick arches
• (i) Rough arch
• (iii) Axed or rough-cut arch
• (iii) Gauged arch
• (iv) Purpose made brick arch.
•
 Concrete arches
• Concrete arches
• (i) Concrete block-units arch
• (ii) Monolithic arch.
 Rubble masonry
• Rubble masonry arch is comparatively weak and is used
for comparatively inferior work.
These arches are made of rubble stones, which are
hammer dressed, roughly to shape and size of voussoirs
of the arch and fixed in cement mortar. Rubble arches
are used upto spans of 1 m. They are also used as
relieving arches, over wooden lintels. Upto a depth of
37.5 em, these arches are constructed in one ring. For
greater depths (thickness), rubble stones are laid in two
rings in alternate course of headers and stretchers.
 Ashlar Arches
• In this type, the stones are eut to proper shape of
voussoirs, and are fully dressed, set in lime or cement
joints with proper bed joints. Upto depth of 60 cm, the
voussoirs are made of full thickness of the arch. For
determining the wedged shapes of voussoirs, it is
preferable to set out the arch on a level platform,
marking on it the key- stone and voussoirs along with
radial mortar joints.
Ashlar stone can also be used to make flat
arches, in which the joints are either joggled or rebated.
 . BRICK ARCHES
• Brick arches may be classified as rough brick
arches, axed or rough cut brick
arches, gauged brick arches and purpose
made brick arches, depending upon the
nature of workmanship and quality of bricks
used.
 Rough Brick Arches
• This type of arch is constructed with ordinary
bricks, without cutting these to the
shape of voussoirs. In order to provide the
arch curve, the joints are made wedge-
shaped, with greater thickness at the extrados
and smaller thickness in intrados. Due to this,
the appearance of the arch is spoiled.
Therefore, this type of arch is not used for
exposed brick work.
 Axed Brick Arches
• In this arch, the bricks are cut wedge-shaped
with the help of brick axe. Due
to this the joints are of uniform thickness
along the radial line. However, the
appearance
of the arch is not very pleasant because the
bricks cut to wedge-shapes are not finely
dressed.
 Gauged Brick Arch
• This type of arch is constructed of bricks which
are prepared to exact size and
shape of voussoir by cutting it by means of
wire saw. The surfaces of the bricks are
fine dressed with the help of a file. For this,
only soft brick (called rubber bricks)
are used. The joints formed in gauged brick
arch are fine, thin (1 to 1.5 mm) and
truly radial. Lime putty is used for jointing.
 Purpose made Bricks Arch
• In this type of arch, the bricks are
manufactured, matching with the exact shape
and size of voussoirs, to get a very fine
workmanship. Lime putty is used for jointing.
 CONCRETE ARCHES
• Concrete arches are of two types : (i) Precast
concrete block arches, and (ii)
monolithic concrete arches.
 Precast Concrete Block Arches
• Such arches are made from precast concrete blocks,
each block being cast in Ihe mould to the exact shape
and size of voussoirs. Special moulds are prepared for
voussoirs, key block and skewbacks. Because of exact
shape and size of blocks, good appearance of the arch
is achieved. Also, joints, made of cement mortar, are
quite thin. However, casting of blocks is costly, and
such work is economical only when
Ihe number of arches is quite large. Cement concrete
of 1 : 2: 4 mix is usually used.
 Monolithic Concrete Arches.
• Monolithic concrete arches are constructed from
cast-in-situ concrete, either plain
or reinforced, depending upon the span and
magnitude of loading. These arches are
quite suitable for larger span. The arch thickness is
15 em for arches upto 3 m span.
Form work is used for casting the arch, and is
removed only when the concrete has
ufficiently hardened and gained strength. The
curing is done for 2 to 4 weeks.
 CONSTRUCTION OF ARCHES
• The construction of arches, of all the types of
materials (i.e. bricks, stones concrete)
carried out in three steps :
• (i) Installation of centering or form work
• (ii) Laying or Casting the actual arch
• and (iii) Striking or removal of centering or
form work.
 Installation of centering
• Centering is the temporary structure required to
support brick, stone or concrete
arch during its construction, till it has gained
sufficient strength. The centering is
installed in such a way that its upper surface
corresponds with the intrados of the arch. For minor
works, centering may be made of mud masonry
constructed to match with the inner soffit of the
arch, and then plastered. This masonry is dismantled
late when the arch has been constructed and cured.
 Installation of centering
• The usual centering is made of timber or steel. Wooden
centering is the simplestand cheapest, used for
moderate span. It is easy to construct and easy to
dismantle and it can be used several times. The next
slide shows a thick wooden plank, with horizontal
bottom and the upper surface shaped to the underside
of the soffit. Such a plank is known as centre or turning
piece. Its width is normally 10 cm, and is supported on
vertical timber posts called props, with wooden wedges
to tighten or loosen the
centering.
 Installation of centering
• If the soffit is wider than 10 cm, two ribs,
suitably spaced and suitably shaped
at the top may be used. These ribs may be
connected by 4 x 2 cm wooden section
called laggings.
 Installation of centering
• For wider soffits, and for larger spans, a built up
centering of cut wood ribs is used. Ihe upper surface
of the ribs is given the shape of the soffit of the arch.
• Laggings (or cross-battens) are nailed across the ribs
at close intervals to support the
loussoirs at its top. Ribs are kept 25 to 40 mm thick,
with width varying from 20
to 30 cm. The distance between ribs depends upon
the thickness of the wall supporting
the arch.
 Installation of centering
• The ribs are connected by braces and struts to
strengthen them. Horizontal
tie are provided at the lower ends of the ribs
to prevent them from spreading. The
rib are supported on bearers, and a pair of
folding wedges is provided at the top
of each prop to tighten or loosen the
centering
 Laying of Arch
• After the erection or installation of centering,
skewbacks are first prepared. Voussoirs are
then arranged in proper and required forms,
starting from skewbacks and proceeding
towards the crown.
 Laying of Arch
• Finally, key-stone (or key brick) is inserted so that
all the voussoirs
are locked in position. The voussoirs should be
properly bedded. After that, the centre
or turning piece is eased by slackening the wedges
so that it is lowered by a height
of 2 to 3 mm. Such a process is an essential
requirement in stone arches, since it
permits the voussoirs to settle upon their beds
properly.
 Removal of Centering
• When the arch has developed sufficient strength,
the centering can be removed.
No load should be placed on the arch unless the
centering has been removed. For
small spans, the removal of centering is done by
loosening the folding wedges. When
the span is more than 7 m, sand box method can
be used for loosening, so that shocks
are avoided. A sand box, is placed below the prop.
 Removal of Centering
• Sand is filled in box with a plugged hole at its
bottom. Prop rests on the steel plate placed
on the top of sand. In order to lower the
centering, plug is taken out due to which the
sand flows out and lowers the prop gradually.