"The recognized leading position of the author in this field of structural design and the extensive use of his system of arch construction in all parts of the world should be sufficient justification for presenting this book... The present work constitutes one of the most thorough treatments of reinforced concrete arches in any language. ...After a brief discussion of the fundamental principles of arches and a simple though comprehensive treatment of the stresses in reinforced concrete sections, there are presented analytic and graphic methods for the complete design of all types of concrete arches occurring in practice. The graphic methods which are given, permitting the use of influence lines, will be found very practical... The effects of temperature, of yielding abutments and of nonvertical loads are separately considered. ...In addition to the exact treatments, simple approximations and short cuts are introduced which will prove highly useful for preliminary and less exacting designs. Easily-applied formula are developed for determining in advance the best curve for an arch and the required dimensions and reinforcement. ...The principle of the Melan system of arch construction is fully explained and its inherent economy concretely demonstrated."