EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDIES OF THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF A CIRCULAR ARCH UNDER HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE

Abstract. The results of a numerical and experimental study of the bearing capacity of a circular concrete arch loaded with hydrostatic pressure are presented. To implement the specified scheme of loading arches, the authors made a stand that allows you to determine the bearing capacity of models of concrete, reinforced concrete, steel-fiber concrete and wooden arches. For experiments, a double-hinged arch was made of concrete С16/20. At the same time, samples-cubes with an edge size of 10 cm were prepared from the same batch, which were tested for compression in accordance with the current regulatory documents. During the tests, the load was applied in small steps for a detailed study of the arch deformation process. At each stage, the readings of the measuring devices, dial indicators and strain gauges, were recorded. For computer modeling and numerical analysis by the finite element method, the software LIRA-SAPR was used. It is noted that, despite the widespread use of arched structures made of reinforced concrete, there are still no generalizing conclusions and recommendations for determining their actual bearing capacity and strengthening methods in the domestic literature.