Arches are a curved structure with a high resistance to bending forces. As opposed to girder and truss bridges, both ends of an arch are fixed in the horizontal direction (no horizontal movement is allowed in the bearing). Thus when a load is placed on the bridge (e.g. a car passes over it) horizontal forces occur in the bearings of the arch. These horizontal forces are unique to the arch and as a result arches can only be used where the ground or foundation is solid and stable.

Arches are well suited to crossing valleys and rivers and are one of the more beautiful kinds of bridges.

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