Arch Bridges or Bridges with Arches, Elegant and Efficient Solutions to Cross an Obstacle

Abstract

For 2000 years, the basic material to build a bridge was wood or stone. The typical shape of stone bridges was the semi-circular arch. The first bridges made of metal were again arch bridges where the internal forces are essentially compression forces. The industrial revolution and the progress of the theoretical knowledge in the field of structural mechanics made it possible to design bridges with different shapes. Bridges with large spans were mainly suspended and also arch bridges. Today, the arched bridges are probably very well suited for crossing very deep valleys or rivers in an area without relief.