Which term describes a design approach that focuses on satisfying specified performance criteria under various limit states?

• A. Limit states
• B. Load modifiers
• C. Limit States Design
• D. Strength design

Answer: (C)

Design to ensure performance under all relevant limit states is describing a methodology that explicitly targets meeting predefined criteria for safety and function across both ultimate and serviceability conditions. In this approach, structures are sized so that, under the specified loads and combinations, the performance stays within the allowed limits for each limit state. That clear, criterion-based philosophy is called Limit States Design. It distinguishes itself from the idea of limit states as mere states themselves, and from terms like load modifiers or from phrases like strength design, which are less precise descriptors of the overall design method.