Notes for A3.2.9 Safety factor (SF) in structural design - IB | RevisionDojo
A3.2.9 Safety factor (SF) in structural design Notes
Safety Factor (SF)
Definition
Safety Factor (SF)
The ratio of the maximum load a structure can bear to its expected load.
Note
Safety Factor (SF) = Ultimate Load / Working Load
Ultimate Load: The maximum force a structure or material can withstand before failure.
Working Load (also called Allowable Load): The expected everyday load the structure is designed to carry safely.
Why Use a Safety Factor?
Unexpected Loads – Real-world forces like wind, impact or crowd movement are unpredictable.
Material Variability – Manufacturing defects or differences can weaken materials.
Wear and Tear – Over time, corrosion, fatigue, or damage can reduce strength.
Unlock the rest of this chapter with aFreeaccount
Nice try, unfortunately this paywall isn't as easy to bypass as you think. Want to help devleop the site? Join the team at https://revisiondojo.com/join-us. exercitation voluptate cillum ullamco excepteur sint officia do tempor Lorem irure minim Lorem elit id voluptate reprehenderit voluptate laboris in nostrud qui non Lorem nostrud laborum culpa sit occaecat reprehenderit
Definition
Paywall
(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.
anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Note
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.
Tip
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.
End of article
Flashcards
Remember key concepts with flashcards
15 flashcards
What is the formula for Safety Factor (SF)?
Lesson
Recap your knowledge with an interactive lesson
7 minute activity
Note
Introduction to Safety Factor (SF)
The Safety Factor (SF) is a crucial concept in structural design that ensures structures can withstand unexpected conditions.
It is the ratio of the maximum load a structure can bear to its expected load.
AnalogyThink of the safety factor like a safety net under a tightrope walker - it provides extra protection in case something goes wrong.
DefinitionSafety Factor (SF)The ratio of the maximum load a structure can bear to its expected load.
ExampleA bridge designed to carry 1000 kg with a safety factor of 2 can actually hold 2000 kg before failing.
NoteSafety factors vary depending on the application and the consequences of failure.
