The fill material within a stone arch bridge not only provides a roadway for vehicles, but also can strengthen the bridge… or cause trouble.
The length of time a stone arch bridge lasts is directly related the workmanship and foundations, with various treatments extending the bridge’s life.
An update on the triple arch Esch’s Spur Bridge (Pudden Bridge) in Cowley County, Kansas mentioning severe damage sustained to the middle arch.
The spandrel walls hold the fill of a stone arch bridge, and need to be correctly engineered to do so without gradually bulging and failing.
Partially collapsed arches are repairable, though such repairs tend to be involved. Of course, the cause of the collapse needs to be remedied as well.
A stone arch bridge, while an enduring structure in its own right, does need to see some basic maintenance to ensure maximum longevity and usefulness.
The double arch Andes Bridge in Cowley County, Kansas, is a beautiful structure in a scenic area with several local historical associations.
Segmental arches allow an arch bridge to achieve long spans without excessive rises, but require the ends of the arch to be firmly secured.
The Roman arch is a half-round arch shape and is a sturdy choice for small spans. Due to its rise and thrust lines a Roman arch has its limitations.
The NW 115th St. Whitewater River bridge in northern Butler County, Kansas, is a little known stone arch culvert built for the local township in 1907.