ASME Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The factor of safety is a critical concept in engineering that helps ensure structures and components can endure unexpected loads or failures. The formula for the factor of safety is defined as the ultimate strength of a material divided by the allowable strength.

Ultimate strength refers to the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being loaded until failure. Allowable strength, on the other hand, is the maximum stress that is deemed safe for regular use, factoring in uncertainties such as material defects, loading conditions, and environmental effects.

Using the ultimate strength divided by the allowable strength provides a measure of how much stronger a component is compared to what it is allowed to withstand in service. A higher factor of safety indicates a more reliable design that can handle unforeseen circumstances, while a factor of safety that is too low might suggest potential failure under normal working conditions.

This approach is fundamental in the design process, ensuring that structures or mechanical components are safe and reliable over their intended lifespan. Thus, the correct answer is grounded in the principles of risk management and structural integrity in engineering design.