Stability of Cable-Arch Structure

Abstract

Cable-arch structure is a combined structure, which utilizes flexibility of cable and rigidity of arch. Cable-arch structure has been widely used in bridge engineering. In this work, we proposed a novel mechanical model of cable-arch structure. The out-of-plane buckling and in-plane buckling were studied using the energy method. The formula of critical loads of both the first order out-of-plane buckling and in-plane buckling were derived using Rayleigh-Ritz method. An example is ultimately investigated numerically. The results indicate that the cable can improve considerably the out-of-plane and in-plane stability of arch. Therefore, the research about the stability of cable-arch structure are both valuable not only in theoretical research but also in design of engineering structure.