arch bridge: Quick Facts

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A labeled architectural diagram of a circular arch shows the keystone at the top center, wedge-shaped voussoirs forming the curve, and vertical supports on each side, with lines marking the radius and springing line.

Illustration of an arch bridge spanning two cliffs, with a green line along the curve of the arch indicating the path of compression forces through the structure.

Castel Sant'Angelo, a large circular fortress, stands beside the Tiber River in Rome, Italy, with a stone bridge crossing the water in the foreground.

Alcántara: Roman bridge

The Pont du Gard, a three-tiered ancient Roman aqueduct with large stone arches, spans a river near Nimes, France, surrounded by trees and rocky banks.

Great Stone Bridge

Old London Bridge

The Rialto Bridge in Venice, designed by Antonio da Ponte, spans the Grand Canal with arched stone architecture and crowds of people crossing above gondolas on the water.

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Topics

circular arch bridge voussoir keystone Arch bridge suspension bridge truss bridge cantilever bridge cable-stayed bridge beam bridge movable bridge military bridge viaduct

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The northern terminus of the Akashi Strait Bridge in Terumi ward, southern Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, west-central Japan. The bridge spans the Akashi Strait and links Awaji Island to Honshu.

Bridge Quiz