Structural Stability Analysis of Circular Arches using Finite Difference Method

In this paper we are concerned with the structural stability of circular arch structure. The critical load is defined as the smallest load at which the equilibrium of the structure fails to be stable as the load is slowly increased from zero. For arch structure the stability determination may be based on a criterion known as the critical load. The finite difference method for the analysis of circular arch is presented. Example problems were solved utilizing the circular curved beam formulation. These solutions were compared to those obtained by finite element results. Solutions include deflections, reactions, critical load and stress resultants in static, planar arches with partial distributed loads. Critical load range for stability will be estimated from the solutions.