In structural steel, how does the elastic limit compare to the yield point?

In the context of structural steel, the elastic limit refers to the maximum stress that a material can withstand while still being able to return to its original shape once the stress is removed. The yield point, on the other hand, is the point at which a material begins to deform plastically and can no longer return to its original shape, as it has surpassed the elastic limit.

When comparing the two, the elastic limit is typically lower than the yield point in many materials, including structural steel. This means that while the material can elastically deform up to the elastic limit, it will begin to yield and undergo permanent deformation after reaching this threshold. Thus, the correct answer asserts that the elastic limit has a lower value than the yield point, emphasizing the distinction between elastic behavior (where the material can recover) and plastic behavior (where it permanently deforms).

Understanding this relationship is crucial in engineering and safety applications, as it ensures that structural components are used within safe limits to prevent failure.