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In engineering, a factor of safety (FoS) or safety factor (SF) expresses how much stronger a system is than it needs to be for an intended load.Safety factors are often calculated using detailed analysis because comprehensive testing is impractical on many projects, such as bridges and buildings, but the structure's ability to carry a load must be determined to a reasonable accuracy.
The "factor" is sometimes called a factor of safety, although this is technically incorrect because the factor includes allowance for matters such as local stresses and manufacturing imperfections that are not specifically calculated; exceeding the allowable values is not considered to be good practice (i.e. is not "safe").
Ultimate bearing capacity is the theoretical maximum pressure which can be supported without failure; allowable bearing capacity is the ultimate bearing capacity divided by a factor of safety. Sometimes, on soft soil sites, large settlements may occur under loaded foundations without actual shear failure occurring; in such cases, the allowable ...
Safety engineering is an engineering discipline which assures that engineered systems provide acceptable levels of safety. It is strongly related to industrial engineering/systems engineering, and the subset system safety engineering. Safety engineering assures that a life-critical system behaves as needed, even when components fail.
In engineering, the ultimate load is a statistical figure used in calculations, and should (hopefully) never actually occur.. Strength requirements are specified in terms of limit loads (the maximum loads to be expected in service) and ultimate loads (limit loads multiplied by prescribed factors of safety).
A clear distinction is made between the ultimate state (US) and the ultimate limit state (ULS). The Ultimate State is a physical situation that involves either excessive deformations leading and approaching collapse of the component under consideration or the structure as a whole, as relevant, or deformations exceeding pre-agreed values.
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This diagram illustrates the nested/interlocking domains or factors that make up the 5M model used for troubleshooting and risk assessment, especially in traffic industries. Man, Machine, and Medium form three interlocking circles, with Mission at the intersection, and the space surrounding them representing the prevailing Management approach.