Created By : Sunil Kumar Gandipadala

Reviewed By : Phani Ponnapalli

Last Updated : Apr 10, 2023


Factor of Safety Calculator determines the factor of safety on entering the inputs maximum strength and design load. Handy tool makes computations much faster and displays outputs in no time.

Maximum strength:
Design load:
Factor of Safety:
                 

Factor of Safety - Definition

Factor of Safety is a measure of amount of extra strength designed into a structure to withstand expected stress to have an increased level of safety.

Sum of weights building has to carry are called loads. Loads that change in the amount of force over time or change with position are called live loads. Loads that aren't mobile or maintain influence over a given area for long periods are called dead loads. These loads are known as stresses.

Factor of Safety Formula

You can find the factor of safety of a building by dividing the maximum strength of structure with the intended design load. We can express it using the formula

Factor of Safety = Maximum Strength/ Design Load

For a structure to be considered safe factor of safety needs to be greater than 1. If it is equal to 1 the factor of safety is equal to the structure's maximum strength is equal to determined design load. If it is less than 1 the building can fall at any time even before reaching the design load.

We can rearrange the equation to determine maximum strength formula and we have the equation as

Maximum Strength = Factor of Safety * Design Load

Maximum Strength can be obtained by multiplying the factor of safety with intended design load.

How to Calculate Factor of Safety?

Factor of Safety can be determined using the simple guidelines provided below. They are as follows

  • Firstly determine the factor of safety and design load.
  • Then, use the formula Factor of Safety = Maximum Strength/ Design Load and substitute the known paramters in it.
  • Simplify the equation and find the safety factor.

Example

Question: Calculate the Factor of Safety if maximum strength and design load are 250N and 15 N?

Solution:

Given that

Maximum Strength = 250N

Design load = 15N

We know formula to determine factor of safety is Maximum Strength/ Design Load

Substitute the inputs in the above formula we get the equation as follows

Factor of Safety = 250/15 = 16.667N

Physicscalc.Com has got concepts like friction, acceleration due to gravity, water pressure, gravity, and many more along with their relevant calculators all one under one roof.

FAQs on Factor of Safety Calculator

1. What do you mean by Factor of Safety?

Factor of Safety expresses how strong a system is than it is for a intended load.


2. What is the formula for factor of safety?

Factor of Safety Formula is given by Factor of Safety = Maximum Strength/Design Load.


3. How do you calculate factor of safety?

We can calculate the factor of safety by dividing the maximum strength of a structure with the intended load.


4. Can Factor of Safety be more than 1?

For a structure to be safe factor of safety needs to be greater than 1.