Structural Engineering
Arch Bridges

The basic design of the arch was perfected by the Romans. Arch bridges are very strong structures. Each end of an arch bridge is anchored firmly with the bridge curving up toward the middle. Sometimes the path or road follows the curve of the arch, but this would only be practical for pedestrian traffic. Usually a straight roadway is built above the arch.

Pedestrian arch bridge in a Japanese park

   
Bixbie Bridge (photo courtesy of Dr. R. Loov)

Sometimes the roadway is carried below the arch and sometimes the arch is curved down and is in tension rather than compression.

Brisbane Bridge (photo courtesy of Dr. R. Loov)

   
This type could be used if there was a concern of wide loads damaging the sides of the bridge.

       

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world's largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge.

The contract for the bridge building was awarded in 1924 and took six years to complete. On days where the temperature varies greatly, the bridge has been reported to emit eerie wails and groans. The temperature variations cause considerable movement in the expansion joints of each truss. This sets up vibrations which cause the truss to act as an enormous tuning fork. ("The Work of the Bridge Builders")

(photo courtesy of Dr. R. Loov)

Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Florence, Italy

This bridge was built over the Arno River in 1345 and is still in use today. It is a segmental arch bridge which requires fewer piers in the water than the Roman semicircular-arch bridge. It has two stories. The top was built to connect the palaces and the bottom was built to house shops.

This was the only bridge over the Arno River that was not destroyed during World War II.

Picture taken 2002 (Kevin Myskiw)

Clava Cairns Railroad Bridge - Culloden, Scotland - uses multiple arches to cross the valley floor.

This bridge is just outside Chilliwack in British Columbia & has an arch span to allow the movement of tall ships along the Fraser River.

The Paulson Bridge spans a deep ravine in the
Canadian Rockies

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