Walter Sharp, the famous stone arch bridge builder of Cowley County, Kansas, had a secret to building stone arches quickly and inexpensively.
Category Archives: Construction
Building Mortarless Bridges
Building mortarless stonework can be a challenge, but a simple look at how things move and what keeps them in place can bring rewarding results.
DIY Arch Building
Arches are among the most challenging pieces of stonework to build. Fortunately, there are some simple design tricks can simplify their construction.
Two Benefits of Cutwaters
For multiple span bridges, cutwaters on the piers provide some basic benefits which greatly enhances the structure’s resistance to floods.
The Weak Point of an Arch: The Arch Faces
The weakest point of an arch are the faces, for these faces are vulnerable to impacts and improper design can lead to the arch being destroyed.
A Critical Part of Arch Building: The Centering
A stone arch under construction requires temporary support until it is completed. This support, called the centering, must be strong and well planned.
Multi-Span Arch Bridges
Mutli-span stone arch bridges can be modestly challenging to build, but open up several possibilities for increasing waterway, if planned correctly.
The Significance of the Fill Material in Stone Arch Bridges
The fill material within a stone arch bridge not only provides a roadway for vehicles, but also can strengthen the bridge… or cause trouble.
Segmental Arches
Segmental arches allow an arch bridge to achieve long spans without excessive rises, but require the ends of the arch to be firmly secured.
On Roman Arches
The Roman arch is a half-round arch shape and is a sturdy choice for small spans. Due to its rise and thrust lines a Roman arch has its limitations.
