What are Engineering Limits?

Engineering limits refer to specific threshold values that are considered acceptable for individual test results in engineering and construction practices. These limits are established based on material properties and performance requirements defined by existing standards, regulations, and best practices in the field. They ensure that materials meet the necessary criteria to perform effectively in their intended application.

In the context of soils and aggregate inspection, engineering limits help inspectors determine whether the material being tested falls within acceptable ranges for attributes such as moisture content, density, and compaction. If test results exceed these absolute thresholds, it could indicate potential issues with the material that may lead to failures in construction or impact the overall integrity of the structure.

While guidelines for quality improvement, relative thresholds for performance, and recommendations for future projects can be important considerations in engineering, they do not encapsulate the precise, specific nature that engineering limits provide regarding individual test results.