The stones atop of a stone wall are fairly easily dislodged, especially for mortarless builds. Here are some ideas to help keep everything in place.
Author Archives: StoneArchBridges
B. P. Lindsey is a Kansas resident who has extensively studied the stone bridges of the Sunflower State, most notably those of Cowley County. He is a writer with a love of the past — studying how people lived and how things were done in the old days. He also enjoys physics and building things. He has a particular interest in masonry and enjoys experimenting with various ways to build stone arch bridges — including two completed stone arch footbridges. He always has plans for another stone arch bridge down the road. You can find him at StoneArchBridges.com.
A Classic Butler County Stone Arch Bridge: The Rock Creek Bridge
Though it has seen some damage, the stone Rock Creek Bridge near Latham in Butler County, Kansas by C. C. Jamison remains a favorite, scenic bridge.
Improving a Stone Arch Bridge’s Serviceability by Strengthening: Part 2
Here are several ways to strengthen a stone arch bridge, ranging from distributing loads over the arch to relieving the bridge from load altogether.
Improving a Stone Arch Bridge’s Serviceability by Strengthening: Part 1
To determine how to strengthen a stone arch bridge, it helps to understand how it behaves when overloaded in order to understand the forces at play.
Building Solid Foundations on Weak Ground
Where a stone arch bridge must be founded on soft ground, there are several simple steps can be taken to prevent settling of the structure.
The Wilson Bridge: Walter Sharp’s 1899 Dry Creek Bridge
The 1899 Dry Creek Bridge is the second oldest stone arch bridge in Butler County, Kansas, and has recently been given an excellent rehab.
Mortarless (Drystack) Retaining Walls
Mortarless stone retaining walls have to resist the perpetual thrust of the soil they are withholding. Here are several ways this can be done.
Mortarless Bridge Maintenance: Part 2
Mortarless stone arch bridges need extra care to ensure they are not overwhelmed by foliage and that friction between stones remains high.
Mortarless Bridge Maintenance: Part 1
A key concern when maintaining a mortarless stone arch bridges is how stones can be worked loose by vibration. There are ways to prevent this.
Update on Stone Arch Bridges of Butler County, Kansas
Butler County, Kansas has lost a stone arch bridge as part of a reconstruction project. Two more stone bridges are scheduled to be reconstructed.
