How is the factor of safety defined?

The factor of safety is an important concept in engineering that refers to the structural capacity of a system beyond the expected loads or actual loads. It is defined as the ratio of the maximum load that a structure can bear (usually the ultimate strength) to the load that it is designed to support safely (the allowable working stress).

When considering this definition, the correct interpretation of the factor of safety is that it must always be greater than one to ensure that the structure can safely perform under the expected conditions without risk of failure. A factor of safety that is between zero and one would indicate that the structure is not capable of supporting the applied loads, thereby failing to provide any safety margin.

Therefore, the focus should not merely be on a numerical value, but rather on the concept that dictates how safely and reliably a structure behaves under load. The term “between zero to one” as an answer option is misleading in this context, as a proper factor of safety must always ensure that it is greater than one to represent a safe design. This highlights the importance of understanding the practical implications of the factor of safety in ensuring the integrity and reliability of engineering designs.

In summary, the understanding of how factor of safety is calculated and its significance in maintaining structural integrity