Category: Construction
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Working With Stone Part 1: Some Basics
Here are some basic pointers on selection and placement of the stones used in a stone bridge. This is part of a series on stonework, ranging from basic selection to cutting wedges.
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The Masonry Joints
Making tight masonry joints is probably the trickiest part of building stone masonry. Fortunately, there are several ways to tighten the joints easily. Then too, masonry can be forgiving.
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The Structural Significance of Solid Backing: Part 2
Solid backing provides some major structural support to stone arch bridges which use it. In fact, the backing can, to a degree, act as a load-carrying span in its own right.
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The Structural Significance of Solid Backing: Part 1
Solid backing is actually a major structural component of a stone arch bridge which uses it. One of its advantages is that it provides a more consistent stiffness behind the arch.
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Different Methods of Laying Arches
There are several ways to build a stone arch. Each method has advantages and potential pitfalls, but choosing the right one for you can make stone bridge building easier.
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Building Rubble Arches
Stone arches made with rubble masonry are easy to construct, and can be quite strong. The key to successfully building a rubble arch is in the laying and shimming of the stones.
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The Strength of a Mortarless Stone Bridge
A mortarless stone arch bridge can be quite strong, as the secret to a successful stone bridge is to keep all the forces in compression as opposed to “gluing” the stones with mortar.
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Using Feathers and Wedges to Split Stone
Feathers and wedges are simple-to-use and reliable tools that provide an easy means for obtaining reasonable slabs out of massive, irregularly shaped stones.
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Building With Stone: The Intermediate Stage
Often at some point a masonry project will start looking wrong in the middle of construction. However, it is important to keep building with the final goal in mind.
Stone Arch Bridges 