Stone Arch Bridges

Tag: Design

  • Loaded Paver Arch With Backing

    Backing: A Continuation of the Abutment

    Backing is used to provide resistance to the thrust of the arch of a stone arch bridge. In this post, we investigate good practice and using the backing, and demonstrate how it helps to significantly strengthen the arch.

  • SE Satchell Creek Road Rock Creek Bridge

    Mortaring and Cold Weather

    Mortaring becomes dicey during cold weather, as freezes can destroy the integrity of the mortar, making it little better than chalk in properties. Here are some tips to extend the building season without risking mortar freezes.

  • SW 90th Culvert

    Stone Bridge Designs to Prevent Scour

    There are several ways to design a stone arch bridge to help prevent scour down the road. The correct foundation design and an adequate span are key to long-term stability.

  • 251st road culvert

    Why a Rubble Arch is Grouted

    Arches composed of rubble masonry are frequently grouted as the final part of the construction process. In this post we investigate why this is, as well as some details of this form of construction.

  • Black Crook Creek Bridge

    How Much Weight Can a Stone Arch Bridge Carry?

    How much weight a stone arch bridge can carry is dependent on several factors including arch thickness, arch shape, and weight distribution. In this post we look at these factors and how they relate to the whole.

  • Otter Creek Bridge

    Stone/Concrete Hybrid Bridges

    In the early days of concrete, stone and concrete were sometimes used together in bridges to create a unique form of hybrid construction. These structures can be durable, but have weaknesses due to the multiple types of materials used.

  • Andes Bridge

    The Forces of a Low-Rise Arch

    Low-rise arches present unique stability problems related to the high horizontal thrust coupled with a very low tolerance for shifting or settlement of the abutments. That said, low-rise arches can be built to be stable structures.

  • Thompson Bridge

    Which Arch Shape to Use?

    There are many arch shapes to choose from when building a stone arch bridge. In this post we look at some of the options, and examine the advantages and disadvantages of each shape.

  • DIY stone arch culvert

    What Determines Arch Thickness?

    The thickness of an arch is an important criteria to stone bridge design. It is helpful to understand how exactly the arch thickness is determined, and why the span-to-arch thickness ratio is a nonlinear relationship.