Fact of the Day: 17/11/2022

You may have seen arches in places like bridges, buildings, and many other forms of architecture. Why do you think arches are used so often? One of the reasons could be because they are incredibly strong. According to HowStuffWorks.com, “[an arch’s] semicircular structure elegantly distributes compression through its entire form and diverts weight onto its two abutments, the components of the bridge that directly take on pressure” (par. 1). The article specifically refers to arch bridges (bridges that include arches in their structure) and explains that the pressure and weight can be spread out to other areas of the arch. This keeps the pressure from building in a certain area and can reduce breaking and damage to the bridge or arch. Arches are so structurally sound that if one is made of stone, it doesn’t need mortar to hold it together (par. 5). Do you think it’s a good idea to use arches in so many types of architecture? 

Reference(s): https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge5.htm

Fact Author: Bailey W.

Fact Editor: Ace

We Hope to See You Again Next Year!