ABSTRACT
A limit state can be simply dened as the expression of a particular design criterion, e.g., exural capacity or deection. When possible, design criteria are considered as a total package. Some are more relevant to determination on the basis of a ‘failure’ calculation (e.g., exural capacity). Others (such as deection) are more relevant to conditions pertaining to the total working or service life of a structure. Thus, the two main categories of limit states are ultimate and serviceability.
