Author
WANG, J.
University of the West of England (UK), School of the Built and Natural Environment
MELBOURNE, C.
University of Salford (UK), School of Computing, Science and Engineering
TOMOR, A.
University of the West of England (UK), School of the Built and Natural Environment

Abstract
The assessment of masonry arch bridge load carrying capacity in UK has traditionally been undertaken using the MEXE (Military Engineering Experimental Establishment) method or a modified version of it. It is generally considered that the MEXE method is conservative and used as first stage assessment. There is, however, a growing concern that the current version of MEXE overestimates the load carrying capacity of short span bridges. The paper presents the derivation of the fundamental equations published by Pippard and which were used to underpin the MEXE method. The paper also demonstrates the possible reasons why the MEXE method might overestimate the load carrying capacity of short span bridges.

Key words
MEXE, masonry arch bridge, short span