Sagitta of a Circular Segment

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Sagitta of a Circular Segment

Sagitta of a Circular Segment
\[h = r - \sqrt{r^2 - \left(\frac{c}{2}\right)^2}\]

Variables

h = sagitta height (m)
r = radius (m)
c = chord length (m)

Description

What is this formula?

This formula calculates the sagitta of a circular segment. The sagitta is the perpendicular distance from the midpoint of a chord to the arc of the circle.


When to use it

Use this formula when the radius and chord length of a circle are known and the height of the circular segment needs to be determined.


Example

If the radius is 10 m and the chord length is 12 m:


h = 10 - √(10² - (12/2)²) = 2 m


Applications

- Civil engineering

- Arch and bridge design

- Mechanical fabrication

- Geometry and drafting

- Circular tank and pipe calculations


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