Design – Stone Arch Bridges

The Keystone

The keystone, while generally no more important than any other arch stone, does require some special attention to fit properly.

Effective arch thickness is the measure of how much of an arch’s thickness is supporting weight. This means that even imperfect arches can be strong.

The last few years of stone arch bridge building in Butler County, Kansas, brought improvements in design which were unique even to the state.

Stone arch bridges must have substantial and properly designed abutments in order to resist the enormous thrust of the arch without yielding.

The beautiful Minos West Ford Bridge built by C. C. Jamison in southern Butler County, Kansas was considered a masterpiece even in its own time.

While many historic stone arch bridges are too narrow by modern traffic standards, there are several viable ways to non-destructively widen them.

Using the state’s abundant native stone, Kansas built many stone arch bridges as an enduring and affordable means of bridging the streams.

Using solid backing material behind the arch of a stone arch bridge is a sure way to increase the structure’s durability.

The weakest point of a stone arch bridge of limestone is the waterline masonry, for it is prone to disintegrating in water.

Basket-handle arches have some unique, beneficial characteristics as well as some serious weaknesses as a result of their unusual shape.