Analysis of ultimate strength of reinforced concrete arches - Effects of concrete tensile strength and imperfections

Ultimate strength of wide roof-type shallow arches of reinforced concrete is discussed for pin support at both ends under vertical loads. The method considers the effects of not only initial geometric imperfections but also the tensile strength of concrete. The effect of sectional shape is included; a flat plate section and a curved section like a spherical surface. The results reveal that the ultimate strength of curved section is larger than that of flat section, the ultimate strength under uniform load is not reduced so much only if there are no geometric imperfection, however, the ultimate strength is largely reduced due to geometric imperfections and anti-symmetric vertical loads, and this tendency is much amplified in case of no concrete tensile strength, and followed by a suggestion that strength against earthquake forces should be studied for shallow arches to be built in area with high seismicity.