Longstanding Design: Roman Engineering of Aqueduct Arcades

Roman aqueduct arcades, such as those at the Simian Bridge and Vallon des Arcs near Arles, demonstrate that ancient engineers relied on geometric rules of thumb for stable arch design. Retrospective analysis shows these principles could predict structural failures, explaining why some arches required later reconstruction—often shifting from stone blocks to concrete. This shift suggests Roman engineers refined their understanding of arch stability over time. The study highlights the enduring effectiveness of these geometric criteria in preserving aqueduct systems that supplied water to industrial sites like the Barbegal Mill and the city of Arles in the first century A.D.

Wolfram, P. J., & Lorenz, W. F. (2016). Longstanding Design: Roman Engineering of Aqueduct Arcades. The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology, 86(1), 56–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/17581206.2015.1119484