Safety Factor (Noun)
Meaning
The ratio of the breaking stress of a structure to the estimated maximum stress in ordinary use.
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- The engineer calculated the safety factor of the bridge to ensure it could withstand strong winds and heavy traffic.
- The safety factor of the new elevator was set at 10, meaning it could hold 10 times its maximum intended load.
- The architect had to reconsider the design of the skyscraper when the structural analysis revealed a low safety factor due to high winds.
- A high safety factor is crucial in aerospace engineering, where failure can result in catastrophic consequences.
- The company increased the safety factor of their new product by using stronger materials and reinforcing its weakest points.