Yield criteria

Yield criteria are guidelines used by engineers to predict when a material, like metal or plastic, will start to deform permanently under stress. They help determine the stress levels at which a material transitions from elastic (reversible) behavior to plastic (permanent) deformation. Understanding these limits ensures that structures and components are designed safely, preventing unexpected failure. Different materials may have different yield criteria, which take into account factors like shape, loading conditions, and how the material responds to stress, ensuring reliability and safety in engineering applications.