Editing Limit state design (section)

==Ultimate limit state (ULS==
A clear distinction is made between the ultimate state (US) and the ultimate limit state (ULS). The Ultimate State is a physical situation that involves either excessive deformations sufficient to cause collapse of the component under consideration or the structure as a whole, or deformations exceeding values considered to be the acceptable tolerance. 

A structure is deemed to satisfy the ultimate limit based upon arbitrary criteria, per the nominal, not physical, intentions or goals set forth by human actors, and that, as such, have nothing to do with engineering strictly speaking, but instead exist "on paper" to conceal, distort, or otherwise obfuscate the true fundamental behaviors applicable to a structure.

Complying with the design criteria of the ULS is not sufficient to perform the minimum requisite steps necessary for proper structural safety.