RESULTS

h = 305 mm
L = 1000 mm

Case 1: Vertical load at C

a1 = 380 mm
h1 = 295 mm

Vertical Horizontal Thrust Force, H

Load,
W (N) Experimental Theroetical Percentage of error
Horizontal Thrust, Horizontal Thrust, (%)
H test = H (N) H theory = H (N)
2 1.0 1.234 9.6

4 2.5 2.467 0.04

6 3.5 3.701 4.02

8 5.0 4.934 4.04

10 6.0 6.168 4.03

12 7.5 7.401 4.04

Case 2: Vertical load at E

a2 = 630 mm
h2 = 295 mm

Vertical Horizontal Thrust Force, H

Load,
W (N) Experimental Theroetical Percentage of error
Horizontal Thrust, Horizontal Thrust, (%)
H test = H (N) H theory = H (N)
2 1.0 1.218 3.95

4 2.5 2.436 1.21

6 3.5 3.654 0.26

8 5.0 4.872 −0.2

10 6.5 6.090 0.64

12 7.5 7.308 1.2

1
Case 3: Vertical load at C and E

Vertical Load, Horizontal Thrust Force, H

W (N)
Experimental Theroetical l Percentage of error
Horizontal Horizontal (%)
C E Thrust, H test = Thrust, H
H (N) theory = H (N)
2 2 2.5 2.452 1.13

4 4 5.0 4.903 2.62

6 6 7.5 7.355 2.15

8 8 10.0 9.806 5.45

10 10 12.5 12.258 6.29

12 12 15.0 14.709 6.86

2
DISCUSSIONS

1) Compare the test result of trust value that is placed at increasing distance from the
support left with the equation as given below:

5W 2a3 a4
HB = 8 h [a - L2 +L3 ]

Where:

H = The horizontal trust reaction at support B (N)

W = Load (N)

L = Span of the arch (m)

a = Load location distance is measured from the left hand support

h = The rise of arch (m)

Show some calculation examples of theoretical value, H theory, of arch horizontal thrust
for different loading location of W.

𝟓 𝑾 𝟐𝒂𝟑 𝒂𝟒
𝑯𝑩 = × (𝒂 − 𝟐 + 𝟑 )
𝟖 𝒉 𝑳 𝑳
Where:

H = the horizontal thrust reaction at support B N)

W = load (N)
L = span of the arch (m)
a = load location distances is measured from the left-hand support (m)
h = the rise of arch (m)

3
2) Calculation:
a) Calculation for theoretical value, H theory of vertical load at C

a1 = 200 mm, h1 = 105 mm

When W = 2
5 2 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB = 1.77 N
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

1.77 − 1.6
=| | × 100
1.77
= 9.6%

When W = 4
5 4 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB = 3.543 N
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

3.543 − 3.4
=| | × 100
3.543
= 0.04%

When W = 6
5 6 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB=5.314 N

𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
5.314−5.1
=| | × 100
5.314

= 4.02%
When W=8
5 8 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 8
𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − (0.5)²
+ (0.5)³]

4
 HB = 7.086 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

7.086 − 6.8
=| | × 100
7.086
= 4.04%

When W=10
5 10 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB = 8.857N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

8.857 − 8.5
=| | × 100
8.857
= 4.03%

When W=12
5 12 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB = 10.629 N
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

10.629 − 10.2
=| | × 100
10.629
= 4.04%

5
b) Calculation for theoretical value, H theory of vertical load at E

a1 = 200 mm , h1 = 105 mm

When W=2
5 2 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

= 1.77 N

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

1.77 − 1.7
=| | × 100
1.77
= 3.95%

When W = 4
5 4 2(0.2)3 (0.2)4
HB = 8 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − (0.5)2
+ (0.5)3 ]

HB = 3.543 N
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

3.543 − 3.5
=| | × 100
3.543
= 1.21%

When W=6
5 12 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥
8 0.105
[0.2 − (0.5)²
+ (0.5)³]

HB = 5.314 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

5.314 − 5.3
=| | × 100
5.314
= 0.26%

When W = 8

6
 5 8 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB = 7.086 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

7.086 − 7.1
=| | × 100
7.086
= −0.2%

When W=10
5 10 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 0.105 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 (0.5)²

HB = 8.857 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

8.857 − 8.8
=| | × 100
8.857
= 0.64%

When W=12
5 12 2(0.2)³ (0.2)⁴
HB = 𝑥 [0.2 − + (0.5)³]
8 0.105 (0.5)²

HB = 10.629 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

10.629 − 10.5
=| | × 100
10.629
= 1.2%

7
c) Calculation for theoretical value, H theory of vertical load at C and E

When W at C and E = 2

1.77 + 1.77 = 3.54 N

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

3.54 − 3.5
=| | × 100
3.54
= 1.13%

When W at C and E=4

3.543 + 3.543 = 7.086 N

𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

7.086 − 6.9
=| | × 100
7.086
= 2.62%

When W at C and E=6

5.314+5.314 = 10.628 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

10.628 − 10.4
=| | × 100
10.628
= 2.15%

When W at C and E=8

7.086 + 7.086 = 14.172 N

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

8
 14.172 − 13.4
=| | × 100
14.172
= 5.45%

When W at C and E=10

8.857 + 8.857 = 17.714 N

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

17.714 − 16.6
=| | × 100
17.714
= 6.29%

When W at C and E=12

10.629 + 10.629 = 21.258 N
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= | | × 100
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔

21.258 − 19.8
=| | × 100
21.258
= 6.86%

9
 3) Plot the horizontal trust, H versus vertical load, W for all the three cases. Briefly,
discuss the results.

Vertical loads at C

Graph of Horizontal Thrust Force against Vertical Load at C

12
Horizontal Thrust Force, H (N)

10

8 Experimental horizontal
thrust
6
Theoretical horizontal
4 thrust

0 Vertical Load, W (N)

0 5 10 15

Vertical loads at E

Graph of Horizontal Thrust Force against Vertical Load Case 2

12
Horizontal Thrust Force, H (N)

10

8
Experimental Horizontal
6 Thrust Force
Theoretical Horizontal
4 Thrust Force
2

0 Vertical Load, W (N)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

10
 Vertical loads at C and E

Graph of Horizontal Thrust Force against Vertical Load Case 3

25
Horizontal Thrust Force, H (N)

20

15 Experimental Horizontal
Thrust Force
10 Theoretical Horizontal
Thrust Force
5

0 Vertical Load, W (N)

0 5 10 15

From the graph, it can be obtained that the horizontal trust is directly proportional to
the vertical load applied.

4) (i) The factors that affect the results of the experiment.

(a) The digital load cell indicator is too sensitive to air movement. This is because
our experiment is conducted in air-conditioned lab, with considerable amount
of air movement, which made the digital load cell indicator to show
inconsistencies in readings, and in the end, affect the accuracies in our
experiment.
(b) Parallax error also occurred in the experiment, whereby our eyes were not
placed perpendicularly to the meter rule scale during the taking of the
measurements, and caused the distance between the left support to the load
hangers, as well as between the load hangers to be inaccurate.
(c) The load hanger is sensitive to movement. When we try to put the loads onto
the load hanger, it will tend to move, and deviates away from the initially
measured position.

11
 (d) We did not wait until the load hanger to stop swinging before taking the
reading. This had caused the readings of the digital load cell indicator to be
inconsistent, and affect the readings that we took.

(ii) The necessary preventive measures needed to improve the experimental results.

(a) The digital load cell indicator must be properly calibrated to prevent zero error.
(b) We should wait until the load hangers to stop swinging before readings on the
indicator are taken, to improve the results of the experiment.
(c) The observer’s eyes must be perpendicularly placed on the meter rule while
taking the measurements, to avoid parallax error.
(d) We should wait until the reading on the digital load cell indicator is constant
before readings are taken.
(e) We should ensure that the digital load cell indicator is being tare to zero
before readings are taken for each new case.
(f) We should not touch the arch while taking the reading, as this can affect the
reading on the digital load cell indicator

12
5) Draw the influence line diagram for H value, when one unit vertical load, W moves
from A to B. Give some comments on the results of the influence line.

Balance Load, H （N)

1.4

1.2

0.8

Balance Load, H （N)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100

The graph above shows when a unit load is applied to the beam and the load moves
from the start to the end of the 2 pinned arc structure. The graph increase at the
beginning until reach maximum, then decrease and it forms a maximum curve.

13