huangyhg

brick arch
i am building a home, and have a brick arch over an entry way. due to a mistake, the arch is wider and flatter than originally intended. i don't have any experience with masonry, and was looking for some guidance on how to confirm that this arch is adequate to support the weight of the brick and stone above it? here is a picture:
analyze the arch with loads, and assume pinned on top of the columns. watch out the thrust at support.
the one over the upper storey window and the one over the entry doors both look in proportion. the one over the entryway, however, looks like there is not much to resist the thrust. i wouldn't accept it.
i design steel frequently, but i'm not sure how to analyze this situation. i can model an arch in staadpro, but i'm not sure what material and section properties to use to simulate the arch? once i determine the thrust load, i'm not sure how to determine if that is acceptable.
hokie66, what are my options, to tear it out and start over?
do a web search for masonry arches and 'ring'. this is a program that was developed in england for checking historic masonry arches.
dik
it could be very messy, but if you could drill from the side of the arch, end to end through the wall and the ach, then you could put a rod, end plates, and tension it, eliminating the thrust problem.
it is the only solution i can think of appart of satisfying yourself that the arch is stable. it would be very messy but easier than tearing it down
i think the mason can provide beams bolted on the wall between the window & the arch to support the brick above. then rebuild the arch below to proper shape.
if the structural strength is the only concern, perhaps you could place a steel angle below the brick on the inside face designed to carry the weight above as a curved beam.
if the appearance is also a concern, you would have to rebuild the brick arch.
ba
my main concern is structural integrity, i can live with the appearance.
i have no experience with brick work, can anyone comment on whether the arch "looks" like it is adequate? i'm just asking for a gut feel based upon your experience, on whether the arch looks like it is adequate to support the weight.
thanks,

you might have to dig into design on masonry arche. the horizontal thrusts it exterts on the columns are the focusing concerns over both strength & stability. otherwise, it does not look too bad from the photo.
brick arches are not my specialty. the only time i have used them is when i had lots of wall on either side to take the lateral thrust. the arch over the main entryway looks as if it has been behaving well to date, but like hokie66, i have some concerns about the lateral forces acting on the jambs.
you may get some useful information on this link:

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