allowable stress
The maximum unit stress permitted for a material in the design of a structural member, usually a fraction of the material’s elastic limit, yield strength, or ultimate strength. The allowable stresses for various materials are specified by building codes, engineering societies, and trade associations, based on specifications and methods of testing established by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Also called allowable unit stress, working stress. (Ching, 1995)
allowable unit stress, working stress