RT Journal Article SR Electronic A1 Řeřicha, P. T1 Load rating assessment of masonry arch bridges JF Transactions on Transport Sciences YR 2008 VO 1 IS 3 SP 117 OP 124 DO 10.5507/tots.2008.017 UL https://tots.upol.cz/artkey/tot-200803-0004.php AB Simple formulas are developed for the mass scale load rating assessment of masonry arch bridges in terms of four geometrical parameters of the bridge. The ultimate load limit state and the repeated load limit state constitute the theoretical background. The formulas are constructed as the minimum squares best suited to a set of linear and nonlinear finite element solutions of a representative selection of the country's bridge stock. The formulas are quadratic in the arch span and linear in the arch rise, arch thickness and fill depth. The method can be used for other countries' masonry arch bridge stock; the data processing programme is portable. The structure of the formulas and the country's bridge stock representation can be adapted to local conditions. Nevertheless, new representations of bridge instances require rather demanding non-linear finite element solutions up until total collapse. This is the most laborious part of the formula's development.