Valtschielbach Bridge

bridge, Switzerland

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July 14, 2026

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The Valtschielbach Bridge, constructed in Switzerland in 1926, is a deck-stiffened arch bridge with a span of 43 meters (142 feet). Swiss engineer Robert Maillart designed this bridge, showcasing his innovative use of reinforced concrete. Maillart's design demonstrated that an arch could be exceptionally thin if the deck beam provided sufficient stiffness. The arch of the Valtschielbach Bridge thins to just 23 cm (9 inches) at its crown and slightly thickens to over 28 cm (11 inches) at its supports. Thin vertical slabs, or cross-walls, connect the arch to the deck, allowing the deck to stiffen the arch and enabling its reduced thickness. This technical insight highlighted Maillart's profound understanding of working with reinforced concrete, a skill that led to a series of masterpieces.1

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Maillart’s innovations
Maillart’s Valtschielbach Bridge of 1926, a deck-stiffened arch with a 43-meter (142-foot) span, demonstrated that the arch can be extremely thin as long as the deck beam is stiff. The arch at Valtschielbach increases in thickness from a mere 23 cm (9 inches) at the crown…
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Maillart’s Valtschielbach Bridge of 1926, a deck-stiffened arch with a 43-meter (142-foot) span, demonstrated that the arch can be extremely thin as long as the deck beam is stiff. The arch at Valtschielbach increases in thickness from a mere 23 cm (9 inches) at the crown…
Read More