Journal of Engineering and Architecture

‘Structural Performance of Two-Hinged Islamic Arches’
Shehdeh Ghannam, Husam Najm

Abstract
This paper presents an investigation of Islamic arch forms and structural performance based on its geometrical formation. Arch form depends on several interrelated variables such arc angles, the ratio of arc radius to arc span, and the height of the arch. These variables are controlled in Islamic architecture by the geometry. This paper provides insights for the geometric design of Islamic arches and outlines its structural analysis under different load cases. A parametric study of the buckling behavior of arches for several load cases, horizontal thrust, and bending moment will be analyzed. This paper aims to provide an understanding of the structural concepts of the arch form in Islamic architecture based on the significance of geometry in construction of Islamic arches. Arches described by geometry and proportions, plays a crucial role in the composition and structure of the arch form. Typically design parameters are based on estimating force vectors to determine arch shape, assuming that they represent the architecture properly and are constant. To describe arch architecture in more detail and compare geometrical and non-geometrical states, geometric approach was validated. Arch forms are constructed from historical sections, based on geometric language, as well as the shape of the arch. The proposed approach may help to identify functional structural concepts within the arch, with homogeneous architectural geometric properties. The related results are discussed regarding the parameters essential for structural arch modeling and challenge aesthetic parameters of the arch-model.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jea.v3n1a5