Dictionary

structural failure en · NOUN

Etymology

From structure and failure.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Loss of the load-carrying capacity of a component or member within a structure or of the structure itself. Structural failure is initiated when the material in a structure is stressed to its strength limit, thus causing fracture or excessive deformations.
   • Three buildings in the World Trade Center Complex collapsed due to structural failure on the day of the attack.
   • Structural failure will occur in three minutes, 30 seconds.

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