Abstract
In this study, a computer program considering shape imperfections of arch under dynamic loading was developed. The shape imperfection of arch was assumed as higher degree polynomial expressed as $\omega$$_{i}$ = $\omega$$_{o}$ (1-(2$\chi$/L)$^{m}$ )$^n$and sinusoidal curve such as $\omega$$_{i}$ = $\omega$$_{o}$ sin(η$\pi$$\chi$/L). In finite element formulation, the material nonlinear behavior was assumed the elasto-viscoplastic model highly corresponding to the real behavior of the material and the geometrically nonlinear behavior was modeled using Lagrangian description of motion. Also, the behavior of steel was modeled by applying yield criteria of Von Mises. The developed program was applied to the analysis of the dynamic behavior for the clamped beam subjected to the concentrated load at midspan and the results were compared with those from other research to investigate accuracy of the presented finite element program. In numerical examples, the shape imperfections of L/500, L/1,000 and L/2,000 were considered and the modes of shape imperfections of the symmetric and antisymmetric were adopted. The effects of the shape imperfections on the dynamic behavior of arch were conspicuous and results of analysis indicate that the reasonable values of arch rise to arch span ratio ranged between 0.1 and 0.3.