Two Types of Stone Bridges

Beam Bridges

• Beam bridges, also known as truss bridges, are among the earliest and simplest types of bridges constructed by man. These bridges consist of stone slabs placed strategically over an open chasm, body of water or difficult-to-maneuver area. The creation of bridges by stabilizing a single stone beam on supports at the ends to cross a space is still employed to this day.

Arch Bridge

• Arch bridges, which were first built by early Romans, are simply beam bridges curved to form a semicircular shape and held in shape by strong abutments at either end. This modification was made possible by a pair of "voussoirs," or stones wedged to create an inverted V-shape that allow for the construction of a curve to form an arch.

Famous Stone Bridges

• Priests and architects with knowledge of engineering were the primary builders of stone bridges until the 17th century. Some famous stone bridges include the Ponte Quattro Capi in Rome, the Pont d'Avignon on the Rhone River and the London Bridge, which was the first stone bridge to cross the Thames.