The term denotes the condition of a building or component that is capable of adequately supporting its intended loads without failure or significant deformation. A system meeting this condition exhibits the ability to resist forces and stresses in a stable and reliable manner. For example, a bridge exhibiting no signs of cracking, settling, or excessive vibration under normal traffic conditions can be described with this term.
Maintaining this characteristic is paramount for the safety and longevity of any built environment. It safeguards occupants from potential harm, prevents costly repairs, and preserves the integrity of the design over time. Historically, ensuring this involved empirical observation and craftsmanship; modern practices leverage engineering principles and material science to assess and maintain system integrity more precisely.
