An arch supports weight by controlling the forces at play in such a manner that they are actually used to strengthen the arch’s spanning abilities.
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.
Stone Arch Bridges: Spans and How Many?
The pros and cons and design logic behind multi-span stone arch bridges. Multi-span arch bridges are often necessary for spanning wide streams.
Building a Stone Arch Bridge
The basic process for determining where and how to build a stone arch bridge, with the DIY enthusiast kept specifically in mind.
The Esch’s Spur Bridge
The Esch’s Spur Bridge (Pudden Bridge) in Cowley County, Kansas, is a unique and famous triple arch stone bridge spanning Grouse Creek near Dexter.
The Hydraulic Properties of Stone Arch Bridges
Stone arch bridges, like any other bridge, need to be designed with the properties of the stream they are to span kept in mind to ensure long life.
Building Stone Arch Bridges: Arch Thickness
The thickness of an arch is determined by the arch’s type, span and masonry, with thicker arches generally being both forgiving and stronger.
The Choice of Stone for Stone Arch Bridges
While the stone for an arch bridge is generally reflective of local geology, different types of stone perform better in different parts of the bridge.
Stone Arch Bridges: Methods of “Turning the Arch”
Making the wedge-shaped stones necessary to form an arch can be challenging, often prompting builders to utilize easier ways to “turn” stone arches.
What’s in a Name?
Many cases the name(s) of a historic bridge reflect the bridge’s significance, its history, or local land owners past and present.
Stone Arch Bridges: Foundations
Many stone bridges were built with shallow foundations, often with various tricks added past and present to try to improve their stability.
Stone Arch Bridges 