Here is the number and percentage of stone arch bridges remaining in Butler County, Kansas that were built by the county with similar statistics for each builder.
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.
Lighter Stone Bridges
Stone bridges are inherently quite heavy. This can sometimes cause foundational or arch problems, prompting designers to come up with ingenious solutions.
Choosing Quality Rock
Even with a given type of stone, there can be considerable variation. It helps to recognize some basic signs of poor stone to ensure long-term durability.
Monitoring Stone Bridges
Regular checking on the progress of any and all deterioration of a stone bridge can allow serious problems to be corrected early, saving future expense and trouble.
New Resource Available: Glossary of Stone Arch Bridge Terms
We have now added a glossary of stone arch bridge terms to the start menu. This glossary features descriptions, links and even labeled photographs.
Two New Additions to Our List of Stone Bridges of Butler County, Kansas
We have added two little-known stone culverts to our list of the stone arch bridges of Butler County which we first learned about through newspaper research.
Different Classes of Masonry Part 3: Rubble Masonry
While rubble masonry is considered the lowest class of stone work, it still can be used to make enduring structures and is peculiarly suited to DIY projects.
Different Classes of Masonry Part 2: Squared-stone
Squared-stone masonry is a method of building masonry to achieve a highly durable structure without resorting to the difficulty and labor required for ashlar.
Different Classes of Masonry Part 1: Ashlar
Ashlar is the highest grade of stone work, and features extensive stone cutting and tight fitting joints. Ashlar work is difficult, but very durable due to the precision required.
Understanding Mortar in Old Bridges
The design of a stone bridge, which often reflects the era of its construction, determines how critical mortar condition is for long-term stability.
Stone Arch Bridges 