Lateral stability of glulam arches

The lateral buckling of two hinged glulam parabolic arches of rectangular cross-section with laterally restrained top edges is investigated. The problem is formulated using the stiffness method. The structure is idealised as a series of straight segments. A stiffness matrix including the effects of lateral bending and torsion is derived and it is shown how the structure stiffness matrix is generated. The buckling load is defined as the smallest load at which the structure stiffness matrix becomes singular. Three methods of solution are given; iteration, determinant plot and Southwell plot. Experimental tests were carried out to check the validity of the theory. The results of the tests are presented and are shown to be satisfactory. A set of numerical results are given for a range of arches and load distributions and a set of design parameters are proposed.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofGraduat