DESIGN ASPECTS OF ARCH CONNECTIONS WITH SKEW NOTCHED SUPPORTS CENTERED ON HALF ARCH CENTRAL AXIS

Abstract

Investigation of stresses distribution in support and skew notched connections of glulam triangular archeswere carried out. On the basis of solved contact problem of “end face – support element” system it was shown that on the bearing planes of skew notched connections normal stresses occurred before hinge formation. These normal stresses arise not only from longitudinal compression force but also from bending moment, which tends to transform classical notched connection into hinge.

In order to obtain solution for “end face – support element” finite element model of half arch was built. Plane stress shell elements were used. Elements dimensions were 33x33 mm on the arch, and 15x35,542 mm at the skew notched zone. Additional line elements were attached in normal direction to the nodes of the end face elements of half arch. The main purpose of line elements was consideration of bearing level of end faces of half arches. They allow to estimate length of stressed zone of end face and distribution pattern of normal bearing stresses on the cross-section height. Problem was solved by iterative method.

New approach which includes iterative method for design of support and skew notched connections of glulam arches proposed.