Description

The constant radius arch used in this experiment has load hangers equidistant along its length for the weight hangers to be positioned at, allowing a range of set ups.

The arch uses two roller assemblies along with the arch supports allowing the arch ends to freely pivot as the loads are applied until equilibrium is reached.

The arch is clamped to the supports which simulate a pinned support at each end of the arch. The supports don’t allow any horizontal or vertical movement but allow the supports to rotate.

One of the supports constrains the frame horizontally by a load cell. This allows the horizontal thrust at that support to be measured.

Features & Benefits

• Preformed Arch with 5:1 span to height ratio
• Weight hangers with additional disk weights to apply point load and UDL at set locations
• Load cell to measure horizontal reaction force at one end of the arch
• Supports to constrain arch and prevent linear motion while allowing rotation
• Supplied with Armfield structures software as standard

Experimental Content

• Relationship between applied loads and horizontal reaction force (thrust)
• Comparison between theory and experimental results
• Horizontal reaction force influence lines
• Uniformly distributed load and point loads
• The Secant assumption