Introduction:

An Arch is defined as a member shaped and supported in such manner intermediate

transverse loads is transmitted to support by primarily by axial compressive thr
ust in the arch.Due to their aesthetic appearance and ability to carry heavy loa
ds over large spans, are advantageously used in bridges, monumental buildings, a
ssembly or exhibition halls and similar other structures. In mountainous areas w
here the topography or landscape is roughly in V and U shapes and both bank soil
s is hard and exposed rock is a best site for the arch bridge. More than 70% top
ography of Nepal is hilly and mountainous region, considering the aesthetic, eco
nomic and structural advantage of arch bridge is more suitable in this region fo
r short span as well as long span bridge. Reinforced concrete allows much greate
r freedom in the choice of arch curve and very large spans are possible even wit
h heavy loads without the necessity of fitting the arch curve to the pressure cu
rve. In Nepal mostly arch bridge are constructed in Prithvi Highway, Narayanghat
-Muglin Road and Dharan-Dhankutta road. Different type of arch bridge like Solid
Spandrel arch, Open Spandrel arch bridges, Stone Arch Bridges are built frequen
tly in above mention road sections.
Open spandrel arch consists of an arch slab carrying a system of wall, piers or
column on its back to support the decking or arch ribs supporting the decking at
any level above the crown or between the crown and springing s, through a system
of columns or Suspenders or both. In this type of arch bridge the live load acts
on the arch as a series of loads transmitted by the decking supports are hinged
to the arch. It is suitable for medium to long span bridges and suitable for hi
lly and mountainous area.
Objectives:
Main objective of this thesis is listed below:
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Seismic analysis of Open Spandrel Fixed Arch Bridge based on the IRC.
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Comparision of result of Conventional analytical method with Finite Elem
ent Modeling (FEM) softwares like SAP.