Some explicit solutions for nonlinear elastic depressed masonry arches loaded to collapse

In this paper the equilibrium problem for a masonry arch subject to vertical load is addressed. The arch is modelled as a curved, one-dimensional nonlinear elastic beam. The equilibrium problem is formulated in terms of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. In the case of a depressed arch subject to a uniformly distributed load, we show that it is possible to arrive at an explicit, albeit approximate, solution in terms of the displacements and rotations, by making a small number of simple hypotheses. The solution method is here concisely described for both statically determinate and indeterminate cases. Further details on this solution method along with the complete set of the analytical expressions here presented will be provided in forthcoming papers.