Recent content by Dylman3003

But if the ellipse is completed, shouldn't the force downward be redistributed as a compression force against the top when (the load is centered) the bottom of the ellipse pulls downwards? In effect, shouldn't this new sideways force on the top directly compress against that of the top trying to...

What I'm asking is this: I'm researching bridge designs for a balsa wood bridge, but I'm wondering why that the ellipse of a curve of a bridge support system is never completed? I understand that bridge that had an ellipse bisected by a roadway would be impractical in reality, but would it be...