Some of the basic rules of masonry, which, if followed, help ensure the successful building of a sturdy stone bridge or other stone structure.
Category Archives: Construction
Stone Arch Bridges: Who Built It?
The stone masons and contractors who built stone arch bridges in an area, such as Kansas, usually had their own recognizable style of workmanship.
How a Stone Arch Bridge Supports Weight
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.
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 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.
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.
