Arch bridge

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/arch-bridge

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is an arch bridge and how does it stay strong?An arch bridge has a curved shape that turns the weight of cars and the bridge itself into pushes that go outward to the ends, so the bridge stays strong because the material mainly feels compression, which stone and concrete handle well.
2. Why did the Romans build arch bridges?The Romans used stone arches to make strong, long bridges and aqueducts that helped their empire grow, because the curved shape let them spread the weight safely.

Compressive Force: A force that pushes inward on an object, tending to shorten or crush it.
Horizontal Thrust: The outward and downward force exerted by an arch that must be counteracted by its supports.
Tied-Arch Bridge: An arch bridge where the horizontal thrust is resisted by a tension member (tie) connecting the arch ends.