Tag: Design

  • Bridge 99, Cowley County, K.S.

    The Importance of Compression Part 3

    In this series of posts we compare slab, truss, and arch bridges, and explain why compression is crucial to an arch. In this post we discuss the wear that occurs to slabs and trusses.

  • 1909 Walter Sharp Slab Bridge

    The Importance of Compression: Part 2

    In this series of posts we compare slab, truss, and arch bridges, and explain why compression is crucial to an arch. In this post we discuss slab bridges and reinforced concrete.

  • Wolf Creek Bridge

    The Importance of Compression Part 1

    In this series of posts we compare slab, truss, and arch bridges, and explain why compression is crucial to an arch and how the arch operating in compression makes it durable.

  • NE 110th Street Double Arch Walnut River bridge

    Some Numbers on Butler County’s Stone Bridges

    In this post we investigate in detail various statistics of the stone arch bridges of Butler County, Kansas, to give a clearer idea of what factors play into which bridges remain today.

  • Grant Township 251st Road Culvert

    3 More Additions to the Cowley Bridge List

    We recently found three more stone arch bridges in Cowley County, Kansas, which are not on Cowley’s stone arch bridge brochure. One of these structures is highly unusual.

  • Cedar Township 337th Road Culvert (6)

    13 More Cowley County Stone Bridges

    We recently found 13 stone arch culverts in southeast Cowley County that do not appear on Cowley’s stone arch bridge brochure. These culverts feature a unique local style.

  • DIY stone arch culvert

    When to Use Mortar?

    In this post we discuss the practical and economical advantages and disadvantages of mortared and mortarless masonry in relation to DIY stone arch bridge building.

  • Wilson Bridge

    Mortar Maintenance Part 1: Some Basics

    Repointing mortar is a regular maintenance item in mortared structures such as stone arch bridges. In this post we examine the value and limitations of repointing.

  • 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.