ARCHES

ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURES
REPORTED BY:
BARANGAS
BENIN
BOCO
BRINGAS
BUENO
CANDELARIA
WHAT IS AN ARCH?

An arch is a structure constructed using a material of wedge-shaped units. It

spans an opening to support the weight of the wall and other super-
imposed loads. Since it is a pure compression form, the arch is useful
because many building materials, including stone and unreinforced concrete,
can resist compression, but are weak when tensile stress is applied to them.
 PARTS OF AN ARCH:

• Extrados – outer curve of an arch.

• Intrados – inner curve of an arch.
• Spring Line – imaginary line joining the
springing point of either ends.
• Crown – highest part of extrados.
• Abutment – end point of an arch.
• Haunch – lower half of the arch.
TYPES OF ARCHES:
• Arches can be classified by its shape and construction
material used.
• By shape, it falls into three basic categories: circular,
pointed, and parabolic.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY SHAPE

• Circular Arches - Also known as a semi-

circular arch, this is formed in a continuous
curve and was developed by the Romans.
They were often used side by side in a
series to create an arcade. An adaptation is
the rampant round arch which has unequal
lengths of support on either side.
TYPES OF ARCHES: BY SHAPE

• Pointed Arches - often used by builders of

Gothic-style architecture. The advantage to
using a pointed arch, rather than a circular
one, is that the arch action produces less
thrust at the base. This innovation allowed
for taller and more closely spaced
openings, typical of Gothic architecture.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY SHAPE

• Parabolic Arches - follows the principle that

when there is a uniformly applied load from
above, the internal compression that results will
follow a parabolic curve.
Parabolic arches produce the most thrust at the
base, but can span the greatest distance, and so
are commonly used in bridge design.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

• Stone Arches - Based on workmanship, these are sub divided into two types.

 Rubble - Rubble arches are very weak and used

only for inferior work. These are used up to
spans of 1m. These are made of rubble stones
which are hammer dressed, roughly to shape
and size and fixed in cement mortar. Sometimes
these are also used as relieving arches up to a
depth of 37.5cm, but these are constructed in
one ring. If the depth is more, we can go for two
rings in alternate course of headers and
stretchers.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

 Ashlar - In this type, the stones are cut to

proper shape of voussoirs (a wedge-shaped
or tapered stone used to construct an arch)
and fully dressed, joined with cement
mortar. Ashlar stones are also used to make
flat arches.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

• Brick Arches – Brick arches have two divisions, namely:

 Rough brick - These are constructed with

ordinary bricks without cutting to the
shape voussoirs. The arch curve is provided
by forming wedge shaped joints with
greater thickness at extrados and smaller
thickness at intrados. So, it looks
unattractive. That’s why it is not
recommended for exposed brick works.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

 Axed brick - The bricks are cut into

wedge shape with the help of brick axe.
So, these are roughly dressed in shape
and size. Hence, Arch formed by these
axed bricks is not very pleasant.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

 Gauged brick - In this type arch, bricks

are cut to exact shape and size of
required voussoir with the help of wire
saw. The bricks are finely dressed and
these bricks are joined by lime putty. But,
for gauged brick arches only soft bricks
are used.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

 Purpose made brick - The bricks are

manufactured, matching with the exact
shape and size of voussoirs, to get a very
fine workmanship.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

• Concrete Arches – Also divided into two types:

 Precast concrete - The blocks are cast in

molds to the exact shape and size of
voussoirs. For key stone and skewbacks
special molds are prepared. These will
give good appearance because of exact
shape and size. Cement concrete of 1:2:4
is used.
 TYPES OF ARCHES: BY MATERIAL

 Monolithic concrete - Monolithic

concrete block arches are suitable for
larger span. These are constructed form
cast-in-situ concrete. These may be either
plain or reinforced, depending upon the
span and magnitude of loading. Form
work is used for casting the arch. The
curing is done for 2 to 4 weeks.
MATERIALS UTILIZED IN ARCHES

• The building materials required for the masonry of arches, vaults and cupolas
can be divided into two broad groups:

 Solid components (adobe, stone, etc.) - it ensure compressive strength

 Binder components (mortar). - ensure that compressive forces are
transmitted and the cohesion of the whole.

• To avoid the risk of shrinkage during drying out after building work, preferably a
minimum amount of binder component should be used. The various solid and
binder components are rarely incompatible but it is preferable to use
components of similar strengths.
SOLID COMPONENTS

• Stone
Often of very irregular dimensions, which forces one to use very expensive
preparation and implementation techniques. Soft, light stone offers interesting
possibilities, as does layered stones, which can be standardized by simply chiseling
them to the required shape

• Adobe block
Simply prepared by molding plastic soil and leaving it'to dry, the adobe block is
always inexpensive. Its shape and size can be easily adapted to the various methods
of construction, so that this material is the most widely used. However, its rather
low mechanical performances require the construction of fairly massive structures.
SOLID COMPONENTS

• Stabilized compressed earth block

Being insensitive to water and having good mechanical strength, this material
provides an alternative to the more costly fired brick. Most of the presses used to
manufacture compressed earth blocks can be adapted to produce special blocks.

• Plain molded cement blocks

Made from sand-cement mortar, these blocks have been used for very diverse
buildings as many shapes and sizes of both simple elements, and also of special
parts, can be prepared.
SOLID COMPONENTS

• Fired solid brick

This material is more expensive but generally performs well, which allows for
either lighter buildings or larger dimensions. Special shapes and sizes can be
obtained, depending on the means of production.
• Fired hollow brick
This enables special application techniques to be used, and very light buildings to
be realized. Materials produced using craft pottery methods can be used in a
similar way.
BINDER COMPONENTS

• Earth mortar
This is used to bond adobe, fired brick or stone. Its good sticking properties
enables one to build vaults and cupolas without shuttering. Plastic earth mortar
can be used to make hand-shaped cupolas. To avoid shrinkage, straw or sand is
added to soils with an excessive clay content.

• Stabilized earth mortar

Cement, lime, plaster or bitumen improve the characteristics of earth mortar. Such
mortars are very suitable for binding compressed earth blocks or fired bricks.
BINDER COMPONENTS

• Lime-sand mortar
This displays average characteristics; its main advantage is that it stays malleable for quite a
long time and sets very slowly. It can be improved by adding crushed brick or pozzolanas.
Lime-based mortars are very frequently used in conjunction with fired brick and stone.
• Cement-sand mortar
Given the high cost of cement, the amount used must be carefully calculated according to
the mechanical strength required. This mortar is suitable for bonding good quality fired
earth and full sand-cement blocks. Having little adherence, it is not well suited to
shutterless building methods, apart from corbelling. Medium-span vaults have been made
directly using a sand-cement mortar. Small size elements can be prefabricated.
BINDER COMPONENTS

• Gypsum mortar
This sets very quickly, which enables adhesive application techniques to be used.
Small span vaults can be made or even prefabricated directly using this mortar. The
stability of water-soluble gypsum can be improved by combining it with lime.
• Surface protection
To avoid infiltrations and therefore risks of detoriation, vaults and cupolas must be
protected from rainwater, which must be channelled away from the building, using
water-spouts or downpipes.
BINDER COMPONENTS

• Renders
An earth render is the least expensive, but requires periodical maintenance whose
frequency which depends on the nature and the quantity of rainfall. . A sand-cement mortar
is too rigid and will always crack, which allows water infiltration to take place. It should not
be used without a complementary membrane. Lime-sand and gypsum-lime-sand renders
are better suited because of their greater pliability, but a certain amount of maintenance
might still needed.
APPLICABILITY OF ARCHES ON BRIDGES:
BRIDGES

• Arch Bridges are one of the oldest types of bridges and have been around for over
3000 years ago. It is one of the most popular types of bridge. It remained in the
height of popularity until industrial revolution that leads to the creation of advanced
materials that enabled the Architects to create a modern bridge designs.
• Function
Bridges need to support be able to support a load, of the objects (peoples,cars,trucks,
etc.) on it. Therefore, the structure underneath the bridge needs to be able to get the
job done. In ancient greek, it is used as a support to accomodate larger spans in
columns.
 HOW DOES AN ARCH BRIDGE WORK?

• Instead of pushing straight

down, the load of an arched
bridge is carried outward
along the curve of an arch
to the supports at each
end. The weight is
transferred to the supports
at either ends.
HOW DOES AN ARCH BRIDGE WORK?

• The load at the top of the

key stone makes each stone
on the arch of the bridge
press on the one next to it.
This happens until the push
is applied to the end of he
supports or the abutments.
 HOW DOES AN ARCH BRIDGE WORK?

The ground around the abutments is

squeezed and pushes back to the
abutments.

For every action there is an equal and

opposite reactions. The ground which
pushes back on the abutments creates a
resistance which is passed from stone to
stone and to the key stone.
ADVANTAGES OF AN ARCH BRIDGE

• Gets Stronger over Time

the compression causes the materials to become more compact and close to each other, firming
the foundation and enabling bridges to withstand heavier loads.

• Provides High Resistance

The curves of the arches allows the bridges to displace or spread the weight evenly. Its foundation
are fixed firmly on the ground yet its arched element helps the even displacement of force on top of
the arch bridges, preventing the weight from pressing too hard on one area and weaking that single
area over time.

• Made with Various Materials

Arch bridges does not demand a particular material.

DISADVANTAGES OF AN ARCH BRIDGE

• Have Limited Span

Foundations are fixed and the arches radius are to be certain. The longer the bridge, the more the arches to
be built.

• Time Consuming

It takes time to build a arch bridge. Arch bridge needs to be made in precision to ensure its strength and
longevity.

• Expensive and Maintenance

Since it takes time to build a arch bridges, a lots of labors and time are required to finish the bridge which
can translate in a thousands of money. They also need more frequent repair and maintenance as they are
prone to cracking and tearing when exposed to harsh elements
APPLICABILITY OF ARCHES ON BUILDINGS:
BUILDING ARCHES

An arch is a curved structural form that carries loads around an opening,

transferring them around the profile of the arch to abutments, jambs or piers
on either side.

Arches have been a prominent feature in architecture since the time of the
Ancient Greeks. The techniques involved in designing and constructing arches
have since developed into many other structural forms, such as vaults, arcades,
bridges, and so on
FUNCTION TO THE BUILDING

Arches are compressive structures, that is, there are no tensile stresses. They are self-
supporting, stabilised by the force of gravity acting on their weight to hold them in
compression. This makes them very stable and efficient, capable of larger spans, and
supporting greater loads than horizontal beams.
The downward load of an arch must be transferred to its foundations. The outward thrust
exerted by an arch at its base must be restrained, either by its own weight or the weight of
supporting walls, by buttressing or foundations, or by an opposing tie between the two
sides. The outward thrust increases as the height, or rise, of the arch decreases
FUNCTION TO THE BUILDING

Arches are compressive structures, that is, there are no tensile stresses. They are self-
supporting, stabilised by the force of gravity acting on their weight to hold them in
compression. This makes them very stable and efficient, capable of larger spans, and
supporting greater loads than horizontal beams.
The downward load of an arch must be transferred to its foundations. The outward thrust
exerted by an arch at its base must be restrained, either by its own weight or the weight of
supporting walls, by buttressing or foundations, or by an opposing tie between the two
sides. The outward thrust increases as the height, or rise, of the arch decreases
FUNCTION TO THE BUILDING
FUNCTION TO THE BUILDING
FUNCTION TO THE BUILDING
FUNCTION TO THE BUILDING

• Arch also serves as an ornaments

ANALYSIS OF THREE HINGED PARABOLIC ARC

Key points :
• Three hinged Arch is statically determinate structure so it can be solved by
using equilibrium equations
• It contains an internal hinge at crown at which moment is zero
ANALYSIS OF THREE HINGED PARABOLIC ARC

Procedure to find reaction at the support

• Sketch the arch with load and reaction at the support.

• Apply equilibrium equation namely Ʃ𝐹𝑥 = 0 , Ʃ𝐹y = 0 , ƩMz = 0
• Apply the condition that bending moment about the hinge at crown is zero
(moment of all the forces either to the left or to the right of the crown)
ANALYSIS OF THREE HINGED PARABOLIC ARC

Example :
• A three hinged parabolic arch of span (l) and rise (h) carries a load of
kN/m on whole span. Determine support reaction.
 ANALYSIS OF THREE HINGED PARABOLIC ARC

Solution : Diagram for the given question is shown below Ʃ 𝐹𝑥 = 0

HA – HB = 0
(Using Equilibrium Equation)
Ʃ 𝐹y = 0
VA +VB = w x l

ƩMA = 0
-VB x l + w x l x l / 2 = 0
VB = wl /2 and VA = wl/2

ƩMC = 0
VA x l/2 - w x l/2 x l/4 – H x h = 0
so by putting value of VA in this equation we
will get
H = w x l²/ 8h