Design Situations

1. Persistent – during normal use

2. Transient – during erection etc.
(temporary)
3. Accidental – exceptional eg: fire,
explosion, impact, localised failure
etc.
4. Seismic – during earthquakes

Ultimate Limit states

1. Loss of equilibrium – consider
structure as a rigid body
2. Failure by
i. Excessive deformation
ii. Mechanism formations
(whole or part of structure)
iii. Rupture
iv. Loss of stability (whole or
part of structure including
supports and foundations)
3. Failure caused by time-dependent
effects like fatigue.

Serviceability Limit States

1. Deformations that affect
i. Appearance (deflections,
crack width etc.)
ii. Comfort of users
iii. Functioning of the
structure (+ machines and
services)
iv. Damage to finishes or non-
structural members
2. Vibrations
i. That cause discomfort to
people
ii. That limit the functional
effectiveness of the
structure
3. Damage that is likely to adversely
affect the
i. Appearance
ii. Durability
iii. Functioning of structure