The St. Louis Arch Problem (UMAP)

This module is a solution to a restatement of a contest problem that had a major influence in correcting misconceptions about the mathematics, architecture, and art of the Gateway to the West Arch at the Jefferson National Expanaion Memorial. The module will give you an idea of how the architects performed calculations which deteremined the catenary they chose for our enjoyment. It provides application of hyperbolic functions along with a rich use of plane geometry.

Table of Contents:

THE ST. LOUIS ARCH PROBLEM

THE ARCH HAS EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE NORMAL CROSS SECTIONS

THE CENTROIDS OF THE NORMAL CROSS SECTIONS LIE ON A HYPERBOLIC COSINE CURVE

THE HIGHEST CENTROID POINT

HORIZONTAL CROSS SECTIONS

FINDING L AND Qb

THE PROBLEM SOLVED

EXERCISES

REFERENCES

SOLUTIONS TO THE EXERCISES

A COMPUTER PROGRAM IN BASIC FOR THE ST. LOUIS ARCH PROBLEM

EPILOGUE