20/10/2020

CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVE 1

APPARATUS 2

PROCEDURE 3

RESULT & ANALYSIS 4-10

DISCUSSION 11-12

CONCLUSION 13-14

REFERENCES 15

APPENDICES 16-17
INTRODUCTION
Arches are structures consisting of members resting on supports that are curvilinear.
They are used, such as aeroplane, hangars and long-span bridges, for large-span
structures. The growth of horizontal thrusts on the supports as well as the vertical
reactions, even in the absence of a horizontal load, is one of the key distinguishing
features of an arch. At any part of an arch, the internal forces include axial compression,
shearing force, and moment of bending. Owing to the nature of horizontal thrusts, the
bending moment and shearing force at such a segment of an arch are comparatively
lower than those of a beam of the same span. At any segment of the arch, the horizontal
thrusts dramatically decrease moments and shear forces, resulting in a reduced member
size and more economical nature compared to other structures. In addition, arches are
often more pleasant aesthetically than other structures. Arches may be categorized as
semicircular, segmental, or pointed on the basis of their geometry. They may be further
defined as two-hinged arches, three-hinged arches, or fixed arches depending on the
number of internal hinges. Two-hinged arch is the statically indeterminate structure to
degree one. The horizontal reaction is generally regarded as redundant and is measured
by the least working process. A three-hinged arch is a geometrically stable and statically
determinate structure. A three-hinged arch is a structure that is geometrically stable and
statically defined. It consists of two curved members connected at the crown by an inner
hinge and is protected at its base by two hinges. Often, to improve the structure 's stability,
a tie is given at the support level or at an elevated location in the arch. [1]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between applied load and the horizontal thrust at the
supports of a two-hinged and three-hinged arch.

1
APPARATUS

Two Hinged Arch :

Support frame, two hinged arch assembly, a simple support, a roller support, ruler, load
hanger, digital indicator, vernier caliper and a set of point load weight.

Three Hinged Arch :

Support frame, three hinged arch assembly, a simple support, a roller support, hinged,
ruler, load hanger, digital indicator, vernier caliper, a set of point load weights and uniform
distributed load (UDL) weights.

2
PROCEDURE

Two Hinged Arch :

1. The indicator is switched on. The indicator must be switch on 10 minutes before
taking the readings to ensure the stability of the reading.

2. The two supports are fixed tightly to the support frame. The span of the arch is
measured.

3. The ‘Tare’ button is pressed to set the dial indicator reading to zero.
4. A load is placed on the hanger at the arch.
5. The indicator reading is recorded.

6. The applied load is increased and step 4 and 5 will be repeated.

7. The experiment is repeated to get an average of two readings.

Three Hinged Arch :

1. The indicator is switched on. The indicator must be switch on 10 minutes before
taking the readings to ensure the stability of the reading.
2. The three supports are fixed tightly to the support frame. The span of the arch is
measured.

3. The ‘Tare’ button is pressed to set the dial indicator reading to zero.
4. A point load is placed on the hanger at the arch.
5. The indicator reading is recorded.
6. The applied load is increased and step 4 and 5 will be repeated.

7. A point load and uniform distributed load (UDL) are placed on the hanger at the
arch.
8. The indicator reading is recorded.

9. The applied load is increased and step 7 and 8 will be repeated.

3
RESULT ANALYSIS
TWO HINGED ARCH

W4 W2

i) Data Set 2 :
Span of arch, L = 1 m
Distance of the load W2 from the pinned support, x2 = 0.39 m
Distance of the load W4 from the pinned support, x4 = 0.63 m
Distance from the highest point to the support level, h = 0.32 m
Horizontal Thrust (N)
Test Load, W2 Load, W4 Experimental Theoretical
(N) (N)
1 5 5 5.4 5.7
2 10 10 10.4 11.4
3 15 15 15.4 17.1
4 20 20 20.4 22.7
5 25 25 22.3 27.8

GRAPH

4
ii) Data Set 3 :

Span of arch, L = 1.0 m

Distance of the load W1 from the pinned support, x1 = 0.26 m
Distance of the load W4 from the pinned support, x4 = 0.63 m
Distance from the highest point to the support level, h = 0.32 m

Horizontal Thrust (N)

Test Load, W1 Load, W4 Experimental Theoretical
(N) (N)
1 5 5 4.8 5.1
2 10 10 9.3 10.1
3 15 15 13.8 15.1
4 20 20 18.3 20.2
5 25 25 22.0 25.0

GRAPH

5
DATA CALCULATION

5𝑊𝐿(𝑘 4−2(𝑘 3)+𝑘)

H=
8ℎ

For Data Set 2; [4]

i) When W = 5 N ;
(5)(5)(1.0)(0.394 −2(0.393 )+0.39) (5)(5)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= 8(0.32)
+ 8(0.32)

= 5.7 N
ii) When W = 10 N ;
(5)(10)(1.0)(0.394 −2(0.393 )+0.39) (5)(10)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= +
8(0.32) 8(0.32)

= 11.4 N
iii) When W = 15 N ;
(5)(15)(1.0)(0.394 −2(0.393 )+0.39) (5)(15)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= 8(0.32)
+ 8(0.32)

= 17.1 N
iv) When W = 20 N ;
(5)(20)(1.0)(0.394 −2(0.393 )+0.39) (5)(20)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= 8(0.32)
+ 8(0.32)

= 22.7 N
v) When W = 25 N ;
(5)(5)(1.0)(0.394 −2(0.393 )+0.39) (5)(5)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= +
8(0.32) 8(0.32)

= 27.8 N

6
For Data Set 3; [5]
i) When W = 5 N ;
(5)(5)(1.0)(0.264−2(0.263 )+0.26) (5)(5)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= 8(0.32)
+ 8(0.32)

= 5.1 N
ii) When W = 10 N ;
(5)(10)(1.0)(0.264 −2(0.263)+0.26) (5)(10)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633)+0.63)
H= +
8(0.32) 8(0.32)

= 10.1 N
iii) When W = 15 N ;
(5)(15)(1.0)(0.3264 −2(0.263 )+0.26) (5)(15)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= 8(0.32)
+ 8(0.32)

= 15.1 N
iv) When W = 20 N ;
(5)(20)(1.0)(0.264 −2(0.26)+0.26) (5)(20)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= +
8(0.32) 8(0.32)

= 20.2 N
v) When W = 25 N ;
(5)(5)(1.0)(0.264−2(0.263 )+0.26) (5)(5)(1.0)(0.634 −2(0.633 )+0.63)
H= +
8(0.32) 8(0.32)

= 25.0 N

7
THREE HINGED ARCH

W2 W6

i) POINT LOAD - Data Set 2 :

Span of arch, L = 1 m
Distance of the load W2 from the pinned support, x2 = 0.25 m
Distance of the load W4 from the pinned support, x6 = 0.75 m
Distance from the highest point to the support level, h = 0.23 m
Horizontal Thrust (N)
Test Load, W2 Load, W4 Experimental Theoretical
(N) (N)
1 5 5 5.2 10.8
2 10 10 10.7 21.7
3 15 15 16.6 32.6
4 20 20 21.9 43.5
5 25 25 27.1 54.4

GRAPH

8
ii) COMBINATION LOAD - Data Set 2 :

Span of arch, L = 1.0 m

Distance of the load W1 from the pinned support, x1 = 0.125 m
Distance of the load W4 from the pinned support, x4 = 0.50 m
Distance from the highest point to the support level, h = 0.23 m

Horizontal Thrust (N)

Test UDL Load, W1 Load, W4 Experimental Theoretical
(N) (N) (N)
1 9.6 5 5 14.3 17.2
2 9.6 10 10 21.2 24.0
3 9.6 15 15 28.1 30.8
4 9.6 20 20 34.5 37.6
5 9.6 25 25 41.3 44.4

GRAPH

9
DATA CALCULATION

WkL
H= 2h

For Point Load - Data Set 2; [6][1][2]

For Combination Load - Data Set 2; [7][1][2]
i) When W = 5 N ;
i) When W = 5 N ;
(5)(0.25)(1.0) (5)(0.75)(1.0)
H= 2(0.23)
+ 2(0.23)
(9.6)(1.0/2)(1.0) (5)(0.125)(1.0) (5)(0.50)(1.0)
H= +
2(0.23) 2(0.23) 2(0.23)
= 10.9 N
= 17.2 N
ii) When W = 10 N ;
ii) When W = 10 N ;
(10)(0.25)(1.0) (10)(0.75)(1.0)
H= 2(0.23)
+ 2(0.23) (9.6)(1.0/2)(1.0) (10)(0.125)(1.0) (10)(0.50)(1.0)
H= +
2(0.23) 2(0.23) 2(0.23)
= 21.7 N
= 24.0 N
iii) When W = 15 N ;
iii) When W = 15 N ;
(15)(0.25)(1.0) (15)(0.75)(1.0)
H= + (9.6)(1.0/2)(1.0) (15)(0.125)(1.0) (15)(0.50)(1.0)
2(0.23) 2(0.23)
H= 2(0.23) 2(0.23)
+ 2(0.23)
= 32.6 N
= 30.8 N
iv) When W = 20 N ;
iv) When W = 20 N ;
(20)(0.25)(1.0) (20)(0.75)(1.0)
H= +
2(0.23) 2(0.23) (9.6)(1.0/2)(1.0) (20)(0.125)(1.0) (20)(0.50)(1.0)
H= 2(0.23) 2(0.23)
+ 2(0.23)
= 43.5 N
= 37.6 N
v) When W = 25 N ;
(25)(0.25)(1.0) (25)(0.75)(1.0)
v) When W = 25 N ;
H= +
2(0.23) 2(0.23) (9.6)(1.0/2)(1.0) (25)(0.125)(1.0) (25)(0.50)(1.0)
H= +
2(0.23) 2(0.23) 2(0.23)
= 54.4 N
= 44.4 N

10
DISCUSSION

Based on the experiment conducted, the purpose of this lab activity is to find the
experimental horizontal thrust with the increment of loads and compare it with the
theoretical values of horizontal thrust. After comparing the data, a graph is plotted to
compare again both experimental and theoretical data to find the margin of error. For this
lab experiment, we conducted two types of structure which is two-hinged arch and three-
hinged arch. So, each structure has two sets of data that we have to analyze in order to
complete the lab report.

Moreover, each set of data used the constant increment of load which is 5 N every
increment. The value of span of arch is constant for both two and three-hinged experiment
which is 1 m. While for the distance of support level to the highest point, h is different for
both two and three hinged arches. The h value for two hinged is 0.32 m and for three
hinged is 0.23 m.

For the first data of two-hinged arch, we used the data collection of Set 2. The
distance of load W2 and W4 from the pinned support is 0.39 m and 0.63 m respectively.
We can see the difference between experimental and theoretical is getting bigger and
larger as the load increases. Which on the Test 1 with the load 5 N, the difference is 0.3
N but on the Test 5 with 25 N, the difference between the two data is 5.5 N.

For the second data of two-hinged arch, we used the data collection of Set 3. The
distance of load W1 and W4 from the pinned support is 0.26 m and 0.63 m respectively.
We can see the difference between experimental and theoretical is also getting bigger
and larger as the load increases. Which on the Test 1 with the load 5 N, the difference is
the same with data Set 2, which is 0.3 N but on the Test 5 with 25 N, the difference a bit
smaller compared to the data Set 2 which is only 3.0 N.

Next, for point load data of three-hinged arch, we used the data collection of Set
2. The distance of load W2 and W4 from the pinned support is 0.25 m and 0.75 m
respectively. After comparing both experimental and theoretical values, we can conclude
that the difference between the both data are quite big and large compared to the two-

11
hinged data. The differences also increase as the load increases. Based on the Test 1
with the load 5 N, the difference is 5.6 N and it increases as the load increase until the
last test, which is Test 5 with 25 N, the difference between both experimental and
theoretical data is 27.3 N.

Last but not least, for combination load data of three-hinged arch, we also used
the data collection of Set 2. The distance value of load W1 and W4 from the pinned support
is 0.125 m and 0.50 m respectively. Based on the graph tabulated, after comparing both
experimental and theoretical values, we can conclude that the differences between the
both data are smaller compared to the point load data for three hinged. The differences
between experimental and theoretical data, for the first three tests is smaller which it goes
from 2.9 N to 2.8 N to 2.7 N but the differences on the Test 4 and Test 5 is the same
which is 3.1 N.

There are many causes that caused the differences that happened between both
experimental and theoretical values, such as instrument malfunction. For example, the
digital indicator cannot detect the remaining load that acted on the both arches due to the
placement of the digital indicator is not correct enough. Besides, the type of arch material
might also affect the distribution of load on its body.

12
CONCLUSION

Arch are the structures with the curved shape which can be circular or parabolic. There
are a few types of arch. In the experiment that we have conducted, the type of arch are
the two-hinged arch and three-hinged arch. There are some differences between these
two-hinged arch. For two-hinged arch, there are four unknown reactions, but there are
only three equations of equilibrium available. Meanwhile, the three-hinged arch have four
reaction components but one more equation is required in addition to three equations of
static equilibrium to evaluate the four reaction components.

Through the experiment conducted, we have successfully achieved the objective

of the experiment which is determine the relationship between applied load and the
horizontal thrust at the supports of a two-hinged and three-hinged arch. Based on this
experiment, we have two set of data for every hinged arch. After we have calculated all
the data, we found that when the applied load increases on the hinged arch, the horizontal
thrust at the supports also increases which the relationship between the applied load and
the horizontal thrust is directly proportional. Based on the graph plotted, it also shown the
directly proportional relationship between those variables. Besides that, we also have
successfully get the procedure of the experiment conducted.

Arch structures is most often used in bridges. This is because there are many
advantages of arch bridges such as it offers higher levels of resistance compared to other
designs, it can be construction from almost any material, it continues to provide support
without distortion over time and it adapts to local environmental conditions better. For two-
hinged arch is most often used to long span bridges. This type of arch has pinned
connections at its base. There are a few bridges that using two-hinged arch system. For
example, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia. We can see that the load is applied under
the arch between the support. Next, The Maria Pia Bridge, Porto, Portugal. The load
applied for this bridge is as uniformly distributed load and transfer at certain distance of
the arch as point load. Another famous two-hinged bridge is Amorebieta Footbridge,
Spain. For this bridge, the load is applied at certain distance from the support to transfer
load from the bridge at both side. Moreover, three-hinged arch is not hinged at its base

13
but also at its apex. It is most often used for spans of medial length. The bridge that use
this three-hinged arch id The Viaur Viaduct Bridge, France. This bridges was built to allow
the trains to cross the Tarn river. Next, The Rizhsky Rail Bridge in Moscow, Russia. The
main spain of this bridge is 120 metres. It was built in 1901 and operated by the Moscow
Railway. [3]

14
REFERENCES

[1] https://temple.manifoldapp.org/read/structural-analysis/section/03477fd7-cfdc-
40cc-8773-49025c2510d0

[2] https://www.civilengineeringx.com/structural-analysis/structural-steel/three-
hinged-arches/

[3] https://greengarageblog.org/15-arch-bridges-advantages-and- disadvantages-

tied-through-and-truss

15
APPENDICES
DATA SET TWO-HINGED ARCH
[4] Set 2

Point Load, W2 (N) Load, W4 (N) Horizontal Thrust (N)

Test 1 5 5 5.4
Test 2 10 10 10.4
Test 3 15 15 15.4
Test 4 20 20 20.5
Test 5 25 25 22.3

[5] Set 3

Point Load, W1 (N) Load, W4 (N) Horizontal Thrust (N)

Test 1 5 5 4.8
Test 2 10 10 9.3
Test 3 15 15 13.8
Test 4 20 20 18.3
Test 5 25 25 22.0

16
DATA SET THREE-HINGED ARCH
Data for Point Load

[6] Set 2

Point Load, W2 (N) Load, W6 (N) Horizontal Thrust (N)

Test 1 5 5 5.2
Test 2 10 10 10.7
Test 3 15 15 16.6
Test 4 20 20 21.9
Test 5 25 25 27.1

Data for Combination Load – Uniformly Distributed Load and Point Load

[7] Set 2

Point UDL, (N) Load, W1 (N) Load, W4 (N) Horizontal Thrust (N)
Test 1 9.6 5 5 14.3
Test 2 9.6 10 10 21.2
Test 3 9.6 15 15 28.1
Test 4 9.6 20 20 34.5
Test 5 9.6 25 25 41.3

17