Design loads

For the Ultimate Limit State, the design loads are taken as the characteristic loads multiplied by the appropriate safety factor; for the Serviceability Limit State unfactored characteristic loads are used.

The loads for which the structure is designed at the ultimate limit state are referred to as the ultimate design loads. These are simply the characteristic load multiplied by the corresponding safety factor. Note that for serviceability considerations it is the characteristic loads which are used since it is actual performance, for instance in terms of expected deflections, which is important.