Strength behaviour of steel arch supports with reference to loading distribution and joint position

Abstract Steel arch support behaviour has been studied in relation to mode of loading. Test results are presented which demonstrate that a standard steel arch support system can achieve up to a 4-fold strength increase by means of improved distribution of loading. Positioning of plated joints in the arch set has been found to influence the overall strength behaviour of such support systems. The amount of improvement available by repositioning the joints, however, is probably outweighed by practical considerations relating to support transport and roadway construction operations.