For Official use only

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(Railway Board)

INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR

THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
OF MASONRY AND PLAIN CONCRETE
ARCH BRIDGES

(ARCH BRIDGE CODE)

(Incorporated upto A&C Slip No. 9 dtd. 19.11.2019)

ADOPTED –1941
FIRST REVISION - 1962

Disclaimer: This Compilation is for educational reference only.

For details refer original correction slips.

ISSUED BY

RESEARCH DESIGNS AND STANDARDS ORGANISATION

LUCKNOW - 226011

VI-i
 CONTENTS

PAGE No.
1. SCOPE … 1
2. DESIGN LOADS AND THEIR METHODS OF APPLICATION … 1
2.1 Dead Load … 1
2.2 Live Load … 1
2.3 Temperature Stresses … 1
2.4 Rib-shortening Stresses … 1
2.5 Shrinkage Stresses … 1
3. SHAPE OF THE ARCH RING … 1
4. THICKNESS OF ARCH RIB … 2
5. ANALYSIS OF STRESSES IN THE ARCH RING … 2
5.1 Conditions of Loading … 2
5.2 Method of Analysis … 2
5.3 Existing Arches … 2
6. ‘EFFECTIVE LENGTH’ OF ARCH RING … 3
7. ABUTMENTS FOR ARCH BRIDGES … 3
7.1 Thickness at the skew-backs … 3
7.2 Forces Acting on an Abutment … 3
7.3 Conditions of stability … 4
7.4 Foundations for Abutments … 4
8. PIERS OF ARCH BRIDGES … 4
8.1 Thickness at Top … 4
8.2 Forces Acting on the Pier … 4
8.3 Conditions of Stability … 5
8.4 Foundations for Piers … 5
9. DESIGN OF RETURN AND WING WALLS … 5
10. ECONOMY IN ARCH BRIDGE DESIGN … 5
11. TYPE OF MASONRY … 5
12. WORKING STRESSES … 5
12.1 Masonry Arches … 5
12.2 Plain Concrete Arches … 5
13. FOUNDATION PRESSURE … 5
14. SEISMIC EFFECT … 5
15. SKEW ARCHES … 6
16. WEEP HOLES … 6
17. FILLING OVER ARCHES … 6
18. STRIKING OF CENTRES AND APPLICATION OF LOAD … 6

VI-ii
 Indian Railway Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF MASONRY AND
PLAIN CONCRETE ARCH BRIDGES
(Arch Bridge Code)

1. SCOPE may be neglected in designing or analysing

1.1 This Code of practice applies to arch arches covered by this code.
bridges constructed of brickwork, stone or plain 2.3 Temperature Stresses: Temperature
concrete. Any revision or addition or deletion of the stresses may be neglected in designing arches
provisions of this Code shall be issued only
in masonry or plain concrete, where rise-span
through the Correction slip to this manual. No
cognizance shall be given to any policy ratio is not less than 1/3.
directives issued through other means. (ACS 7 2.4 Rib-shortening Stresses: In the
dtd. 25.09.2007) design of arch bridges, allowance shall be
1.2 Open spandrel and reinforced concrete made for stresses due to rib-shortening under
arch bridges are excluded from the scope of thrust.
this code. 2.5 Shrinkage Stresses – Shrinkage
2. DESIGN LOADS AND THEIR stresses are neglected in the design of arch
METHODS OF APPLICATION bridges covered by this code. When the arch
is, however, built in plain concrete, steps shall
2.1 Dead Load - The dead load trans-
be taken to reduce shrinkage stresses by
mitted to the arch is assumed to act vertically.
concreting in strips and for spans exceeding
The horizontal component of the earth
6m, light reinforcements which may not be less
pressure acting on the arch ring may be
than 0.16 per cent of the area of concrete,
neglected.
shall be provided to resist residual shrinkage
2.1.1 The dead load shall include the weight stresses.
of the arch ring itself and all filling above it, 3. SHAPE OF THE ARCH RING:
also the weight of the road metal in the case of
road bridges and track and ballast in the case 3.1. In order to reduce the horizontal thrust
of railway bridges. and so to obtain economy in design of
abutments, piers and foundations, the rise of
2.1.2 For the purpose of calculations, the dead
an arch should be kept as large as possible. It
loads for various materials shall be taken from IS:
should not ordinarily be less than 1/3 of the
875 (Part 1)-1987 i.e. "Code of Practice for
span but in no case less than 1/5.
Design Loads (Other than Earthquake) for
Buildings and Structures Part-1 Dead Loads - 3.1.1. For spans up to 12m clear, a simple
Unit Weights of Building Materials and Stored segmental or semi-circular curve may be
Materials". (ACS 9 dtd. 19.11.2019) adopted as no marked advantage is obtained
by using multi-centred arches.
2.2 Live Load:
3.1.2. For spans exceeding 12m clear, the
2.2.1 Live Load: The live load shall be
shape of the arch axis should be designed in
the appropriate standard of loading
such a manner that the axis conforms as near
with longitudinal and lateral distribution
as practicable to the equilibrium polygon for
as laid down in the Bridge Rules.
dead load plus 50 per cent of the E.U.D.L
2.2.2 Dynamic Effects : The covering the entire span
Dynamic Effects Allowance shall be taken
as specified in the Bridge Rules.
2.2.3 Horizontal Loads on the Arch: The
effect of the tractive effort and braking VI-1
effect
4. THICKNESS OF ARCH RIB: (b) within the middle third if graphical or
other approximate methods are
4.1. The variation, if any, in the thickness of
adopted.
an arch from one section to another shall be
gradual and shall be fixed with due regard to 5.2. Method of Analysis: In analysing
the conditions of stresses, economy and masonry or concrete arches, the
appearance. elastic method of analysis should
For short spans, not exceeding 12m clear, a preferably be adopted. Either purely
constant section of arch from crown to analytical methods or a combination of
springing may be adopted. analytical and graphical methods may
be used. In practice the simplest method
5. ANALYSIS OF STRESSES IN THE would probably be a combination of the
ARCH RING: analytical and graphical methods.
5.1. Conditions of Loading : In investiga- 5.3. Existing Arches:
ting the stability of the arch ring, it will be 5.3.1. Except in case of gauge
sufficient to consider the following conditions of conversion, certification of existing arch
loading with regard to live loads – bridges as per para 4, chapter VI of Rules
for the Opening of a Railway shall be based
5.1.1. For short spans not exceeding 12m on physical condition of the structure.
clear, with a constant thickness of the arch When new types of locomotives and
ring, live load at the end 5/8 of the span. rolling stock are permitted to run on a
5.1.2. For short spans not exceeding 12m section for the the first time, bridges should
clear, with arch rings of variable thickness, be kept under observation as considered
investigation of stresses must be made at necessary by the Chief Engineer.
three critical sections with the position of 5.3.2. Heavier loading density or axle load over
U.D.L.specified in Clause 2.3.4.1 of Bridge those allowed at present shall not be permitted on
Arch Bridges with Overall Rating Number (ORN) 1
Rules as given in the Table-I below.
or 2, unless they are rehabilitated. However, at the
TABLE-I discretion of the Chief Engineer, such heavier
trailing load/increased axle load may be permitted
Moment on the existing arch bridges with ORN-1 or 2, if the
strength of the arch bridge is found safe after
Section Max. (+) Max. (-) conducting load test on representative span as per
Crown Middle 1/4 of End 3/8 the criteria indicated in para 5.3.3.
(ACS 9 dtd. 19.11.2019)
whole span (both ends)
Quarter End 3/8 End 5/8 5.3.3. The load test shall be conducted on Arch
Point (adjacent end) (opposite end) Bridge with Over All Rating Number (ORN) 1 or
2, only after complete pressure grouting of the
Spring End 5/8 End 3/8 masonry. The criteria for arriving at the safe load
Line (opposite end) (adjacent end) shall be:-
(i) Under the proposed load the crown
deflection and spread do not exceed
5.1.3. For spans exceeding 12m clear, (a) 0.75 mm and 0.4 mm, respectively,
stresses shall be worked out throughout the for span upto 1 m ;
arch, the number of sections depending on the (b) 0.75 + (L-1)(1.25-0.75)/3.5 mm and
span of the arch. 0.4 mm, respectively, for span > 1 m
to < 4.5 m,
5.1.4. The line of pressure under the condition Where , L is span in meter;
of loading enumerated above shall everywhere (c) 1.25 and 0.4 mm, respectively, for
lie, spans 4.5 m to 15 m
(ii) There is no residual deflection or
(a) within the middle half of the arch ring, if
spread after release of load; and
the line of pressure is determined
(iii) There is no crack appearing on the
by elastic theory.
intrados of bridge.
VI-2
Note: The above criteria will be applicable to however, be ensured that a proper bond is
segmental and non-segmental arches of span established between the existing masonry and
4.5m to 15 m provided the span/rise ratio new material by suitable means such as
lies between 2 and 5 (ACS 8 dtd.28.01.2015) dowels and post grouting through grout holes
5.3.4. In regard to gauge conversion, the
to be left while casting the jacket.
certification for the safety of all the arch bridges, 5.3.5.5 In all cases of cracked masonry,
whether sound or with ORN-1 or 2 shall be based whether in arches or in abutments and piers,
on load test on representative type of bridges. The that should be grouted under pressure to plug
criteria for assessing the safe load shall be the all the cracks before the additional material is
same as specified in clause 5.3.3 above, provided provided.
the following conditions are also satisfied. Special
cases, if any, may be dealt with on individual 5.3.5.6 The space between the new arch ring
merits by the Railways in consultation with RDSO. and the existing arch, in the case of
(ACS 9 dtd. 19.11.2019) strengthening below the intrados of the arch
should be grouted under pressure for which
(i) The condition of masonry and its grout holes should be provided in the new arch
behaviour under test load are ring.
satisfactory. 6. ‘‘EFFECTIVE LENGTH’’ OF ARCH
(ii) Type of foundation and nature of soil on RING:
which it is founded are suitable.
6.1. The effective length shall be the full
5.3.5. Strengthening of existing weak arches /
length from skew back to skew back. Where
arches with Overall Rating Number (ORN) 1 however spandrel filling with masonry or
or 2: concrete is done in conjunction with the arch
5.3.5.1 For strengthening existing weak arches/ arches ring, so as to provide proper bonding between
with Overall Rating Number (ORN) 1 or 2 method of the arch ring and the masonry or concrete in
jacketing at the intrados is preferable, if the
resultant reduction in the waterway is permissible. the spandrel filling the effective length of the
arch may be taken between the points
(ACS 9 dtd. 19.11.2019) obtained by producing the inside vertical faces
5.3.5.2 In the case of strengthening over of skew backs to cut the extrados as shown in
extrados of arch, the new arch ring should be the sketch.
designed to take the entire load, viz. dead and live
loads.
5.3.5.3 In the case of strengthening
below intrados of arch, the new arch
ring should be designed as under:-
(a) To take the entire load by itself
where the existing arch has transverse
crack(s).

(b) To take the entire load by composite

action with the existing arch ring, where
the existing crack(s) are all longitudinal
or there are no signs of distress in the
existing arch, provided effective bond 7. ABUTMENTS FOR ARCH BRIDGES:
could be ensured between the old and 7.1. Thickness at the Skew-backs: The
new arch ring. thickness at the skew back should be
5.3.5.4 In the case of strengthening of determined with due regard to the shearing
abutments and piers of arch bridges, the stress produced by the horizontal thrust from
design should always be on the basis of the arch ring, which shall be assumed to be
composite action of the new material acting resisted by the combined friction and shearing
along with the existing one. It should, strength of the joint. The coefficient of friction

VI-3
in this case may be taken as 0.7 and the safe (c) Dead load plus live load on the entire
shearing stress as given in Clause 12. span.
7.2. Forces Acting on an Abutment: For each of the above conditions of loading,
the line of pressure in the course enumerated
7.2.1 The forces acting on an abutment are
above shall lie within the middle half of every
as follows:
section of the abutment. The stresses at any
(a) Reaction from the arch. section shall not exceed the working stresses
(b) Pressure of earth at back. specified in clause 12. The shearing stresses
at any place shall be assumed to be resisted
(c) Weight of abutment and overlying fill. by the frictional forces and safe shearing
(d) Water pressure and buoyancy – These strength of the masonry.
should be considered when depth of
water may exceed 6m the calculations 7.4. Foundations for Abutments.
being made both with and without the
effect of the water pressure and 7.4.1 Arches shall only be built where
buoyancy acting together. foundation conditions are such that there will
be no risk of unequal settlement or horizontal
7.2.2 In calculating the thrust of the arch ring movement.
for designing the abutment, Dynamic effects 7.4.2 The permissible pressure on the soil
may be neglected. shall not exceed that specified in Clause 13.

7.2.3 The total thrust from the live load may 7.4.3 The line of pressure shall lie within the
be assumed to be distributed over the whole middle third of the foundation and every effort
length of the abutment, or a length bounded by should be made to keep it as near the center of
lines drawn at a slope of 1` horizontal to 2 the base as possible, to ensure a uniform
vertical from the bottom edges of sleepers to distribution of pressure.
the section under investigation whichever 7.4.4 The depth of foundation shall be
length is less. Over this length, the thrust due determined by the Engineer with due regard to
to dead load may be assumed to have a the conditions at the site but should not,
uniform value, corresponding to that produced ordinarily, be less than 1.25 m.
by the maximum height of the filling.
8. PIERS OF ARCH BRIDGES.
7.2.4 The active earth pressure at the back of
an abutment (which adds to its stability) shall 8.1 Thickness at Top The thickness at
not be taken to be more than the pressure of a the top shall be adequate to accommodate the
3
fluid weighing 2353 N/m (240 kg/m ). This
3 skew backs on both sides and to resist the
pressure shall be assumed to act over a height stresses imposed under the most unfavourable
from bed level to springing only, due allowance conditions of loading.
being made for surcharge of the overlying fill.
No allowance shall be made for the surcharge 8.2 Forces Acting on the Pier.
due to the live load.
8.2.1 The forces acting on the pier are as
7.3. Conditions of Stability An arch follows:-
abutment shall be investigated for the following (a) reactions from the adjacent arches,
three conditions of loading:-
(b) weight of masonry and fill and the
(a) Dead load plus live load on 5/8 span weight of pier itself.
adjacent to abutment.
(c) Water pressure and buoyancy with the
(b) Dead load plus live load on the other same provision as for abutments in
5/8 span. Clause 7.2.

VI-4
8.2.2 The provisions regarding dynamic 11. TYPE OF MASONRY:
effects and distribution of thrust shall be the
11.1 Arch rings shall be constructed either
same as laid down for abutments in clause 7.2.
with voussoirs of precast cement concrete or
8.3 Conditions of Stability: sound durable building stone, or brick work in
first class bricks and 1:4 cement mortar. Plain
8.3.1 The stability of piers shall always be cement concrete cast in-situ may also be used
investigated for the following two conditions of in which case reinforcement shall be provided
loading:- as per Clause 2.5.
(a) when only one of the adjacent spans
12. WORKING STRESSES;
carries live load – This condition will
usually give the maximum stresses in 12.1 Masonry Arches
the masonry of the pier. 12.1.1 Clause 5.14.3 of IRS: Bridge Substructure &
(b) When both adjacent spans carry live Foundation Code shall be
load – This condition usually gives the
applicable for the permissible stresses in Masonry
maximum intensity of foundation with Standard Mixes.
pressures.
8.3.2 The provision of Clause 7.3 regarding 12.1.2 Clause 5.14.4 of IRS: Bridge Substructure &
Foundation Code shall be applicable for the
the location of the line of pressure and the permissible stresses in Masonry without Standard
stresses, apply to the piers also. Mixes.
8.4 Foundations for piers – These shall 12.2 Plain Cement Concrete Arches - The
be governed by the same provisions as laid working stresses shall not exceed those laid down in
down for abutments in Clause 7.4. the Indian Railway Standard "Concrete Bridge
Code". It shall be ensured that standard of
construction and supervision are in conformity with
the codes.
9. DESIGN OF RETURN AND WING
WALLS 12.3 For certification of Masonry/Concrete Arches
provisions of clauses 5.16.2.2 & 5.16.2.3 of IRS:
9.1 The return and wing walls should be Bridge Substructure & Foundation Code shall be
designed in accordance with the Indian applicable. (ACS 9 dtd. 19.11.2019)
Railway Standard “Code of Practice for the
design of sub-structure of bridges”. 13. FOUNDATION PRESSURE

10. ECONOMY IN ARCH BRIDGE 13.1 Owing to the wide variation in safe
DESIGN: bearing pressures on foundations in different
parts of India, it is not possible to specify
10.1 In the case of arch bridges in high permissible bearing pressures which will have
banks, the height of the springing, the length of universal application. Designs should be
the arch barrel and, in the case of multiple based on local conditions and permissible
span bridges, the size of the span of the pressures may be established on the basis of
arches should be so fixed that the total cost of tests or on pervious experience. Normally,
the bridge for the required water-way is a foundations, unless resting directly on rock,
minimum. shall not be less than 1.25m in depth. It is,
10.2 In order to avoid excessive lateral generally, safe to increase the permissible
tension in the arch ring or excessive load on bearing pressure at the rate of 17647 N/m2
the ends of the barrel, the height of the parapet (1800 kg per sqm) for each additional metre
wall above the crown of the arch should, of depth below 1.25 m.
generally, not exceed 1000mm when the depth
of fill is considerable.
14. SEISMIC EFFECT:
14.1 Masonry or plain cement concrete
arches shall not be constructed in zone V.
VI-5
Masonry or plain cement concrete arches shall 18. STRIKING OF CENTRES AND
not be constructed with spans exceeding 6 m APPLICATION OF LOAD:
in Zone IV and 10m in Zone III.
18.1 The centers should not be struck before
15. SKEW ARCHES:
one week after the completion of the arch.
15.1 Skew arches shall be so constructed
that the courses are everywhere at right angles 18.2 After completion of any portion of the
to the lines of thrust. masonry of an arch bridge, the following
minimum periods of time as specified in Table-
16. WEEP HOLES: II below should be allowed to elapse before
loads as specified therein may be imposed on
16.1 Weep holes should be provided
that portion of the masonry:-
through abutments, wing or return walls, and
parapets, as may be necessary, adequate TABLE-II
arrangements being made to lead water to the
weep holes. 50% of 75% of Full
design design design
Description
17. FILLING OVER ARCHES: load load load
Ordinary 7 14 28
17.1 It is recommended that the depth of the cement mortar days days days
fill between the underside of the sleeper and and concrete.
the crown of the arch should not be less than
1 m. Rapid- 5 10 28
hardening days days days
17.2 Filling of a porous nature, such as cement mortar
brickbats or ballast, should be used to cover and concrete.
the whole extrados of the arch to a depth of at
least 300 mm over the crown.
17.3 Earth filling should be done in layers,
NOTES:
each being consolidated by ramming and by
sprinkling with water. Black cotton soil should 1. The expression “load” means the total
not be used. calculated load with the appropriate Dynamic
effects allowance specified for the speed at
17.4 In existing arches the filling should be which the load is permitted to run.
disturbed as little as possible as, after a time,
2. The above periods shall be suitably
the arch action in the filling relieves the arch
increased where the mean air temperature is
ring of a considerable portion of the
superimposed load. less than 160 C.

VI-6