Transfer relations: useful basisfor computer-aided engineeringof circular arch structures

Abstract

Purpose–Transfer relations represent analytical solutions of the linear theory of circular arches, relatingeach one of the kinematic and static variables at an arbitrary cross-section to the kinematic and staticvariables at the initial cross-section. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the significance of thetransfer relations for structural analysis by means of three examples taken from civil engineering.Design/methodology/approach–Thefirst example refers to an arch bridge, the second one to the vaultof a metro station and the third one to a real-scale test of a segmental tunnel ring.Findings–The main conclusions drawn from these three examples are as follows: increasing the number ofhangers/columns of the investigated arch bridge entails a reduction of the maximum bending moment of thearch, allowing it to approach, as much as possible, the desired thrust-line behavior; compared tothe conventionalin situcast method, a combined precast andin situcast method results in a decrease of themaximum bending moment of an element of the vault of the studied underground station by 46%; and thelocal behavior of the joints governs both the structural convergences and the bearing capacity of the testedsegmental tunnel ring