Vulnerability Analysis of Critical Points in Three-Hinged Arch and Tie Connection

• Published in: Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India). Series A, Civil, architectural, environmental and agricultural Engineering Civil, architectural, environmental and agricultural Engineering, 2023, Vol.104 (2), p.455-465
• Main Authors: Ravaliya, Nirmal Rakeshbhai, Singh, Lovepreet, Akbar, M. Abdul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arches; Bearing strength; Civil Engineering; Critical point; Engineering; Finite element method; Guidelines; Linear analysis; Load carrying capacity; Original Contribution; Stress concentration
• ISSN: 2250-2149; 2250-2157
• DOI: 10.1007/s40030-023-00722-z

The codal guidelines for the design of civil engineering structures are mostly based on the overall design of the structure with limited formula-based guidelines to consider the effect of stress concentration. In this study, two vulnerable, isolated infrastructures, namely a three-hinged arch and a tie connection, are modeled and analyzed using ABAQUS. The cross sections of the members originally designed as per IS 456 (2000) for a nominal load of 100kN are re-run for increased loads without increasing the cross-sectional dimensions of the members (but changing other parameters that increase the load-carrying capacity). It is observed that the reinforcement at the crown hinge portion of the three-hinged arch and the notch connecting the members for the tie connection increase in vulnerability for increasing loads and even exceeds the limits of linear analysis, which a civil engineering structure should typically not exceed. The study results are used to arrive at guidelines to be considered for the design of structures.