In the method of design based on limit state concept,

the structure shall be designed~to withstand safely all

loads liable to act on it throughout its life; it shall also
satisfy the serviceability requirements, such as
limitations on deflection and cracking. The acceptable
limit for the safety and serviceability requirements
before failure occurs is called a �limit state�. The aim
of design is td achieve acceptable probabilities that
the structure will not become unfit for the use for which
it isintended, that is, that it will not reach a limit state.
351.1 All relevant limit states shall be considered in
design to ensure an adequate degree of safety and
serviceability. In general, the structure shall be
designed on the basis of the most critical limit state
and shall be checked for other limit states.
35.1.2 For ensuring the above objective, the design
should be based on characteristic values for material
strengths and applied loads, which take into account
the variations in the material strengths and in the loads
to be supported. The characteristic values should be
based on statistical data if available; where such data
are not available they should be based on experience.
The �design values� are derived from the characteristic
values through the use of partial safety factors, one
for material strengths and the other for loads. In the
absence of special considerations these factors should
have the values given in 36 according to the material,
the type of loading and the limit state being
considered.

limits of cracking would vary with the type of structure

and environment. Where specific attention is required
to limit the designed crack width to a particular value,
crack width calculation may be done using formula
given in Annex F.
The practical objective of calculating crack width is
merely to give guidance to the designer in making
appropriate structural arrangements and in avoiding
gross errors in design, which might result in
concentration and excessive width of flexural crack.
The surface width of the cracks should not, in general,
~exceed 0.3 mm in members where cracking is not
harmful and does not have any serious adverse effects
upon the preservation of reinforcing steel nor upon the
durability of the structures. In members where cracking
in the tensile zone is harmful either because they are
exposed to the effects of the weather or continuously
exposed to moisture or in contact soil or ground water,
an upper limit of 0.2 mm is suggested for the maximum
width of cracks. For particularly aggressive
environment, such as the �severe� category in Table 3,
the assessed surface width of cracks should not in
general, exceed 0.1 mm.
35.4 Other Limit States
Structures designed for unusual or special functions
shall comply with any relevant additional limit state
considered appropriate to that structure.