The aim of this doctoral thesis is the research of the plan curved footbridges with the deck supported by arch. The research is preceded by the survey of present findings about arch structures with upper deck. The summary of reasons and difficulties of design of plan curved structures follows.
The appropriate approach for design of plan curved structure is searched on the basis of methods for design of straight structure. The design of arch which is subjected to minimal bending moments is emphasised. At first, the structure is designed in the same way as straight structure and the limit plan curvature (for which the method is not suitable anymore) is sought. Then the approach based on method of inversion of suspended cable is examined and adapted for designing of plan curved arch geometry. The approach is thoroughly analysed through calculation model and experimentally verified on physical model in scale 1:10.
The process of design, construction and testing of the physical model is described in detail. Measured deformations and stresses are compared with expected behaviour based on numerical analysis. The comparison proves good correlation between calculation and measurement, as well as high load bearing capacity of the structure.