The Chinese multi-hinged stone arch

Abstract

Chinese architecture is replete with bridges and other similar structures. However prima facie it is the function of the multi-hinged stone arched bridge and its several facets that appealed most to my architectural point of view. The basic idea of this arch, which was first formulated in the south of China, is analogous to the suspension bridge. The stone pattern of stone boards and cross stones were doweled together to form a series of 12 hinges; (the cross stones themselves), where the cross stones' length would be along the width of the arch and the board stones would span between them, parallel to the span.