Arch Bridge Preliminary Design

[Catjacob]

I am going to do the preliminary design of a RC arch bridge (pinned at both ends) and would like to know the vert and horiz reactions and bending moment at the apex (Is it equal to zero??) if the arch is subject to a vertical UDL. I don't need an exact value but want to know the "order of magnitude"

Thanks

 

[civilperson]

A true arch has all the stresses as compression in the line of the arch.

 

[wiktor]

Catjacob,
If you don't know how to determine the forces in the arch, the preliminary design is definitely not for you, until it's a school project. In such case, this book may be helpful:

http://www.pearsoned.co.uk/Bookshop/detail.asp?item=100000000051419

 

[bridgebuster]

For a classic on arch bridges:

http://www.slideruleera.net/contributions.html