Fixed Arch Apparatus

The Fixed Arch Apparatus is a structural engineering laboratory system developed for practical investigation of reactions, moments and structural behaviour in a fixed arch subjected to different loading conditions.

Unlike pinned or hinged arches, a fixed arch is restrained against both translation and rotation at its supports. These end restraints generate additional reaction components and fixing moments, making the structure statically indeterminate.

The apparatus provides students with a practical platform for understanding this more advanced form of arch behaviour.

One of the principal experiments involves determining the horizontal reaction and fixing moment due to a varying single point load.

A known load can be applied at a selected position on the arch, and the resulting reactions can be investigated experimentally. The measured results can then be compared with theoretically calculated values.

The apparatus also enables investigation of a moving single point load. By changing the position of the load along the arch, students can observe how horizontal reaction and fixing moment vary.

These moving-load experiments provide an effective basis for developing and analyzing influence lines.

The system can also be used with a uniformly distributed load (UDL). Students can determine horizontal reactions and fixing moments caused by distributed loading on the statically indeterminate arch.

Another important experiment is the investigation of the principle of superposition under appropriate linear-elastic conditions.

The apparatus supports practical study of the line of thrust in an arch. This helps students understand how the resultant compressive force travels through the arch under different loading conditions.

Students can also investigate the secant assumption as part of the analytical treatment of arch behaviour.

The system enables the graphical construction of bending moment diagrams for point loads, allowing students to visualize the variation of bending moment along the arch.

The maximum bending moment produced by an applied load can also be investigated, providing further insight into critical structural loading conditions.

Experimental observations can be compared with theoretical structural-analysis calculations, strengthening students' understanding of statically indeterminate structures.

The apparatus provides practical knowledge of fixed-end restraint, horizontal thrust, fixing moments, influence lines, thrust lines, bending moments and structural indeterminacy.

Micro Technologies supplies Fixed Arch Apparatus and other Arch & Bridge Testing Equipment for engineering colleges, universities, polytechnic institutes and technical training centres.

Features

• Fixed arch experimental configuration
• Statically indeterminate structural system
• Variable single point load experiments
• Moving point load experiments
• Uniformly distributed load experiments
• Horizontal reaction determination
• Fixing moment investigation
• Influence line studies
• Principle of superposition experiments
• Line of thrust investigation
• Secant assumption study
• Bending moment analysis
• Graphical bending moment diagram construction
• Maximum bending moment investigation
• Experimental and theoretical comparison
• Robust educational construction

Benefits

• Provides practical understanding of fixed arch behaviour
• Demonstrates statically indeterminate structural response
• Enables horizontal reaction determination
• Enables fixing moment investigation
• Demonstrates the effect of varying point loads
• Shows structural response to moving loads
• Supports uniformly distributed load experiments
• Helps students understand influence lines
• Provides practical investigation of thrust lines
• Supports bending moment analysis
• Enables maximum bending moment studies
• Connects advanced structural theory with laboratory experiments

Product Specifications

Experiments Performed

• Study of fixed arch behaviour
• Investigation of a statically indeterminate arch
• Determination of horizontal reaction due to a varying point load
• Determination of fixing moment due to a varying point load
• Determination of horizontal reaction due to a moving point load
• Determination of fixing moment due to a moving point load
• Investigation of load position versus structural response
• Determination of horizontal reactions due to uniformly distributed loading
• Determination of fixing moments due to uniformly distributed loading
• Construction of influence lines
• Verification of the principle of superposition
• Investigation of lines of thrust
• Study of the secant assumption
• Graphical construction of bending moment diagrams
• Determination of maximum bending moment due to applied loading
• Comparison of theoretical and experimental results

Applications

• Arch & Bridge Testing Laboratories
• Structural Engineering Laboratories
• Structural Analysis Laboratories
• Structural Mechanics Laboratories
• Civil Engineering Laboratories
• Mechanics of Structures Laboratories
• Strength of Materials Laboratories
• Engineering Mechanics Laboratories
• Applied Mechanics Laboratories
• Engineering Colleges
• Universities
• Polytechnic Institutes
• Technical Training Centres
• Educational & Research Laboratories

FAQs

What is the Fixed Arch Apparatus used for?

The apparatus is used to investigate horizontal reactions, fixing moments, influence lines, thrust lines and bending moments in a fixed arch under different loading conditions.

What is a fixed arch?

A fixed arch is restrained at both ends against translation and rotation, resulting in horizontal and vertical reactions as well as fixing moments at the supports.

Is a fixed arch statically indeterminate?

Yes. A conventional planar fixed arch is a statically indeterminate structure because its support reactions cannot be determined using equilibrium equations alone.

Can horizontal reactions be determined?

Yes. Horizontal reactions can be investigated under point, moving and uniformly distributed loading conditions.

Can fixing moments be studied?

Yes. The apparatus enables students to investigate the fixing moments developed at the restrained supports.

Can moving loads be investigated?

Yes. A point load can be moved along the arch to investigate changes in reactions and fixing moments with load position.

Can uniformly distributed loading be studied?

Yes. The system supports UDL experiments for studying reactions and moments in the fixed arch.

Can influence lines be developed?

Yes. Moving-load experiments can be used to develop influence lines for selected structural responses.

Can the line of thrust be studied?

Yes. Students can investigate the line of thrust and its relationship with the arch geometry and applied loading.

Can bending moment diagrams be constructed?

Yes. Bending moment diagrams for point-loading conditions can be developed graphically and compared with analytical results.

Can maximum bending moment be investigated?

Yes. The apparatus can be used to investigate the magnitude and location of maximum bending moment caused by an applied load.

What is the difference between fixed and pinned arches?

A fixed arch restrains rotation at its supports and therefore develops fixing moments, while a pinned arch allows rotation at its hinged supports.

Why Choose Our Products

• Fixed arch structural experiments
• Horizontal reaction determination
• Fixing moment investigation
• Point, moving and UDL loading studies
• Influence line experiments
• Line of thrust analysis
• Bending moment diagram construction
• Maximum bending moment studies
• Statically indeterminate structure demonstration
• Experimental and theoretical comparison
• Customized configurations available
• Institutional and bulk supply support

Call to Action

Equip your Arch & Bridge Testing Laboratory with the Fixed Arch Apparatus from Micro Technologies. The system provides hands-on investigation of horizontal reactions, fixing moments, influence lines, thrust lines and bending moments in statically indeterminate arches. Contact us for technical specifications, customized configurations, institutional quotations, bulk laboratory requirements or tender supply.