Effect of aspect ratio and load location on the structural response of catenary arches under concentrated loading

The construction industry contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions. The embodied carbon in reinforced concrete floors accounts for a large part of embodied carbon in building structures. Optimising the form of horizontal spanning structures will not only reduce the volume of material needed for these structures but might also reduce the size of foundations. It is well-known that a catenary arch is the optimal form to ensure pure compression throughout. Although this might be an ideal shape for horizontal spanning systems under a uniformly distributed load, the effect of concentrated loads must also be considered. This study investigated the impact of the span-to-depth aspect ratio on the response of arches under concentrated loads, both central and eccentric concentrated loads. Through a numerically validated experimental campaign, the aspect ratio of an arch influences the resistance of loading from which it was formed.