Date:

Experiment No. 09
Horizontal reaction of a Two Hinged Arch

Aim: To determine the horizontal reaction of the two-hinged arch experimentally and
verifying the same theoretically.

Apparatus: Digital force display, aluminium arch, securing thumb screws, connecting wires.

Theory: An arch may be defined as a curved girder, having convexity upwards, and
supported at its ends. It may be subjected to vertical, horizontal or even inclined
loads. In the past, the arches had been the backbone of the important building
activity, the arches are becoming obsolete. Today the arches are being provided
only for the architectural beauty in ultra-modern buildings.
Arches are economical as compare to beams since the moment in case of arch
is reduced to some extent as compare to beam. Let us take an example of simply
supported beam and arch and determine the value of bending moment at some
section.

W
x
W
y r
H H
L
x RA RB
RA RB

In the above case the bending moment at a section which is at a distance ‘x’
from the left support is given as:
𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥 x
Where, RA = W/2
But for the parabolic arch the bending moment at a section which is at a distance
‘x’ from the left support and the rise at the section is say ‘y’, the equation is
given as
𝑀𝑥𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥 x − 𝐻 𝑥 𝑦
 From the above two equation we can say that the bending moment in case of
parabolic arch is reduced by an amount H x Y, due to which economy can be
achieved in case of arches as compared to beams.

Types of two hinged arches:

A two-hinged arch may be of the following two types, depending upon the
geometry of its axis:
1) Parabolic arch: A three hinged arch, whose axis is parabolic, is known as a
three-hinged parabolic arch.
2) Circular arch: A three hinged arch, whose axis is circular, is known as a
three hinged circular parabolic arch.
In case of two hinged parabolic arch, we have four unknown reactions but
equilibrium equation is three so the static indeterminacy of the two-hinged arch
is one. The horizontal reaction in two hinged parabolic arch is determined by
the principal of strain energy. The principle states that the partial derivative of
the strain energy with respect redundant force should be equal to zero.

How to set up Equipment:

Fig. 1 Two Hinged arch on a Structural Frame.

 Fig. 1 shows the Two-Pinned Arch experiment assembled in the Structures Test
Frame.
Before setting up an Equipment always remember:
1) Visually inspects all the parts for damage or wear.
2) Position the Test Frame safely. Make sure it is on solid, level surface, is steady,
and easily accessible.
3) Check all components are secured correctly and fastenings are sufficiently
tight.

Procedure:
1) Place an assembled Test Frame on a workbench. Make sure the ‘window’ of
the test frame is easily accessible.
2) There are four securing nuts in the top groove of the bottom member of the
frame. Slide them to approximately the position shown in figure.
3) Fit the left-hand support and arch rib to the frame using two thumb
screws (on the front only) into the frame securing nuts.
4) Fit the right-hand support in roughly the correct position and fasten as
per the left-hand support. Allow the bearings to run on the support track.
5) Adjust the position of the righthand support until the distance between the
arch pivots is 500 mm the right hand pin should now be resting gently against
the load cell.
6) Make sure the Digital Force Display is ‘on’. Connect the mini DIN
lead from ‘Force Input 1’ on the Digital Force Display to the socket marked
‘force output’ on the right hand side of the support.
7) Carefully zero the force meter using the dial on the right-hand support of
the experiment. Gently apply a small load a finger to the crown of the arch and
release. Zero the meter again if necessary. Repeat to ensure the meter returns
to zero.

Experiment and observations:

In this experiment, load is kept constant and its position is varied along the
length. Variation of the horizontal reaction is observed.
The horizontal reaction of the two-hinged arch is given as:
5𝑊 (𝐿3 + 𝑥 3 − 2𝐿𝑥 2 )
𝐻=
8𝑟𝐿3
 where, H = horizontal thrust.
W = load applied in N.
x = distance from the left support in mm.
L = span of the arch = 500 mm.
r = rise of the span = 100 mm.

Observations:

Distance from A Displayed Reaction Theoretical Reaction

(mm) (N) (N)
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450

Influence value = Reaction / Load

Horizontal reaction influence values:

Fraction of Experimental horizontal Calculated horizontal

the span reaction influence value reaction influence value
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

Conclusion: