We started off by building the columns, then beams as falsework for the voussoirs to be built on.
After the voussoirs had been properly placed, the keystone was inserted to complete the arch. We've decided to add side walls so that it can help stabilise the arch.
the final product looked like a vege-themed arch.
The building progress went smoothly as we've planned the structure of the arch carefully before building it.
After building the arch, we were assigned to test its strength and stability. Two tests were given to all arches: Load test and Seismic test.
Load test
All arches are to be given a certain amount of load, and to withstand it for a certain amount of time.
Our arch had successfully passed the test as it managed to withstand all loads without collapsing at all. The force from the load had been successfully channelled down from the tip of the arch.
Seismic test:
The base where the arches were situated are to be shaken (to imitate an earthquake), and our arches were to withstand that force.
After some time of shaking (very, very roughly), our arch broke into two pieces, separated at the keystone area.
After discussing and investigating a little, we realised that our arch isn't balance, as one of its side was slanted instead of being upright and straight. Since the force was acting horizontally to the arch, an imbalance build would cause it to easily detach from within.
This activity was a fun and enjoyable experience, we've learned about formwork and falsework of an arch, and also how to create an arch using the real world methods. It was also interesting to see how other group's arch survived and failed the given tests, and some arches even had really interesting designs.
