Question

what is the definition of factor safety, and what does it mean to have a higher f.s. and a f.s less than 1

Answer 1

Factor of Safety : It is the maximum stress to which any member is designed is much less then the ultimate stress, and this stress is called Working stress. The ratio of Ultimate Stress to Working Stress is called factor of safety.

Factor of Safety for Steel : 1.85

Factor of Safety for Concrete : 3.0

Factor of Safety for Timber : 4 - 6.

Higher Factor of Safety : It is the ability of a system's structural capacity to be viable beyond its expected or actual loads. If factor of safety is greater than 1 is known as Higher factor of safety

Lower Factor of Safety : A factor of safety of less than 1 represents failure of structure.