Design of stone masonry bridges according to European treatises: Part 2 – Construction process

Abstract

In Europe, stone masonry bridges made up a significant part of heritage infrastructures. Their design and construction were the subject of several European treatises published in the 16th through the 19th centuries. However, the current literature is fragmented and incomplete. This publication consists of two parts: (1) the geometrical configuration and (2) the stone masonry bridges construction process. In the first part, a detailed description of their geometrical features and the materials used are provided. Moreover, a brief introduction of this second part is made by explaining the initial steps of the design. In the present second part, the construction phases are described, starting from the foundations up to the pavement. The investigation recovers valuable lost knowledge and serves as a basis for further research, with the ultimate aim of equipping modern engineers to intervene appropriately towards preserving the functional and architectural value of heritage bridges.