The arches in the Paris Catacombs use the same engineering as modern bridges
Deep beneath the streets of Paris, ancient limestone quarries utilize sophisticated voussoir arches and engineering techniques that mirror the structural integrity and load-bearing designs found in modern bridge construction.
The Paris Catacombs are a marvel of historical engineering, spanning 300 kilometers of tunnels that support the weight of the city above. To prevent collapses, quarrymen used voussoir arches to transfer massive loads, allowing the tunnels to withstand overburden pressures of 20 megapascals. These structures utilize the same geometric principles seen in contemporary suspension bridges to maintain stability.
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